New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-20


was. in imagination. sounding pean of vic
tory His sallow cheeks were slightly flushed
and he thumped the gong with a rapturous
energy. When he saw me he stopped short and
gave to an excited giggIe
Say Miss Dean" he whispered as he fol-
lowed me into the dining room, I've settled it
ali for you. The housekeepers room amt fit
place for you. downstairs among the help so
1 just UP and told the Boss as much and he
said 'Certingly; of course" My"-with another
wild giggle-"wont the girls be mad Then,
seeing Mr.. Erranu coming from the library. he
became exceedingly dignifed and stately. and
relapsed into deferential silence.
Little was said at breakfast. Mr. Erranti was
preoccupied. and l rarely have anything to say.
Less that morning than usual, because of my
bitter thoughts. BY and by Mr. Erranti. push
ing away his sour fabby roll with air of
disgust. caught my eye and said
I like good bread, Miss Dean, but Norah
can't make ii. I must see if there is good
baker at Droneton. or import bread from town
Il can't stand this stuff"
Yet it's so easy to make" I said, and sighed.
You think so, perhaps" smiling good humor-
eddy. as if tolerant of child's nonsense; but
IT may be difficult than you imagine"
looked at my employer gravely. II was
many. many years since I had been treated as
a child. There was a teasing light in the dark
eyes. and my remark amused him.
Il have never found it difficult" I said quiet
ly
Mr.. Erranti laughed. He thought I was talk
ing for effect.
Il wish you'd give Norah few hints on the
subject, then You might teach her howl"
He spoke in jest. but l seized my opportunity
Il have your permission to try?"
Indeed YOU have nv child" was the Iaugh-
ing answer as he rose and lef. the room.
I looked at Claude. Would he be my wit
ness downstairs. if my right to enter there We're
questioned?
You bet I'll stand by you" he said under
standingly Land O. Goshen. Miss Dean, but
you're in for it,"
I quite agreed with him. Asking to be told
when breakfast belowstairs was over. I went
out the veranda to await the awful inter
view. Some time passed before Claude-his
sallow face white with suppressed excitement
reappeared, and solemnly beckoned me to fol-
low him. AS he crossed the hall with mfncing
step it my mind that I had heard he
was keeping company with Norah Dolan had
impaired this information to Anthony Cray.
, who had told Julie. who had told Madam.
who had passed the intelligence on to me.
had hardly time to realize that this might COM
plicate matters before was in the headquarters
of the enemy.
Norah was handsome creature. stout rosy.
blue eyed. Pretty brown hair curled thickly
about her broad. white forehead. Her cotton
frocks spotlessIy clean. fitted neatly, and in
stead of a collar she wore chain of thin gold,
twisted many times around her throat. She was
thirty, seven years older than Claude, a point
on which she was said to be sensitive. She
was picture, standing. arms folded, in the cen
fro Of
that warm June morning. with fierce defiance
in her blue eyes.
Miss Dean. this is North" said the excited
Claude, solemnly performing the ceremony Of
introduction. ''Norah. here's Miss Dean come
to see you
"Oh. indeed" calculated Norah. tossing her
head angrtly.
She neither offered me q chair nor vouch-
safed any answer TO my civil words Of greeting.
Two maids were in the kitchen, one embar-
raised, the other. Ellen, housemaid. eagerly
expectant of battle. While stood silent. won
dering how I might rid myself of these women
and speak to the cook alone. Claude, nettled by
his lady loves rudeness, took her to task.
For the lands sake, Norah," he exclaimed.
amt you never goin' to ask Miss Dean to be
seated? If you won't then I will angrily seiz-
ing a chair and placing it behind me with a
thump. zone would think. to you. you'd
never been learnt Manners
Il don't need you to teach me, anyways,
Claude Raffarty" cried the indignant Norah.
her eyes flashing "I'll thank you to walk out
Of my kitchen and mind your own business.
Manners indeed! Where's yours. I'd like to
know
I'm ashamed Of you, Norah MIIigan" was
the sharp retort Il should think you was old
enough to know better!"
This shot told. Face flushed and arms
akmbo. Ncrah turned upon her young man"
7 mayn't be young some folks'-with
whitening scorn-"but, thank God I've got me
own teeth in me head yet. anyways
This sally won applause from Ellen, Claude's
had come for me TO bring the unpleasant scene
to a close Holding up my hand to impose
silence, I babe Claude return to his duties in
the pantry; then, turning swiftly upon the
housemaid, I reminded her of her neglected
work.
Mr. Errant is at home" I said. severely;
neglect will no longer pass unnoticed." and
when she with Claude. had left the kitchen,
told the cook plainly of his comments upon her
bread. How shall you like your masters going
to a baker for bread? Yet he must when you
send up rolls that are both sour and fabby. A
strange combination. Norah."
'P'raps you's thinkin' you could make bet