Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-11-17


she's my cook! I'll be jiggered If
will" Then ut the sight OF his wife's
quivcring lip he pulled himself up.
"All right, puss," he said hastily. "I'll
get her here some way. Don't you wor-
ry your precious little head. Goodby
dearest"
And Mrs. Beresford, comforted, re-
turned to her cold coffee.
All day long the prospect hung like Il
nightmare over Beresford. Suppose he
spoke to the wrong woman; suppose
she considered herself insulted and
called for the police. There was no
counting on what woman might do.
When, having but scant two minutes
to spare before train time, he dashed
into the waiting room 1t was with a
fervent anathema against cooks in gen.
cral and this one in particular that he
pounccd upon the nearest woman.
Are you the new cook for Mrs.
Beresfordf" he demanded breathlessly.
The woman, startled BY his impetuous
onslaught. surveyed him with a non
committal glance.
"And If | am?" she ventured eau
tiously.
1--WE must hurry. Have you your
ticket? No? I'll get it. Your trunk?
oh, that must wait until tomorrow.
Come along" He found time in his
rush to note and inwardly approve the
neat black dress. the gentle, almost
sad, face of the woman beside him.
Another woman, big and crowned with
a huge confection of flowers and lace,
stood by the door and Bcrcsford men
tally congratulated himself on not hay
ing to travel with that.
At home Mrs. Beresford regarded the
new girl with equal approval. The
question of hours, wages, days OIL,
etc, was quickly settled. Then Mrs.
Beresford asked for references. The
woman looked troubled.
''They are all in my trunk" she ex-
planned. "AIr. Beresford is to bring 1t
out tomorrow. There was no time to-
day"
ooh, very WELL" said Mrs. B2reSford,
After all, it did not matter, for with
out good recommendations Mrs. Lewis
Dinner was delicious. The soup
was dream, the roast done to turn,
the game seasoned TO perfection. WheIi
the smooth black coffee came as n fit
sing finish to dainty rcpast Mrs.
Bercsford breathed Il long sigh of re-
| lief. This woman was certainly Il
treasure, she mused complacently.
NIt., u Ia
envious sigh. For, like most country
places, Hillside was but resting place
| for countless lcgions of girls.
"lf she only keeps up like this
shall regard Maggie's departure in the
| light of disguised blessing" coniided
\ Mrs. Beresford to her husband later in
| the privacy of their own apartment
Il hope she Is not going to be ILL.,
| Norah Just told me that when she was
arranging my room tonight the cool;
came in, saying she felt bad. Nornl
| fixed her up with hot water bags and
| things and thought she would be all
| right in the morning. Heigho, | am
| tired! Anyway, l think the Withcrses
| enjoyed themselves. Now if she will
only stay"
But Mrs. Beresford's hope was dcs.
! tined to be of short duration. When
Norah came in next morning to light
her mistress fire she brought tale OF
woe
| 'The cook has gone, maam. She felt
very bad in the night Oh. yes; she
did that SO she walked to the station
and took the first train"
"Gone!" exclaimed Mrs. Beresford
by sudden fear, she sprang out OF
bed and ran to the dressing table.
"My sapphire bracelet she cried
"That girl came SO late last night that
had to hurry to dress and forgot hall
my things. l know / left the Nacelet
here, but l supposed you had put II
away. Did you, Norah; did yoli"
Norah gave Il gasp. Tile sapphire
bracelet, is it? Sure, didn't see it,"
whats the row?" inquired Bercs
ford, appearing ut the door OF hi;
dressing room. His wife flung herself
ut him.
"rhe cooE-the cook Is gone" sht
painted. And my sapphire bracelet
And here's letter from Mrs. Levi!
saying that the girl came back to thu
Office lust night and said she couldn
find you. Who-who did you bring ou
them"
"Oh, my soulv murmured Beresford
with swift recollection of the biz
woman. "Nevcr mind, puss; I'll fine
1t for YOU"
! "Find it!' walled Mrs. Beresford
MY lovely sapphire bracelet! You
wedding present to me! oh, Harry.
| reproachfaliy. how could you brini
such n person into the house?"
I "Well, like that!' exclaimed Beres
ford. How was to knowT
a.No11--r,o,1 nilfrlf 10 lnrn - wont Ill