Mower County transcript., 1904-11-23

sn dsr2r. Gone to Father Crego's for
dinner. Jim Brown" .
Miss Halfway rose disconsolately
from the steps. II suppose the, well
hasn't gone away, too." she said. AT
least we ought to be able to get
drink of water"
Alas, the we'll was inside the wood
shed, as they could see by looking in
at the window.
| II hate people who are so suspi-
cious,". cried Eleanor. LAS if any one
would steal their old we!i!'
"There must be soiAe way OF getting
H." suggested Dick I'm going to
try anyway"
| He returned in a moment to report
an unlatched sash. and through it they
climbed into the kitchen. 1t was a
pleasant old room, with bright rag
carpet on the floor and a tall clock
ticking solemnly in one corner.
1.-The idea of their leaving this love-
ly, CHEEKY, homely place to take din
ner somewhere elsew said Eleanor aft
er she had had her drink and looked
about "Why, it's the place for
Thanksgiving dinner. 1t seems rather
criminal, though, doesn't it, she con-
hnued in a hushed voice, Ito break in
this way-rather robbery and burglari-
Gus? wonder If they would naind?"
"Surely not. We: are castaways,
aren't we, on desert island?"
Like Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Ale
shine"
Exactly. And there's even the GIN
ger jar on the mantelshelf," said Dick.
A sudden light Of inspiration came
into his face. 'There's a stove," he
remarked slowly, land wood, 1 be-
lieve, and pots and pans and dishes
and a pantry. It's a clear case Of
Providence. Can you-er-cook any
thlng?"
"Oh," gasped Eleanor, "but it's-1
can fry chicken if there was one-and
cream potatoes and''-
Dick walked to the pantry. Then he
raw, deep golden pumpkin pie. "Des-
sert," he said. "Now for the cellar"
I've got ltr' he called up a moment
later as he stood looking eagerly down
the stairs. Then he reappeared, pan
Of cream in one hand, q basket Of po-
tatoes in the other and chicken under
bis arm.
Chicken" cried Eleanor ecstatically,
'and cream! Oh, you dear, dear boy!"
She plucked an apron of nail and
rolled up her sleeves. "Now, 60 and
split some wood" she ordered, land
make the fire, and hll the kettle, and
then TIL tell you what else to do.
she ended, with mock severity.
Dick: obeyed meekly and was sent on
errands to the cellar for butter, and
to the pantry for suet (and he did not
know what that was, and she had to
go herself, which brought him scold-
ing), and to the barn for any eggs he
could find. Then he stood about In
the way watching Eleanor. enveloped
in voluminous check apron, her arms
dusty with -four, her eyes dancing as
she scurried about, now peeling the
potatoes, now looking wisely into a
bubbling saucepan, now basting the
chicken, stirring, tasting, seasoning,
burning her fingers and holding them
up for sympathy. Dick meanwhile
made toast and set the table and drew
a Jug Of cider and brought impossible
articles for her service, and with it all
wondered why any one had servants
when housekeeping was such glori-
GUS business.
And the dinner-it was very mira
cle-the chicken golden brown, crisp,
delicious; the potatoes creamy dream,
the pumpkin pie-well, Eleanor had
not made the pie, but still It was very
good. And, to crown the feast, there
was she, just across the narrow table,
flushed and radiant with triumph.
Hasn't tbeen 3olly?" Dick cried at
last, when the dinner was eaten.
TITS just been. the loveltest adven-
ture that ever was" said Eleanor.
TITS like fairy tale, like the three
bears. believe this is the house Of
the three bears-they would be named
Brown, you know-and I fear any mo-
ment to hear them come in and growl
out, Who's eaten up my bread and
rnilkY l am CHAD you are along to
protect me from their vengeance"
Eyes" said Dick, $50 am. l."
Eleanors adorable bare arms were
ON the table. There was such a lit
tie space between her hands and his.
A man might by leaning
"Yes. it's been glorious" said Dick
slowly-only can't it last, Eleanor,
dear?" He leaned across and took her
hands In his.
Her face sobered for a moment; then
she smiled.
IF you are satisfied with my cook
ing, I guess the place will suit" she
whispered.
-
Some hours later the Black Pearl
cane rolling up to the gate with Dick
at the lever.
Il knew it would go all right now
Eleanor said triumphantly. Next
time hope you'll believe me-" >.
! g"Well, l"had faith enough to try.
4 orvrov II ato ,.4nl nm aa II II novo,