Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-07-29
A GODDESS IN GINGHAM

When Emily Barrett reached this
decision she felt h a her problem
was already half solved.
She had been q membe OF her un-
cle's household only one week. and all
ready she felt the intolerableness or her
position.
Recently left alone and dependent up
on the hospitality of relatives, n had
accepted her uncle's invitation temper
arily until she could find some means
Of supporting herself. Her proud spir-
1t chafed at the mere thought OF de-
~pendence, and she would consent to
no other arrangement.
In the small town where her uncle's
family shown as leading lights the ad-
vent of Emily caused a stir.
The Barrett girls-her cousins-had
neld the indisputabie title to being the
prettiest and most popular of the city's
bellies.
Emily's coming diverted the interest
most decidedly. She possessed a dis
tinction OF personality quite rare in the
community. Coming from an eastern
metropolis. she had an air n a style
tantalizingly difficult to analyze. Above
all, she was sweet and natural.
The inevitable thing happened. 1t
was the old story of feminine jealousy
and S~elfishneSS. The attitude OF her
aunt h cousins ward her became
daily more uncomfortable.
Better be a domestic in some ones
kitchen than an unwelcome guest in
the house of jealous re~latives!" storned
Emily in her heart, after an exceeding
ly humiliating experience.
That afternoon she heard a conversa-
ton between her u and a caller
Mrs. Truesdale.
Il shall nave to give up altogether
If l cannot find a cook" declared the
latter. The question grows more
- 49, r. -
outcome of the servant proDlefR? The
answer seems eternities away. Why
don't young women of intelligence and
talent take up the study of housekeep-
ing-I mean as a profession, not mere
ly as a mere accomplishment? That
Is what we need"
"Oh, but; my lea Mrs. Truesdale!"
demonstrated Emily's aunt, you
wouldn't expect girls of refinement and
education to put their talents to such
use. Really"
How could they put them to better
use? Let me tell you, Mrs Barrett,
that If cooking and the other domestic
accomplishments were TO be classed
with the arts M sciences n uni
versally acknowledged as such the field
would be overcrowded by our ambi-
tious, intellectual maidens, striving to
achieve honors in those branches of
learning. II / could inc some really
talented, cultured girl to take into my
home l would willingly give my time to
her training. But ! presume the find
ing of such a prize in his world, under
the present servant girl system is out
OF the question"
Emily listened, her face glowing. her
eyes alight.
Il can cook" she murmured tri-
umphantly under her breath. How
glad / am that / learned at home. And
/ always did love housekeeping. After
all, / have a talent hat | can put to
practical use: / can be independent
/ will bel"
She said as much to Mrs. Truesdale
when she called at the latter's beauti-
full home on the outskirts OF the town
the next morning.
Her aunt's friend gasped in astonish-
ment as she listened,
You can't mean ii, Miss Emily" she
exclaimed. She was one of the girls
warmest admirers. You really can't
mean what you say!"
But / do" persisted Miss Barrett.
] wish you'd give me a trial, at least.
Please grant mi his much anyway"
1T seems too good to be true" said
to consent"
OF course, her aunt and cousins rave
vent to a chorus of hysterical screams
when Emily told them.
You've ~disgraced us forever!' ragged
Rosa, the eldest of the Barrett girls.
THE T~ruesdales of all people! Don't
you know that Larry T~rueSdale and t.
are-are-the greatest friends? What
in the world will he say when he re-
turns from college to find my cousin
acting as his mothers cook 2" Her eyes
were twin flames of Indignation.
I'm very sorry" replied Emily. Il
had no idea Mrs. Truesdale had a son
NJ fhnf Irnf md hn araya n ~ .aal Il ~
Il didn't say we We're, did II"
snapped Rosa. sAnd I'm not likely to
be now. You've disgraced the Barrett
name In this town for good"
It's -outrageous," stormed Mrs. Barr
rett. And you might as well under
stand, Emily, right from the start, that
we are not going to recognize you in
any way after this. You must expect
us to strike you from u list alto
gether."
VERY well. I'm satisfied !, wee The
cheerful rejoinder. Emily's hat brim
hid the amused smile in her clear hazel
eyes.
The next day she began work in the
Truesdale home. From the moment her
strong young hands took hold of the
domestic machinery a magic trans
formation came over the place.
Mrs. Truesdale marveled daily at the
increasing harmony of household ar
tAhGtbi%AAAC III NOlllCICu WHY ldlt fidl
selected her as a recipient of such
good fortune.
It's all too good to be true she de-
clared. Then the instructive fear of
the human mind that it will lose the
prize 1t has won began TO harrass her
thoughts.
IF | should lose Emily ii would BE-
worse than If / had never known her.
II have grown to love her so--and /
know / must lose her some time
But fate had that all arranged for
and SO had Cupid. The little god usu-
ally a~ccomplishes his object when his
bow Is bent Upon 1t.
When Larry TruesdaIe returned from
college and found presiding over his
mothers home a veritable divinity
whose manifold accomplishments in
cluded the choicest he had ever dream
ed OF In his pictures of an ideal wife,
1t Is scarcely to be wondered at that
he fell ~headlong into loves beautiful
abyss.
Rosa Barrett tainted when she read
the announcement of Larry's ngage
ment to Emily.
acknowledgements" was all Mrs. Bar
retts trembling tongue could utter.
Mrs. TruesdaIe's M was quite
different. Its what l hoped and pray
ed for. h murmured, and she
Csc EnrA knf EME