Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-14
3u OCTAVE TT1ANET

more; come on let US try the coffee" She propelled
Mrs Prentice out of the room then like flash darted
back and into Dorothys; turned on her sister-one
scntillating smile, and Rugged her.
Dorothy burst into historical laughter But IN
moment she was out of bed and brisky arranging
the room, packing away Agatha's tempting display.
By dint of refoding many times she secured a very
creditabe imitation of her maids neat packing. AT
this point she sat down. she felt little faint People
don't think enough of the hungry" said she solemny
But she turned smile of resolutc cheerfulness toward
the door which was opening; and the checrtulness
merged into wild delight when Agatha entered with
tray on which displayed steaing pot OF coffee
a rasher of bacon, plate of toast and the whtest
and largest of eggs.
''Now, eat slowly and little at time" said Agatha,
Starving people must be careful Give me some in
the toothbrush mug she thinks I've had my break
fast at the restaurant. Dodo we have got the job
Three meals a day and corleing fun Are you with
me?'
Agatha, you are greatl" cried Dorothy; SOS the
bacon | never had such delicious meal in my iite
Isn't this the loveest Thanksgiving was!"
Mrs Prentice, trembling with quite new kind OF
excitement was watching Dorothy put the last touches
on a table utterly unlike any within her experience.
.rDont it look beautiful |" she murmured to Dorothy,
81 never did expect to see such table in house;
and all that old pewter you spent such time polish
ing up-why it looks grand; and your sister. she's
real capable She said we had to have candies and
yellow candies and you sugared the orange peel
and put yellow frosting the marshmellcws we
got at the store but the is the best of al
"You mean our putting it into the pumpkin since
you hadn't any mod?"
"Of course and it was you who thought of that and
putting blanched almonds in for seeds It's going to
be lovely dnnerl And I'll confess to you, it's the
first time in my life I've had Madam Prentice take
a meal with and not been scared to death. You
see she is so capablel And l always feel her eyes
boring into things do hope she'll decide to sell that
furniture to you instead of to the young manp'
'Well, even Madam Prentice might be proud of
such beautiful table as this" said Dorothy.
ut does look NICE" agreed Mrs. Prentice. and
you you do look Just too cute for anything! That
waist of your sisters fits you like it was made for
YOU and all those things she had sent UP from Jordan
Marshswell they do dress hired girl up, don't they!
guess Madam Prentice will stare. 1t was certainly
good of you and your sister not to mind if | asked
Cathie's beau and his aunt. Oh, hope you amt
scared"
Was it the shy Dorothy who answered mot bit
She couldn't believe in herself cts too good to be
true" she confessed to Agatha, who in the tu
ultuous last stages of dinner with pots and pans on
every available spot of table or stove
81 don't know why I'm not scared; fancy it is
because poor Mrs. Prentice is so much more termed
than ever was"
"You look fetching enough to make our hated rival
fall in love with you," said Agatha. when we get
home you remind that I'm never to be cross at
cook for getting into huddle just before dinner
The tnkle of the door-bell reminded Dorothy that
her part in this little domestic scene was beginning.
She went the door because the guests were arriving
in body Madam Prentice entered first She was
not tall but so that she gave the beholder an
impression of height. She bristing black silk
and most impressive black front" and white turban
Her eyes piercing and had been fine Miss Akers.
the aunt, was a spinster who did not look for
midable The lover, himself, short and fair and
rather Dorothy waited on them with her best
imitation of her own French maids assduous polite
ness and accent She was in the hall laden with the
ladies' wraps when the door opened and the fourth
member of the party who had tarried to speak with
the driver of the hack which had fetched them.
tered the hall
He was Edward Wentworth
She looked at him FULL and did not finch How
could she? There the dinner to be served there
were poor Mrs. Prentce's pathetic hopes of pleasing
her daughters lover and his powerful aunt-no, she
did not finch With Thereses accent to the fore she
offered to take his hat and coat. He bushed up to
his eyes.
Certainly not" he. stammered. His hand went out
to snatch away her burden Of wraps then fell to his
side He walked away In truth, Ned Wentworth's
senses were staggering. He was utterly contounded
by his cousins appearance. =
Dorothy's first impulse was to tell Agatha in the
kitchen, but she remembered that Agatha was dfsh-
ing up the dinner, very flushed if not nervous; and
she could not add feathers weight to her cares.
eve really ought to think more of the cooks feel
ngs."-reAected Dorothy, and she smiled on Agatha
who was pushing the turkey through an uncertain
slide
Hold it up" commanded the chef, cts simply
abominable concern likely to tumble at any minute
Prop it up with this piece of kindng-wood! Hows
the dinner going? Did they say anything about the
green saucer
zone of the gentlemen said it was delicious; he