Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-06-19
WHOEVER JUDD'S
HOUSEKEEPER.
The Surprise That Was In Store
For Two Designing Women.
BY ANNE HEiLMAN.

copyrighted, 1909. by Associated Literary
Press.l
Mrs. Plat sat on her front porch,
busy IN braiding a mat. She was one
Of those women one likes to have
about. There was certain comfort
Ing presence In her large figure and
comely face. Although the face when
at rest was somewhat sad. yet 1t was
one Of those beaming faces that seem
full Of love for the whole world-that
Is, for all whom she admitted into her
world. For those outside of Its bounds
she had no use. Just now her thoughts
were busy with her neighbor. I'm whose
direction she sent her glances.
Peters getting his supper early"
she unused. Its pretty lonely for him,
but ! hope he won't be inveigled into
taking Serena Lamb for a housekeeper.
I never was one to promote gossip, but
all Clifton knows that her reputation
for dressing far outdoes her skill In
housekeeping. If ! thought Just
then she turned her head and caught
sight of Mrs. Lamb walking up the
path.
100 bad to see that nice home going
to rack and ruin" Mrs. Lamb began
after settling herself I'm the rocker. II
hear It's fairly swarmlng with mice.
Peter only uses two rooms. Isn't 1t q
wonder he amt picked out house
keeper afore thisT'
1--WE an idea," said Mrs. Plat, en-
deavorlng to speak unconcernedly.
that he'll probably ask you
"Mcv interrupted Mrs. Lamb In an
astonished tone. ME! And with such
famous cook as you next door! Trust
man to get cook when he's free to
pick and choose. Sarah wasn't much
on the cooking. and guess he'll want
n change"
David and I spent twenty-five hap
by years in this house." sighed Mrs.
Plat. It'd como hard for me to leave
It."
"And I couldn't possibly leave my
place." protested Mrs. Lamb. "And
the garden doing so nicely too. You'd
oughter see my strawberries. Emeline.
Peter says they are the finest he ever
saw. I'd bring you over saucerful,
but as Peter was going on 30 about
your getting so stout thought !
wouldn't encourage your appetite any.
Well" looking keenly at her friend to
assure herself that the blow had struck
home, II must be getting on"
Serena Jared forth slowly along the
grassy lane. "Emeline don't care
shucks for Peter judd" she shrewdly
conjectured. David Platt's money Is
more to her than any living man. But
she'd take the place for no other reason
than to keep me out of 1t. AS II any
one would look at her twice when I'm
around" and she glowed with ane
satisfaction as she compared herself
to Mrs. Plat.
TO be sure. Emeline was an umpire
on all the arts Of housekeeping; her
cookery was town talk, while she had
never become proficient In the art. but
there were other ways Of reaching q
mans heart Serena knew, because
she had proved 1t twice.
In fact. neither lady had deceived the
other. Each knew the other. from
widely different motives. stood ready
at moments notice to respond to
Peter Judd's call for housekeeper.
Each knew that Clifton was wonder
ing which Of the two widows who
lived on either side Of Peter would be
called eventually to I'LL the departed
Sarah's place, for the custom prevailed
In Clifton when man was. In the wig
dom Of Providence, bereaved to hunt
out some widow, respected by the COM
munity, to undertake the duties OF
housekeeper. and generally, after de-
cent period Of mourning, the twain be-
came one.
IF Serena makes up her mind to
have Peter he'll have to give in." phi
losophized Mrs. Plat. "She's already
married two that didn't in the least
want her. She's comfortably of. too,
aud don't need to leave her home. l
wouldn't be SO set against it II !
didn't know twas her that interfered
between him and Floretta Young
more'n twenty years ago. Peter up
and married Sarah out of pure spite.
and Floretta took that good for moth
ing Cy Blakey. II ever two people
were cut out for one another. Peter
and Floretta were. Well, as he's held
onf again Serena for over n year he
may escape for good. I'll not worry
any more"
But she did. The chance ana appar-
entity careless remarks that Serena let
fall. as II an understanding existed be-
tween herself and Peter Judd, fretted
Emeline's spirit. In the depths OF her
honest soul she believed that Peter
was a regular caller at the Lamb
home She waited for the announce