Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1905-1906, 1906-02-13
CHAPTER Xxx.

THE EPISODE OF THE STOVEPFPE.
In the morning Monsieur Pierre
faithfully reported to his mistress the
groom's extraordinary insolence and
impudence Of the night before. The
girl struggled with and conquered her
desire to laugh; for monsieur was
somewhat grotesque In his rage.
"Frightful. Mademoiselle, most
frightful! He call me Petaire most dis
rrrespectful way. and eject me from
zee stables. I can not call heem out
he eez a groom and knows nozzing VI
zee amende honorable"
Mademoiselle summoned M'sieu
Thames. She desired to make the
comedy complete in all its phases
james, whenever you are called up
you must clear the table after the
guests leave it. This is imperative.
do not wish the scullery girl to handle
the porcelain save in the tubs. Do
you understands
Yes, Miss. There were no orders to
that effect last night, however" He
was angry.
Monsieur Pierre puffed up like the
lady-frog in Aesop's fables.
And listen, Pierre she said. col
lapsing the bubble Of the chefs con-
ceit, you must give no orders to
James. | will do that. | do not wish
any tale-bearing or quarreling among
my servants. insist upon this. OBJ
serve me carefully. Pierre. and you,
James"
James did observe her carefully. so
carefully. indeed, that her gaze was
forced to wander to the Inundated
countenance Of Monsieur Pierre.
James, you must not look at me like
that There is something in your eyes:
] can't explain what it is, but 1t some
how lacks the respect due me-" This
command was spoken coldly and
sharply.
Respect" He drew a step back.
al disrespectful to you. Miss Annesley?
Oh, you wrong me. There can not be
any one more respectful to you than I
am" The sincerity of his tones could
not be denied. In fact. he was almost
too sincere.
Nevertheless. wish you to regard
what | have said. Now. you two shake
hands"
The groom and the chef shook hands
I am ashamed to say that James
squeezed Monsieur Pierre's f1abby hand
out of active service for several hours
that followed. Beads Of agony sparkled
on Monsieur Pierre's expansive brow
as he turned to enter the kitchen.
Shall we ride to-day, Miss?" he
asked, ihwardly amused.
mo, | shall not ride this morning."
calmly.
James bowed meekly under the re-
Duke. What did he care? Did he not
possess a rose which had known the
pressure of her lips, her warm, red
lips?
You may CO." she said.
James went. James whistled on the
way too.
Would that II had been my good for
tune to have witnessed the episode of
that afternoon! My jehu. when he
hears II related these days, smiles a
sickly grin. do not believe that he
ever laughed heartily over it. At three
o'clock, while Warburton was reading
the morning paper, interested especial
ly in the army news of the day, he
heard Pierre's voice wailing.
What's the fat fool want now?"
James grrmbled to William.
"Oh. he's always yelling for help.
They've coddled him so long in the
family that he acts like ten-year-
old kid. | stole a kiss from Celeste
one day. and | will be shot If he didn't
start to blubber."
You stole a kiss. eh?" said James
admirngly.
only just for the sport of making
him crazy, that was all" But Will
liam's red visage belied his Indifferent
tone, You'd better so and see what
he wants. My hands are all harness
grease"
Warhurton concluded to follow Will
liam's advice. He flung down his paper
and strobe out to the rear porch. where
he saw Pierre gestiouating wildly.
whats the matter? What do you
want?'-churliskly.
"Frightful, Zee stove-pipe ees vat
you call bust!"
James laughed.
81 can not rrreach eet can not
cook till eet ees fix. You are tall
?"-affably.
"Ali right: I'll help you fix it,
Grumbling. James went into the
kitchen. mounted a chair. and began
banging away at the pipe. very much
after the fashion of Burners .'Cul-
pepper Ferguson" The pipe acted pig.
gish. James grew determined. One
end s''pped In and then the other
slipped out. half dozen times. James
lost patience and became angry; and N
his anger he overreached himself. The
chair slid back. He tried to balance