The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-02-10
Cecily-Emergency Cook.
BY EMILY WRIGHT.

/ Bh EMILY "RlGHI.
Once year on the anniversary of their
wedding day, Mr.. and Mrs. Selfridge
have little celebration, just by them,
selves. Last year, the anniversary lit
was their twenty-fourth) fell on a Satur-
day, and, after much delightful delibera-
! ton, they decided to meet in the after
noon and dine together in town-'Just
as we used to do before the children were
born" Mrs. Selfridge said. Their years
of married life had not dulled her girlish
sense of romance. Her friends still con-
timed to call her THE Bride"
Ceciiy Selfridge helped her mother
dress, auttering about her with an ad-
miring and excited interest, giving little
finishing touches here and there.
ooh, mother, please let ME do your
hair, Oh, do wear my dotted veil; tits so
becoming! Yes, please put that pin on
of course it isn't too handsome, Nanny
dear-nothing is too handsome for to-
day"
Mrs. Selfridge took one last look in the
mirror; round little woman with rosy
checks and bright eyes, in a well-ftting
broadcloth suit and very smart toque.
looked back at her, with innocent salts
faction. She turned away and picked up
her nuff well, dearie, must go. l am
so afraid you will be lonesome"
"Why. Nanny dear. l shan't be, at
all. You know that am going to the
Hunts tea this afternoon with Marga-
ret. and l shall not mind having dinner
by myself at all think it will be rather
fun"
"Why don't you ask Margaret to stay
with you?'
ooh, she can't. Her brother Dick is
coming home for over Sunday"
ooh, Cecily, that reminds me-Do you
think there is any chance of Bob's coming
out tonight ?"
why, no, Nanny dear, he said to-
morrow morning don't you remember ?
Now come, you'll miss your train.
Don't bother about lne any more-I'1l
order good dinner for myself, and l
don't mind eating it alone at ALL have
a book to read. Come, Nanny, do
start afong-you have just fifteen min
utes. You know you wouldn't miss that
train for the world"
mo indeed, wouldn't Well good
bye, dearie. Tell Bridget you're not GO
ing to have anyone to dinner, and ar
range about it, won't you? Goodbye!
We shall be at home by eleven
Cecily had her little interview with
Bridget 1.-THE second girD, then went up
stairs to dress for the tea Margaret
May was to call for her at halfpast four.
That gave Cecily large margin; but she
dressed so slowly, and with such care as
to details, that it was after quarter-past
four when she was ready at last.
She was putting on her gloves when
Margaret's carriage drove up to the
door. The last glance she took in the
mirror before running downstairs was
very reassuring. Cecily was not vain,
but she was pretty and graceful, and the
long white gown, the elaborate coat, and
the big hat with its beautiful, dropping
feather, were extremely becoming.
1t was after six O'Clock when she got
home again. A telegram lay on the hall
table, and Cecily picked it up and tore it
open: bringing three men to dinner to-
night. Bob"
So Bob had decided to come home that
night instea of the next morning. Three
men, And Cecily had ordered dinner
only for herself, and well she knew how
four college men can eat. She must ar
range with the cook and then telephone
for more things; she pushed the button
in the hall that communicated with the
kitchen. But, instead of the cook, Bird.
get ppeared-Bridget, red-eyed, fearful,
dishevelled, the picture Of misery.
"Why, what is the matter, Bridget ~
Cecily cried. Bridget SMILED Cecily
asked the question again; then Bridget
brought herself to say, in muffied tones:
It's Agnes"
Agnes was the cook.
agnes? What is the mateer with
Agnes :"
'She's left"
Left" cried Cecily, dumfounded. do
you mean she has left for good-isn't she
coming back? l never heard of such a
thing"
"Yes'm, she lett. She amt comm
back"
do you mean," Cecily demanded,
that Agnes simply left this afternoon
while mother and were out p
"Yes'm."
81 never heard anything so horrid.
What was the trouble? p
"She got mad with me-" Bridget NUT
tered.
Got mad with you?"
eyes nl-we had fight; she said she
wouldn't live in the house with me an
other minute. She's a mean one. She
got paid this morning and off she went
right away. She was that hateful to me
I've stood a lot; I'd have left if she
hadn't"
Bridget had found her voice.
Cecily gasped and sat down.
well she certainly selected an unfortu-
nate time, p" she said, at last. lam alone
here and Mr.. Bob is coming home to din
ner, and he going to bring three friends.
don't know what in the world to do !"
twas too much for Bridget; she show
ed signs of breaking down completely
under this latest blow; she SMILED again
and wiped her eyes.
I've got the headache awful bad, she
muttered.