Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-01-30

young mans heart. AS rule. a sub
altern home on leave is not the per-
son one would naturally apply to for a
cook, but Miss Drury was at her wits
end. Felix knitted his brows and
thought hard for minute, at the end
of which time brilliant inspiration
came to him.
Look here, Aunt Minnie" he ex-
claimed suddenly, don't you worry
any more. I'll go straight up to town
| first thing tomorrow, and I'll find you
cook somehow, and bring her back
with me in the afternoon.
Miss Drury looked at her nephew
with tears in her eyes. Felix" she
said solemnly, ''if you get me out of
this difficulty you may ask me for any
thing in the world"
Felix was as good as his word. He
departed for town directly after break
fast next morning, smiling good-hu-
moredly at the chaff of his fellow
guests, and reappeared triumphant in
the afteroon proudly escorting the
new cook.
1--WE brought her, Aunt Min," he
announced, rushing excitedly into Miss
Drury's boudoir "She was at the
Rawson's last summer, and an uncom-
monty good cook she is. Blair is her
name, it's a great piece Of luck that
she was disengaged, you know"
Miss Drury went hurriedly down.
stairs to inspect the new arrival and
to explain to her the arrangements
for the evenings dinner
IL was a little taken aback at first"
she said latter on to her nephew.
Blair looks so young and so pretty,
and so-er-refined, but she seems
very capable and fully qualified to
send up an excellent dinner"
Yes" replied Felix, eagerly, "she
has had course of cooking lessons
at South Kensington. l believe she is
no end Of a swell at it,"
Really, my dear boy" said Miss
Drury, looking affectionately at her
nephew. 81 am most touched by the
interest you have shown in this domes-
tic difficulty and the trouble you have
taken. If only Blair does not falsify
our expectations l shall owe you a
debt of gratitude"
The dinner proved an immense sue
cess, and even Miss Drury had to con-
fess that Parkins could not have done
better. AS for Sir Gregory, he
chuckled with delight and went stead
lily through the menu from beginning
to end.
''Rno11v INV bo
said when at length he was obliged TO
desist, that cook of yours has sur
passed herself. | don't know when |
have eaten better dinner; that souf-
ae was simply a work of art"
Only one contretemps marred the
harmony of the evening and FORUM
ately Miss Drury did not witness This
little incident, as it occurred when the
ladies had retired to the drawing
room.
Felix was doing the honors of his
aunt's table when the sound of a scuf-
fie arrested his attention, and with
hasty excuse to his guests he left the
room and rushed into the passage,
where he found an ardent young foot
man trying vainly to embrace very
angry but bewitchingly pretty young
woman in a white cap and apron.
You impuient wretch!" she was
saying. "how dare you try and kiss
me? Mr.. Livingstone, help"
Felix turned on the man in a per-
feet fury and dragged him away.
John" he said, looking as if he
could have killed him with pleasure,
leave that lady alone at once and
clear out. Here are your wages. Go!"
The man gazed at him, dumb with
surprise.
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Felix" he
stammered at length, Il meant no
arm. I often used to kiss Mrs. Par
liins. didn't know as 'ow Miss Blair
would mind"
The cooks angry face relaxed. and
she burst into a peal of laughter, in
which, after some hesitation, Felix
Joined
"Never mind, John" she said "Ill
forgive you this once. only don't try
it again. | dare say Mr.. Felix will al
low you to stay if You behave your
SELF
Felix nodded impatiently, and the
man fed to the lower regions, but it
was some minutes before Miss Blair"
took her place at the servants hall
supper looking rather flushed, or be-
fore Felix rejoined the men in the din
| ing-room.
Parkins's illness lasted a week, and
throughout that time Blair continued
to charm the palates of the inmates of
Woodlands. All the same, Miss Drury
was rather relieved when the last day
Of the temporary cooks stay came,
for try as she would to disbelieve the
evidence of her senses, there was no
| Disgusting the fact that Felix was al
ways hanging about the Kitchen on
| some pretext or another. That her
nephew could so far forget what was
! due both to himself and TO her, as 10
even carry on mild Irritation with a