Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-11-17
Copyrighted. 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.


send out some one. Can't that nice
looking bookkeeper come"
"On his vacation-but I'll get some
one. Don't worry. Vida"
Cotton hung the receiver on the hook
and Mrs. Cotton beamed as she turned
from the instrument. Bob was de-
pendable, and that worry was Off her
mind.
1t was the first dinner party III til"
new home, and her uncle was to b"
the guest Of honor. 1t had seemed
hoodOOed from the start. First Colton
had been compelled to remain In towA
to attend an important conference G;
the trade and could not possibly get
out.
Her sister, Eleanor Norris. had been
called into service to replace the cock
who had left. declaring that she would
see her employer and the guests scpa.
rately and individually condemned be.
fore she would cook for eighteen per
sons, and then ut the last moment the
Nelson's had sent regrets. cutting the
number at table down to the thirteen
abhorrent to Uncle Henry. from whonr
the Coltons had expectations"
Vida had noticed that her husband:
bookkeeper was an extremely goo''
looking young fellow, and she had tel
ephoned Cotton to send him out. Prob
ably lie would send out the bookkeep
er's relief, and Vida gave no mor'
thought to the matter save to offer II.
a fervent supplication that his tabl
manners should be good.
The others had arrived when there
was ring at the bell. and In her anS
iety Mrs. Cotton herself rushed to tn
door. A tall, clean cut young ma"
stood at the entrance. and at his IN
quiring Mrs Colton?" Vida falrl'
dragged him across the hall and int
the dining room. where she carefully
closed the door.
T'm awfully sorry" she began. "Mr
Cotton asked you to come out because
we wanted to avoid thirteen ut the
table. But 1t happens that a Mr.
Grimsby could not come either. and 81
now you would make the thirteenth"
T see," he said. with light laugh
"Then I'll head back for town."
81 couldn't let you do that criec
Vida, with a gasp. "There Is no train
until 9:57. You will not get to town
until almost II. You must stay here
and have some dinner. I'm sure you
won't mind eating in the laundry"
"T'd rather like It," was the genial
response "If you will indicate the
general direction III head that way
and let you get back to your guests"
Vida pointed to the door to the but
ler's pantry. go through there and
tell them who you are" she directed
then she hurried back to the waiting
diners. Her uncle was standing by tn"
door.
"Was that another guest" he de
manded uneasily.
"Just helper that Bob sent out
from town." she explained glibly, and
Uncle Henry breathed a sigh OF relief
I'm rather glad that Bob was de
tanned in town." he said. ut will pre-
vent there being thirteen at the table.
I'm not superstltious. but know OF
two cases where there were thirteen
at the table. and each time one died
before the year was out. I'm getting
to be an old man. Vida. and. while I'm
not superstitious about it-well. It's
Just rs well not to tempt fate"
Vida smiled her understanding Of the
case. and as Norah appeared In the
doorway to announce that dinner was
scrvod 'h,y FL fled out.
Vida su3ta med shock Of surprise
when she saw the man her husband
had sent out standing ready To serve
but bis face was as impassive as
though he had been butler and not q
bookkceper all his life. and 1t wa:
with little Hutter cf pride that Vida
realized that the local guests would
suppose that they had imported n but
Ter from town fol, the occasion.
The dinner passed Off splendidly. The
butler acquitted himself with the
greatest credit. and Eleanor did her
cooking school training full justice.
Before the coffee was served Uncle
Henry was whispering to his niece
that he was going to make her pres
ent of the house for Christmas and at
tend himself to some details Of decora
ton.
Vida had hoped to lead him to the
subject of new rugs, and this volun
tary promise delighted her. AS she led
the way back to the parlor she fairly
radiated delight.
1t was some time before she could
manage to slip away from her uncle
and she was just about to go to the
kitchen to see how Eleanor was get.
ting along when Norah, the maid
poked her head cautiously between the
curtains and made signal that she
wanted to see her mistress.
~ think you'd better come out In the
kitchen. ma'am," she whispered. THAT
strange man and Miss Eleanor do be
carrying on something awful. He
kissed her when he thought my back
was turned, but saw them in the sill
yer tray. They've been at 1t ever since
he came"
"He is annoying Miss Eleanor?
asked Vida correctingly. 1t was out OF
the question that Eleanor should enjoy
bis attentions.