The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-06-03
Her One Accomplishment

n Id MR.. BROWN stood In his
WI private office. WITH his back TO
the tire and his coat-tails bal
anced on either hand. He was bald
headed old gentleman with a ruddy
complexion, keen, black eyes. and leg
of-muttOn whiskers which were white
as snow.
And Miss Nelly Torrance sat look
ing at him timidly from the depths Of
her big armchair in which he had
beckoned her to seat herself.
so you are my Cousin Adrian's
daughterF" said he, after a long
pause.
Yes" said Nelly. wondering what
was in all those mysterious tin boxes,
and whether the monster iron safe
was full OF gold and silver pieces.
And you want something to dor
Yes, please"
'Humphr' said Mr.. Brown.
Nelly glanced shyly up into his face.
But" she added with some spirit,
Il am not asking for charity. l am
willing to work"
You mean you would like to daub
canvas, or sew yellow sunhowers on
green plush screens" satiricaIly OBJ
served the old gentleman. Il don't
call that work"
Nor /, either" retorted Nelly.
Then what do you meanl' said Mr..
Brown.
Il mean that l shall be glad to do
any sort OF honest work by means Of
which can earn my own living"
"Humph?' again interjected Mr..
Brown. Can you cook ?"
Kes," Nelly answered.
Il don't believe It"
But I car"
Very vet" said Mr. Brown. releas-
Ing bis toa ,ails and sitting down at
his desk, as Il the question were def
initely dispose OF. My cook went
away this mo. ming. l haven't engaged
any one in her place. You may come
this afternoon, and see what you can
DO for me-"
Mr. Brown fully expected that his
young cousin wOuL1 -ecou Indignantly
from his proposal, hut she did nothing
OF the sort. She simply said, Yes.
Cousin John" and asked for his prt-
Vate address.
Mind you're pHnetual," said be. as
be handed her the penciled card.
Il am always punctual." calmly re-
torted Nelly.
Mr.. Brown watched her out OF the
Office with quizzlcal twinkle in the
corner OF his eye.
she won't come he said to him.
self. I've seen the last OF my fine
relative"
Nelly Torrance went home to a little
Becond-iOor room, the cheapest the
widow and her daughters could and.
Mrs. Adrian Torrance was dressed
In black. She was a fair. delicate
piece Of human china. who had been
ike the lilies Of the fed in that she
''toiled not, neither did SIZE spin" Luz
cettA. the elder daughter. was trying,
unsuccessfully snoIgh, to trim = black
crSps bonnet. by The window.
They had come up from the coontry
Nt Lucetta's suggestion. to appeal in
their poverty. to this rich cousin OF che
dead father and husband, but mons Of
them anticipated any very satisfactng-
Gesuits from the experiment.
These rich people are always miser.
IT," said Miss Lucetta.
"And I've understood" sighed the
gentle little widow. that be was not
pleased when Adrian married me"
''WellT cried Mrs. Torrance. eager.
fy. as Nelly entered.
What does he sayT' questioned Lu-
cetta, dropping the folds Of crepe
which she was vainly endeayoring to
fashion into what the fashion-plats
called an "oblong bow"
II have aeRr Nm." said Nelly, I'M
Cying her bs.r.set-strings. "and I'm go
ing to his house In GrandoYer Park
this afternoon"
You don't msAn." cried Mrs. Tor
rance, with a spasmodic catching OF
her breath. shat he Is going to adopt
your
~Got In the least" said Nelly. Now.
mamRa. don't jump at conclusions.
eust hear my plain. unTGEudshod talA