The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-01-06

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clasped, the last touch given, and re-
firing backward from the mirror,
with radiant face, Emma turned
and ran up to the nursery, to order
the children dressed for company,
and also to speak with the boys-and
sfirt little with Mr.. Vincent, the
tutor, who was always at her service
for this exercise.
There was delightfully."- savory
odor pervading the house when she
came down and set out the wine and
ice, and made few amendments of
the table. Before Alice died she had
painted an exquisite ebony ring for
her brother, and this Emma placed
with the napkin designed for Mr..
Arthur Maxwell, thinking how ar
tistic and pretty everything was, and
deciding that the gentleman's first
impression must be pleasant.
She looked at her watch---ave min
utes past 3. Then she went softly to
the end of the hall, and listened to
| the lively chatter in the kitchen. She
could hear Mac chatting pleasantly
with the little housemaid, Nanny,
and all seemed to be well in that di-
rection.
At $40 she repaired to the drawing
room and took seat overlooking the
street. Carriages came and carriages
| went, but none stopped at the en-
trance. The little girls came down;
the boys and Mr. Vincent came down.
Mr.. Maye's latchkey settled in the
| door, the dinner bell rang.
"Not ccme?" asked Mr.. Maye, at
sight of Bmma's disappointed face.
No. she pouted; "and such a
nice dinner,"
"Very strange!" he unused, leading
/ the way ipto the dining room. 81
hadn't th9 least doubt-Why, my
dear fellow" seizing by the shoulder
the new cook, who, acting also as but
| Ter, had just placed the soup-tureen
upon the table-"my dear, dear fell
low, why, how is this? Emma de-
clared you hadn't comet"
That young lady grew as white as
| the tablecloth, and grasped chair
for support
THAT Mr.. Arthur Maxwell? IL
thought it was the cook!"
Il came earlier than ] expected,
and in time to make myself useful
to Miss Emma" laughed Mr.. Max
we'll, divesting himself of his white
towel and bowing with exquisite grace
tc that young lady.
The cultivated accents, the am
brosial locks of the bent head, the
clear, eloquent, beautiful eyes-oh,
why hadn't she known? How could
she have fallen into such an error?
81 was so terribly anxious-I didn't
lcok at you twice. Mr.. Maxwell, l
hope you will forgive me!' stam-
mered Emma, as red now as she had
been pale.
There is nothing to forgive, II my
! dinner turns out WE'LL" he replied,
laughing. 81 learned to cook when
l was student in Paris-a French
man taught me. / have been rather
proud of my culinary skin, but 1 am
little out of practice now, and am
not quite sure of the Florentine."
-Emma" cried Mr.. Maye, what
does all this mean?"
why, John. you promised to send
me up a man cook"
Mr.. Maye clasped his hands tragic
ally.
Emma, forgot it,"
swell, Mr.. Maxwell came, Just at
10 o'clock. l thought he was the
cook; / ushered him into the kitchen
among the pots and pans. l ques-
toned him as to what he knew about
cooking. l urged him to make all
haste and serve the dinner; and
and 1 called him an Irishman!
sobbed Emma, Historically.
"No offense, Miss Emma. My
grandfather, on my mothers side
Major Trelawny-was an Irishman,"
observed Mr.. Maxwell, coolly. "And
since have done my best, won't you
try the soup before it is cold?"
The others stared, and Emma
cried; but Mr.. Maye laughed
laughed uproariously
"The best joke of the season! Sit
right down, everybody! Emma, you
foolish girl, don't cry. Arthur
doesn't care. And as for your Flor
entine-Arthur tell Nanny to bring
it on. The proof of the pudding is
in the eating, you know
Miss Emma won't cry when she
tastes my soup" remarked Arthur,
ladling it out promptly, with an air
of pride.
And then they all fell to tasting
and praisiLg, and urging Emma to
taste and praise, until she laughed
and cried all together.
But Mr. Arthur was so delightful,
so winning and so witty, so kind to
his agitated young hostess, and he'd
cooked such an excellent dinner
from the pigeons to the pudding, ev-
erything was perfect.
BY and by Emma was herself
again.
This has taught me lesson" she
said. "I will never be SO desperately
IA -