Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-01-09

as he thinks himself. But look here. my
dear" she added. growing suddenly CON
fdential. "this affair Of Mrs. lIackett's
amt thing to he talked about"
NO" said the maid solcmnly; she
would not breathe n word.
The maids mother. who was perhaps
the most inveterate gossip IN the town
ship. promised a similar secrecy.
"And now" said Hepzibali. "have you
left your place, or are you going back
againY'
"l've got to go back for my things"
said the maid. "and I've come to get
mothers whcelbarrow to bring 'em home
on"
"Well. then" said Hepzibah. "you he
there In half an hour In the back kitchen.
and shall come around to you and have
something to say to YOU"
There was an mir Of benevolent mys.
terry about Hepzibah rs she said this.
which excited the curiosity both Of maid
and mother; but she contented herself by
mystic mods and smiles. and having se-
cured her supply Of fruit. departed. She
left the basket mt her mistress house.
and ran with n gaunt and jerky gait. at
which anybody unacrquainted with the
nature OF her errand might have laugh
ed. to her mothers.
Has that rabbit pie been cut into
yetT' she demanded breathlessly.
Ne said her mother. Il was a'keep-
In IT Tor tomorrow.
| Hepzibnli marched strnightway to
cupboard In the corner OF the Kitchen,
and there possessed herself OF SUB.
stantial pie. which she proceeded to fold
up In snow-white cloth. when she Sc
cured by half dozen pins drawn from
different parts Of her own person. The
old woman looked on at this for while
In dumb nstonishmcnt.
what OH EARTH" she asked at last.
"beest goin' TO do with the pie! 1t isn't
like you. Hepzibnh. to come md steal
your mothers victuals."
I'LL get time tonight" said Hepzibnh.
'and come up and make new un; but
! want this now" And to the old lady's
infinite establishment she took up the
pastry aud marched of with II, still
brcnthless from her run.
She bore II straight to Mrs. Hacketts
house, and. entering by the bnck door.
confronted the maid, who was already
there awaiting her.
"Now, mind you," said Hepxibah,
warning the mnid with great solemnity,
"what YOU have got to do now has got
TO he handled very proper and polite
You've got to take this here pie to Mrs.
Hnckett. with Mrs. Blanc's best compli
ments, and 10 say"--and here Hepxibnh
began to blush and had some difficulty In
eucountering the maids glance-"you've
got to say m Mrs. Blame had two o
these made. expecting company as never
came. and us she's afraid as it'll grow
stale upon her hands, and as she hopes
that Mrs. Hackett will be 10 good as to
accept Of IT,"
Now. this IL by no means an uncOm-
mon form of rural civility; but 1t hap
pened. unfortunately for Hepzibah's
fraud, that Mary Hackett and Mrs.
Blame had never been on terms to offer
each other this sort OF homely rustic
kindness. Ana when llepzlbah hnd gone.
ana the maid, nothing doubling the story
she had to tell. but being fully able to
divine the real intent OF the gift. ap-
preached her mistress with the pie and
Hepzibah's tale together. 1t seemed to
Mary's outraged feelings the cruelest in
suit she had yet received. She was n
little creature; hut for n mere instant
she seemed to tower. and she stood over
the trembling maid like statue Of in
dignation. 1t cost her much trouble to
quiet herself, but In little while she
succeeded.
Take the pie back to Mrs. Blame with
my best thanks for her Kindness" she
said, "nnd tell her that ! eau make no
use Of it,
The maid, charged with this message.
which seemed to her mind to make the
lcadliest possible breach OF politeness,
would willingly have abandoned the pie
by the roadside. and indeed fingered a
good five minutes In front OF Mrs. Blane's
house before she dared 10 ring the hell.
When mt Inst she plucked M courage 10
do this, and was rehearsing her speech
In preparation for Hepxibah, the door
opened and a bcurded face nppeare
kindly In expression by nature. but look.
ing ut this moment stern and white
enough to brighten the maids wits AWAY
altogether.
"Whut IL Il. nv dear 2" he nsked her
gently, seeing that she was alarmed.
ITS not my fault, IL you please. sir"
said the maid, but missus won't keen
the ME. and She sends II hack m Mrs
Blame with her best thanks"
"Oh." said Blame; "and who Is your
mistress!"
Mrs. Hackctt, IL you please, SIR"
said the maid.
Ned Blame dropped the pie dish, which
went to pieces within its cover. He
stooped with an expression OF grave
| ,,,;, 90 ,.,,va, II and vtnnl xritl, IL H.,