Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-28

All HeE Hdppy pldllS were oNOi IuA hCu'
and just because faithless maid had
failed to put in an appearance. 1t was
only history-domestic history-repeat-
ing itself, but Mrs. Maxwell was too
newly married to look upon the mis-
fortune in the light of anything but
purely personal affliction.
Her husband found her disconsolate-
ly stirring the cereal for breakfast,
while the hot tears ran unheeded down
her flushed cheeks.
aren't you afraid The oatmeal will
be little too salty. sweetheart he
asked jOvially, at the same time kiss
ing away a few of the salty drops from
her eyelids.
How can you joke, Bob?" she gasp
ed between sobs that now burst out
afresh. 'She-she didn't come"
"Who? Bridget? Well, never mind.
dearest; that's a trick they all play.
don't care what we have for break
fast
"But Mr.. Cabot does. Is he up yet?"
Not Jack. He sleeps and sleeps oQ
Sunday mornings And he won't care
if we skip breakfast altogether. You
don't know him as well as do. Norah.
You see. roomed with him two years
when | was a-bachelor He's the
best natured fellow living-present
company excepted. If he wasn't
would never have consented to this
three cornered loving cup. Here, hand
me a spoon, dear! I'll make the cot
fee''
The three cornered loving cup" was
an arrangement by which the Max
wells had agreed to let Bob's chum,
Jack Cabot. share their cozy apartment
and take breakfast with them, thus
| giving them the pleasure of using his
piano and the luxury of keeping a
maid. 1t had seemed the rOsiest
scheme imaginable. but behold it, on
the very first morning after Jacks ar
| rival, shattered discouragingly!
In the midst of Bob and Norah's
| joint preparations for breakfast the
doorbell rang unexpectedly.
shes Gomez exclaimed Norah tri-
| umphantly as she rushed breathlessly
| to the door Bob stood on the kitchen
| threshold, listening.
"Oh, it's your he heard Norah say
in tone of unmistakabe disappoint-
ment.
"Well, is that all the welcome get?'
responded CHEEKY young voice.
Il thought you were the cook" was
Norah's half apologize, half laughing
reply.
Hello, Anne Norris called Bob hos
pitably from the kitchen. Stay and
have breakfast with us"
"Breakfastr' returned Anne, pretend
ing to be shocked. You lazy, lazy
/ people, Why, I'm out for my morn
4 ing constitutional. Boarder arrived|
she asked mischievously.
"Oh, yes" answered Norah resign
eddy. "NIr. Cabots here, Of course, but
not a sign of the cook"
Look here" suggested Anne sud
denly. I'm dandy cook and engage
to get-your breakfast on the spot
And without waiting for approval OF
invitation she began to toss off he
coat and hat
''Oh, dear!" said Norah flutteringly
"Mr. Cabot is coming. l heard hi
door open. Hurry, Amer
Once in the kitchen Anne rolled VI
! her shirt waist sleeves and arrayet
herself in one of Norahs comprehen
sive Bingham aprons.
Now, you both skfddOo"' she com
manded. "Just leave everything to me
The idea of a bride and groom gettin;
breakfast for a boarder!'
Il Norah's greeting to the boarder
when she reached the living room wa
most cordial.
Good morning, Mr.. Cabot. Yol
slept well apparently. Bob and I hav
been up this long time
Il hope you didn't keep breakfas
waiting, Mrs. Maxwell. Did you
maid put in an early appearance"
mo; she didn't come-come as earl
as 1 expected. But breakfast is read
now"
Anne, becomingly decked in frill
cap and apron. served the grape frul
irreproachably. When she had left tn
dining room Bob cleared his throa
and ventured comment.
Fairly good looking. isn't she?'
, Jack looked up absentmindedly fror
I his paper. Mrs. MAXWELL" he inquil
) ed. "Of course, Bob; of coursew
81 was speaking of the maid" 30
) corrected. his tone Indicative of WOUND
I ed feelings.
) "Oh. I didn't notice. VIII be MOI
observing next time"
And he was. In fact, so observin
was he that Anna became Quite en-
. barrassed. apd Bob and Norah wit
I difficulty kept their faces straight.
She's a peach, Mrs. MAXWELL JAG
( exclaimed after Anne's second disal
8 pearance. where did you find hel
{ She seems decidedly above the ordinaI
type"
I ooh, she first dropped in," reptile
Z Norah casually, "and asked for IL
( place"
3 well, you've got treasure. l hoI
she won't prove too cocky for her pos
s, ton"
& Breakfast over, the men fingered
5 the table to smoke and read their p
& pers, Anne meanwhile clearing awe