Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1905-05-03
X X X X X X X X X
PRETTY COOK
BY MAE MARTIN.
81

Y y lies a splendid fellow, out
10~ rich, and a little f%astidiOus,
perhaps-so have every
thing in trim. But that warning is
not necessary; you are always ready.
Your affectionately, Royal Dent"
That simple little note brought con-
%sternation inc the Dent household,
for the cook and maid of all work
had just taken French leave, and it
would be impossible to fill her place
on such short notice. for servants did
not flourish readily in the quiet little
village.
"What shcll we do:" exclaimed Mrs.
Dent, glancing around lat her three
daughters with an explosion of trag-
ic despair.
Telegraph to Royal that he must
bring a cook down with him." said
Ange, the youngest, with an irrepres-
Sible smile.
Nonsense! Tomorrow is the twen-
%ty-fourth, so we shall have to all
ter the kitchen and take our turn.
until 1 can engage a cook"
"Oh, mother! you know it would
spoil my complexion to bend over that
hot stove. That plan will never do"
said fair Gertrude, folding her soft,
iily-white hands.
"And if we do the cooking, who will
entertain Mr.. Estwald?" said Mira.
well, you know we cannot get one
now for love or money!" sighed the
troubled matron.
Eyes. you can mother mine. Here
is one for love- said b~rown-haired
brown-eyed Ange. 81 will be cook I'M
til you can get one, and Royals fas-
tidious friend need never know it. My
name is Polly Ann, and I'll prepare
h daintiest dishes, and you can en-
gage a boy to wait in the dining ROOM"
You are making quite a sacrifice,
Ange, my dear child, and I do not
like to have you banished in that
style"
But it is self b~anishment," said
Ange, gall., giving just n regretful
sigh, and then entering heartily into
the work before her.
Royal came at the appointed time,
accompanied by a handsome man of
eight or nine and twenty, with fair
hair and moustache, keen, clear blue
eyes, and the winning ease and grace
of Il long used to the cultured cir
cles of society.
The Misses Dent were faultlessly
dressed, and charmingly cordial, and
Mrs. Dent beamed g%raciously; but
Bowel oJo-aoJ oro,-, -,;4I, 1:..a4:-
fed look.
"Where is Angel"
"She-she-', the mother began
and then not being in the habit of tell
ing falsehoods, she broke down.
"She has gone on a visit to Aunt
Nary's," said Gertrude, smoothly.
Must nave been rather student" he
said, surprised.
"Oh, yes, Ange, dear child, is so
Tightly" murmured Mira, turning to
Mr.. Estwald with a sweet smile. and
there the subject dropped.
But passing through the back part
of the house an hour later Royal was
astonlshed to find a young person,
half hid i'll a huge apron, in his arms;
to feel the fond pressure of soft arms
around his neck, the touch of a velvet
cheek to his.
"Halloo" he cried, falling back a
step.
"Oh, Royal, don't you know me?"
"Ange!" he gasped.
"No-Polly Ann, the cook" she cor
rected, with a soft laugh.
What is the meaning OF all this
mystery?' lie inquired sternly.
Don't speak so loud" she said, and
then explained the situation.
Hang it all! I'll have a cook, if
[ have to go back to town after one,
Here I've brought Estwald down to
see you. and then find you banished