The San Francisco call., 1905-02-03

~ A
Wv The young man standing
at the side door lifted his hat
doubtfully.
They said at the agency they would
send you up by 9 o'clock, and here IT
is almost IL. Dinner must be ready
promptly. because we must be in time
for the first act Of the new play. Now,
for PHYS sake, do hurry to make up
for the lost time"
The young man smiled amiably and
stepped into the hall.
'I will do my best" he said, II
you will tell me where to begin"
He looked eagerly at the slim little
figure In the trim blue and white g1ng-
ham gown and the big, enveloping
white apron. with the beruffied bib.
The delicately featured young face
was flushed with exertion, anxiety-or
both.
"Oh, there is so much hardly know
where to tell you to begin! She
wrung her hands with wild little ges-
ture of bewilderment- There's wood
and coal to be brought in first. And
that kitchen stove must be made to
burn. And you'll have to help me with
the dinner. 1 know" as he would
have spoken, II didn't stipulate you'd
be obliged to do that sort of work
when 1 told them to send me man
of all work. but breaking down
in helpless laughter, "if you're really
that you won't mind-and I'll pay you
extra Leave your hat and overcoat
here. You won't have time to get on
your working clothes" She glanced
a. the heavy travelling bag he had set
down. I'll give you one of Selma's
aprons when you get that fire started.
oh, dear! That she should have left
at such a time Come this way!"
She whisked away to the kitchen
regions, the newcomer Striding after.
Can you make that fire burn?" she
demanded desperately. She flung out
two little smudged and blackened
hands. I've tried-till I've cried!"
We'll have a dandy blaze here in
no timeI" the man cried cheerily. He
had removed his coat and tied the big
blue apron around him. i've made
lots of fires when I was CAMP mean
when I had to" he ended lamely.
But Rita Carlton, energetically chop
ping savory herbs into the rolled
bread crumbs preparatory to stuffing
the big turkey on the kitchen table,
words. She did look up, however, to
smile approvingly. when presently a
roaring fire repaid the labor Of her
assistant, and he came to her-tri-
umphant, If disheveled, for further or
ders.
I'm awfully sorry you have to work
In your best clothes, Peterl" she said
sweetly. Il believe Mr.. Marsh said
your name was Peter. Next? Why,
believe you'd better bring up the case
of Burgundy you'll find in the cellar.
II must be the right temperature, you
knowi"
And when he had done so and gent
ly ranged the bottles sidelong at pre-
cisely the proper distance from the
fire she looked at him curiously.
You seem to understand about
wines,'' she remarked. Perhaps you
have held the position of butler?"
He was of military erectness and
held his head with the air of one who
commands rather than that of one
accustomed to accept orders.
mo, I've never been a butIerI" He
instantly repressed a quizzical smile.
Il know something about wines,
though. What shall I do now?"
Would you mind" She hesi-
tated, regarding his white and shapely
hands. Perhaps he had been employed
in a store.
Il shall do anything you wish" he
assured her, hastily comprehending
the reason of her broken speech. The
oysters? 1t is too soon to open those"
Would you mind-peeling the po-
tatoes?" she asked timidly. The i'm
perious manner in which she had met
him was melting in the most miracu-
lous fashion.