The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-06-19
When Chloe
Was CroWned
BY STEPHEN COLEMAN
sEsssssIsra sIsYTssls iaans'sla

lt WAS all OWING 10 the Idct tnaf
Chloe (real name Matilda Washing
tol) had yielded to the Afro-Ameri-
can yearning for a gold-capped
tooth, that Bert Charges became
Billy Matthews servant girl"
Chloe. having struck a bargain
with her dentist, found It dear when
the brass alloy poisoned her mouth,
and she had TO be taken to the hospi-
tai. leaving the Matthews-Clarges
household servantess at crisis
The day following Billy was to
entertain Mabel Worden and her
mother at dinner, and It was upon
the effect of this dinner that Billy
and Mabel depended to remove the
slight prejudice Mrs. Worden felt
against men who painted instead of
earning what to her was an honest
living.
Now. I'll have to call It off" said
Billy, miserably, as the ambulance
swung around the corner with the
jaunty inferno hanging from the
rear
You can't exactly call me Jap"
laughed Bert, as he stretched his six
feet on the sofa, but Miss Worden
does not know me, and with the tan
from the yachting cruise last week
still on my face. | might pass for a
mulatto. We can tell 1t for joke
nfterward."
And Billy blessed him.
Charges was as good a cook as he
was an architect. and the dinner he
prepared was n triumph. Billy. TAX
Ing advantage Of luil in the
courses, slipped out into the tiny
kitchen to congratulate him upon it.
That's all right, old man." Bert
answered, but do You happen to
know that the guest they brought
with them Is an old schoolmate of
think that | had fallen to this"
Billy gave a grin that was more
gratitude than sympathy.
I'm fixed" he announced impor-
family. Mrs. Worden whispered to
me after the salad that she thought
artists were Bohemians, but after
such a demonstration of my love OF
home life she was perfectly willing
TO trust her daughter to my care"
Billy, all unknowing had given
rein to fancy and told Wild tales OF
unfortunate club men he had known
who had turned their culinary skill
to good use Now)he saw the mistake
he had made.
He smoked his after-dinner cigar
in the parlor, with Mabel sitting hap
PLY on one side and Mrs. Worden on
the other, engrossed with their talk
of the future. They did not notice
that Marion had slipped away.
She went straight back to the din
ing room. Bert was just clearing up
the table; there woqlld be n light
supper, perhaps, If they could be In
duced 10 stay late enough for chafing
dishes, and he wanted to leave things
In good shape.
Il knew you the moment saw
you" said Marion simply, MS she
held out her hand.
She gave little cry. Don't !"
she said, in voice wrung with an
guish. Don't tell me that | brought
you to this through my selfishness
and pride"
Your pride?" he said quickly,
"what had your pride to do with it,"
."Couldn't you guess" she walled.
Don't you know how they talk in a
small town: They said | was trying
to marry you for your money That
was why told you No twice"
II can tell you now" she said
proudly. Father was not ruined
Most of the money the lawyers got
back for us. Now that | am rich and
"And you can't be accused OF
me for my money!" he
helped her out.
That's It," she said eagerly.
Now that you have been brought to
this, | can say fearlessly that | love
you and ask you to marry me-"
81 may as we'll tell you" he said
seriously that IT was another wo-
man who brought me to this"
She drew herself up, tall and
straight.
Come, | will show you her pic
ture" With a compelling arm on her
shoulders he led her into the gtuffy
kitchen and up to a cheap tintype in
its primrose colored mat. There |
she is" he said simply.
Marion gave a horrined cry, 'Its
a darkey," she gasped.
It's our cook" he explained sol !
EMMY. They took her to the hos
pital yesterday Forgive me, dear.
only meant to tease.
Mrs Worden gasped when they |
found her with the cooks arm about /
her and her fluffy head upon his |
breast. but she did not withdraw her |
consent to Billy's engagement be- /
cause he had sought to deceive her.
Chloe's teeth have been gold /
plated now with the 14-karat metal. Z.
and only the dentists fiat refusal has
them from being en-
graved, lin grateful appreciation. " /
Bert declares that there should be
some such Inscription.