The San Francisco call., 1905-03-04
d :. JlMMIE'S COOK :.D
BY E. W. SARGENT.

prompt, as she had invited a particu-
larly attractive young woman. on his
account. Better get her to run. the
house for you she laughed, Just as
she hung up her receiver, you have
such trouble with servants"
For a moment Jimmie did not recog-
nize her in her firnsy dinner dress. He
was merely conscious of a vision of
lOveliness in something soft and green
or blue, it might have been blue.
Then cool, self-pOssessed voice re-
marked that she had had the pleasure
of meeting him before. Jimmie's daze
became a stupOr. from which only the
announcement of dinner reused him,
, and he was half way TO the dining
room before he really realized that the
vision Of the morning was beside him
and was saying something to him.
Ashamed to acknowledge that he had.
not heard, he answered Yes" at ran
dom, and immediately became aware
that he had said the wrong thing.
They were removing the fish plates
before he had the courage TO seek to
penetrate the icy air OF reserve in
which she had wrapped herself.
What was it you asked me when I
said Yes? he asked desperately. 2
Didn't you understand" she coun-
er-questioned. unbending a trifie.
ITO be perfectly frank" he said
honestly, Il never heard a word
was so surprised to find you here that
my head was in a whirI-''
My father has a theory that his
daughter should be capable Of her self
support / am to have the old home
on Madison avenue If I can get and
hold a position for three months.
This morning was my first applied
ton"
But what was it you asksd7" he
persisted.
Il asked you If you really thought I.
looked like cook, she said. with a
And 1 said Yes" he cried con-
tritely. What a fool you muse have
taken me forl''
Then you admit your mistaken she
asked smilingly
What Jimmie answered was not to
the point and wholly unworthy of
recital. There are times when even a
confirmed bachelor may grow sud
denly foolish. and through that dinner
Jimmie would have rivaled even a
college lad making love to his first
widow
A moro important conversation
and one more worthy OF record, was
held a few weeks later In the Gorham
library.
''You see. am at sea again on the.
servant question The girl drank
everything in the house that was bot
tied, even the cooking sherry.9
Why don't you go and live at a
hotel?" she asked. Now that Won
have come into all that money through
the sale Of your western property, you
do not need to keep bachelor halI-on
ten dollars a week for all material Z"
she quoted
I've a better idea than that" he
declared seriously; 'one my aunt gave
me- think I'll hire a housekeeper
What Will you pay herr" she de-
manded, her eyes twinkling at the
memory OF Jimmie's serious parody on
bargaining.
Love and affection and other valu-
able considerations, as the legal doane
ments say" he answered promptly.
And as you were an applicant for a
place you shall have first chance-wiu
you. dear?" He had dropped his ban
ter and his voice had become danger
Ously tender
Il think I'll have to-" she answered
shyly. Then with a sudden flash sf
humor, IF only because you look so
forlorn when your rooms have been
servantless for a week"
The blessings OF Cupid be upon the
mistake" said Jimmie softly. II think
IN give that hall boy five dollars. be-
cause I kicked him for making yo1
uncomfortable that morning" Which
was an er1inertly practical Terminal
ton to proposal by an oddity like
Jimmie.-(Copyright, 1906. by Epes w.
Sargent.)