The Western news., 1904-11-23

And your gasped Mrs. Torrance.
II said yes, of course"
Eleanor" cried Lucetta, II am
scandalized by your conduct! Yes. per-
fectly scandalized! You will do moth
ing of the Sort"
Certainly not" said Mrs. Torrance,
developing hysterical symptoms. IF
your Cousin Brown intends to insult
us"
But he doesn't" pleaded Nelly.
"He intended the offer in good faith,
and l accepted it in the same spirit.
you surely do not mean to de-
grade yourself" cried Lucetta, 'by
turning-cook-for any living MANI"
Il don't see," argued Nelly, that it
is any more degrading to cook for
Cousin John that it would be to en-
broider slippers for him, or to read
the newspapers aloud to him of an
evening""
Eleanor never had any proper
pride," said Mrs. Torrance wringing
her hands.
"Neverv' echoed Lucetta.
"And," added Nelly. my cousin
would have every reason to believe me
an impostor If l told him wanted
work and then refused the offer he
made. 1t will be useless for you to
demonstrate, Lucetta, and hope man.
ma will not place any obstacles in my
way, for I am quite determined to 60
to Grandover Park this afternoon"
1t was 6 o'clock exactly when Mr..
Brown let himself into his house with
the latch-key which always depended
from his watch-chain. The gas-jet
burned softly behind the rose-colored
| shade in the hall, and the fire clicked
cheerily In the crate Of the parlor be-
yond.
"Humphv he muttered; "she hasn't
come. Thought SO! There is no such
thing as practical woman nova
days."
At the same moment light. white
aproned little figure came out of the
dining-room beyond. and Nelly Tor
RANGES voice uttered the words:
Dinner Is ready, Cousin john"
The old man smiled. He had a
pleasant expression on his face when
he smiled, and Nelly wondered that
she had not noticed what q handsome
man he was.
"Oh," said he; "you did come,
them"
Il always keep my engagements u
said Nelly. "Punctuality is the soul
Of business, isn't it, Cousin John? Al
least, that's what used to write in
my copy-books."
Mr.. Brown patted her hand as she
helped him with his overcoat.
"You are a good GIRL" said he.
And In his secret mind he determin.
ed to put up with any deficiencies in
the cooking Of girl who had such ex.
cellent business principles. But to his
infinite amazement there were no de.
fciencies to overlook. He ate and rel
ished and wondered by turns.
my DEAR" said he at last, when the
cloth was removed, "all is very nice
I'll concede you are tip-top house
keeper. But, of course, you ordered
all of this from Monerato's restau
rantY
But of course didn't, Cousin
Brown" said Nelly, decidedly. 81
cooked it myself"
Mr.. Brown closed his eyes, and made
hasty calculation. His life had beer
worried out of him." to use com
mon expression, by capricious house
keepers, inefficient cooks and untrain
ed servants. At last here was a gate
way out Of all his tribulatioins.
MY DEAR" he said, II should lik'
to have you come and live here"
LAS a cook, Cousin Brown?"
mo; as my adopted daughter an(
housekeeper. l need some one to taxi
the helm Of my affairs"
But my mother" hesitated Eleanor
"and my sister, Lucetta."
LET them come. too, there's plent!
of room in the house. Can they cook
tooY'
mo, Cousin Brown" confesse,
Nelly.
"Well. perhaps it's just as well.
said Mr.. Brown; "there can't be NOR
than one head to the household"
|
Portable refuge for the soles of thei
feet, and Nelly's despised accomplish
ment proved the sword wherewith sh
opened the worlds oyster. Lucett
| sighed, and wondered why she too ha
, not taken cooking lessons.
"Nelly is the old mans favorite.
, said she. Hell leave her his none
: when he dies. And all because she az
cepted the ridiculous offer Of turnin
( cook for living!'
Mr.. Brown. however. looked at th
? matter in a different light. He sait
\ "Nelly 10 not like the typical youn
0 lady. too lazy to work and too prou
I to beg. She does with her migf
? whatever her hands ind to do."-
Woman's Journal.
It Was No Dispute.
q whilo Sonat t0P Pettua waa ntrOllin