The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-08-28

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| 1t was u long trip uptown, and
much of his courage had oozed away
| when at last he found himself on the
| Horizons stoop. He was rather glad
| that the maid came to the door. 1t
was a certain sign that Nell was not
's1me, else she would have rushed to
he door with ostentatious welcome.
This little maid he decidedly approved
OF.
"They will be back In an hour" said
the girl "They have only gone down
town on shopping tour, and they
will be so sorry to have missed you.
| Won't you waltz
Chadwick hesitated and was lost.
He went into the little parlor and
| picked out the most comfortable chair.
| The girl paused at the door.
"Can l get you anything before
| go?" she asked solicitously. 1.-THE
morning paper is upstairs. can get
| it in a moment"
sid rather talk" said Chadwick
comfortably. He was hungry for con-
genial companionship, and the little
maid was very different from Nell.
Sometimes Dave grew a little tired Of
Nell and her bold flattery.
81 can't STOP" cried the girl. 'It is
baking day, and have the oven full"
when Miss Horton does all the
cooking?" reminded Chadwick. ~
shall have to investigate"
He had been so frequent caller that
| he knew from which door Nell was
accustomed to put in an appearance,
her sleeves rolled up and an adorable
dab of -four on her saucy chin. Ig-
noring the frightened protests of the
| kitchen.
In her embarrassment Dora had for
| gotten that Nell had claimed the cook
| cry for her own and that upon this
talent she had counted for the winning
! of Chadwick. Now that the cat was
out Of the bag the probabilities were
that Nell world turn her cousin into
the street. She inherited shrewish
temper from her mother, and Dora
knew that the two women would be
implacable.
Chadwick shifted the spicy odors
and turned to the girl.
$50 you are the fairy of the kitch-
en?" he said
"Nell does all the work. l just
watch the things when she goes down
| town." denied Dora hastily.
Chadwick put one finger under the
dimpled chin and raised the face that
| he might look straight into the gray
eyes.
Look me straight in the face and
say that again." he commanded.
The long lashes fell over the troubled
eyes as Doratstruggled to make her de.
NAL convincing. Chadwick laughed.
Look here" he said as he released
her chin. II came out here today to
ask the hand of the woman who had
made me comfortable. 1t is not that |
cared so much about what l had to
eat 1t Is not that 1 can get a dinner
here without having to fight three
walters and the maitre d'hotel. That
wasn't what appealed to me, though
they do say that the way to a mans
heart is through his stomach. That
sounds funny, but really man doesn't
marry just cook.
81 wanted the woman who of all the
million people in this big town cared
enough for old friendship to come and
rescue me from the maitre and the
menu. 1t wasn't just the idea Of din
| ner, but the home. / want a home
Of my own, and l wanted her to run 1t
for me. But it seems that she did not
tell the truth about the cooking. i
guess the rest of 1t is pretty much of
the same piece Of goods, and it won't
stand the wash. It's you 1 want. little
woman, not because you can cook-I
don't know just what it is, but 1 want
you.
You slip on your hat. and we can
run down to city hall and get license
and wedding certificate in no time
at ALL"
"Why. you don't even know my
name! cried the startled girl
IL can guess" was the prompt reply.
'I'm not so forgetful of the man who
gave me my first start as not to be
able to trace his likeness in Cleon
Blake's daughter. They told me that
they did not know where you were,
and today when l recognized you 1t
was that which first suggested the
| falsehoods they have been telling and
led me to investigate the kitchen. We
can pay them back for their food.
They'll be content so long as they get
a lot Of presents. Will you come.
Dora?"
Something in his tones appealed to
| the girl and she looked into the eager
| eyes that searched her blushing face.
She had been sorry for Chadwick. and
| pity is akin to love. He read his an
| swer in her eyes. and great light of
gladness came into his own as he bent
| and reverently kissed the tip Of the
| dainty ear, for her face was hidden
against his strong shoulder.