Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-15

icing well dressed was significant of
the ten dollars a day.
Mrs. Botsford did not wait for the
chamber girl to answer the bell. but
hurried to the side entrance. The oc-
casion was too momentous for cere-
mony AS she threw open the door
the girl was bending over a fine clumr
OF late chrysanthemums that were
smiling daringly into the very teeth of
winter. Mrs. Botsford' heart warmed
toward her instantly. She loved flow
erS, and girl who could bend over
them with that look on her face was
not an ordinary workwoman. but an
artist. AS the girl looked up. smiled
nodded, and then came forward. Mrs
Botsford almost caught her in her
arms.
"Oh, my dear" she cried without
giving the chef an opportunity to
speak, you don't know how glad
am to see you. | will take you right
into the r1tcheG. and Sarah will show
You where everything is am so glad
shall not make a suggestion. for
see you are perfectly capable and car
do best in your own way. Only dc
make 1t just as-as comprehensive as
you can. Miss LenoX is accustomed tC
everything. and-and l want to make
her Ike me. so much and to please
Edward"
| She had been hurrying the che
through the hall toward the kitchen
nall laughing. half crying. but wholly
| joyous and anticipative. At the door
to her surprise and almost consterna
ton, the chef suddenly bent forward
pressing light kiss upon her fore
head
| IF you are as nice to Miss Leno>
as you are to me-" she smiled, 81 thinl
she will like you. Now you may leav,
me in charge | will do the best can.
Mrs BotSford returned to the draw
ing-room rubbing her forehead
thoughtfully
What's the matter. Julia?" her hus
band asked, another headache?"
"N-no." doubtfully. That's wher,
the chef kissel me. never had a cir
kiss me so soon before But I dom
care if only she diffuses her artist sou
through the cooking She has an arts
| soul, John; | saw II in her ewes"
At threa o'clock Mrs. Botsford wa!
again at the window: but there was M
carriage in sight. Two minutes late,
the telephone rang. She did not cal
Mr.. Botsford this time, but went to tn,
| telephone herself
What's that you say?" she ques
toned, presently, leaning forward a.
though in that attitude she could max,
the receiver at her ear more inteIligi
BILE, cant come? Why, that's too bad
But you will be here tomorrow. o
course? What? Will send note. Yes
We'll, come just as early as you can"
An hour later the note came Mrs
Botsford read it with perplexed face
then passed II to her husband
II didn't know she spelled her nam
that way, john" she said. though O
course we never saw it spelled out. On
can never tell much from pronuncia
ton. And-and I'm afraid she's not S,
! VOL 4pcated as we thought Sh
1 comes from the west. YOU know. an,
lots of families get rich quickly on
there And. OF course. lovers opin
ion isn't always reliable Poor Ed
ward!"
II
| opened the note. which read:
Dear Mr.. and Mrs. Botsford:
Sorry | cannot come according I
agreement. Imperative summons else
, where. Will see you tomorrow.
Faithfully. etc,
IN LEHKNOCKS"
Rather abrupt for good form. ism
1t" queried Mr.. Bots ford; land doesn'
there seem a suggestion of Jew amon
the ances; ors. or is it German or Irish
The combination might masquerade al
most any nationality that's foreign
> But never mind, Julia We must be a
, nice TO her as we can. for Edward
sake"
At nine o'clock that night. after tn
decorations had arrived and been ar
ranged in the various rooms to thei
. satisfaction, Sarah suddenly burst upo
! them with face full of CONSERVATION.
"The chef" she gasped. Didn't V
say she was goin' to stay to-morry ar
the next dav?"
Certainly; why?"
Because she's gone-left entirely.
was at the range. watchin' the roas
L oh ShC Nphit III VIII lltI max on al
said that everything was all ready. so
could attend TO it now. An she LEI
this note for We"
But why did she go?" gasped Mr..
Botsford. 81 thought"
"She said everything was all right,
Sarah repeated, stolidly. IAN that
could attend TO il now. There" as
clear car t.nllle sounded outside. that
her car startin' now. She said sh
wanted to catch the nire o'clock"
Mrs. Botsford opened the note wit
trembling fingers. AS she read sh
frowned, looked mortified, laughed
and finally passed the note to her hus
band with shining eyes shes a
right" was her only comment.
The note read:
t'Dear Mrs. Botsford:
"You really must forgive me. I ha
an errand down town, and so called {
your house a little earlier than | il
tended, thinking I would stop there
while and then perhaps you and
Il IL 81