The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-10-13
Won by a Dinner
By DELLA v. AME.S
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

,, had deprived him of his cook. for she
| had drunk it all. and it was necessary
to remove her Mr.. Rorland's stom-
ach was very delicate and could stand
nothing but home cooking.
Mr. Borland that morning had taken
| his breakfast in his room-a boiled
egg. which was the extent of his own
culinary accomplishments. He had
! gone without his luncheon and was
now ruefully wondering what he
! should do for dinner. He caught sight
of his face in mirror and there saw
a sour dyspeptic look that made him
| shiver. At that moment the bell rang.
| He opened the door. There stood a
! young woman decorated with a wild
ow's cap. holding by the hand little
| girl of five.
I us this my flat 2" asked the lady.
II wish it were." replied Borland rue
fully.
But isn't it,"
II hold lease of it,"
"What floor is this?'
1.-The sixth
EAST or west suit?"
East"
There: | told you so! That's the
fat l leased from today. Oct. L."
Mr.. Borland stood thinking. 1t &C.
Cured to him that he had said some
thing to the agent about giving up his
apartments. but nothing definite.
Madame" he said. ''can you cOok?
Eyes. But what has that got to do
with it?''
I'm hungry. If you wish to get
anything out of a man never make
the attempt while his stomach is emp
ty. Come in here and cook me a din
ner and we'll talk about who is the
lessee of the apartments afterward."
1.-THE very thing. 1 haven't had a
bite since breakfast. and my little girl
is starving. We are to move early to-
morrow. and our present quarters are
in horrible condition"
Mr.. Borland had plenty in his larder.
so there was nothing for the widow
to do but go into the kitchen. open the
icebox and take out the principal vi
ands for dinner. Borland took the
little girl into his library. selected
books with pictures for her and left
her immured in them. Then he went to
a closet and took out bottle Of wine.
and the lady in the kitchen heard
that sound. agreeable at any time. but
especially so before dinner. the draw
ing of cork
lo6r IN fhn III ah
opened the door leading into the din
ing room for the purpose of going in
to set the table. Borland was placing
wineglasses.
Anything wanting?" he asked. look
ing at her doubtfully.
"Only napkins. forks, salt and pep
per and plates for the salad"
THAT reminds me-do you like may
onnaise?"
II prefer it to all other kinds of
dressing
VERY we'll. I'll make mayonnaise.
That's the only thing in the prepare
ton of food that can do well. and 1
do that to perfection"
By the time the dressing was fin
ished the dinner was ready. The wild.
ow placed it on the table. Borland
put some books on a chair to make a
higher seat for the little girl. and the
host and cook took seats opposite each
other. AS Borland began to eat the
sour, dyspeptic look left his face. his
eye frightened and a smile lowered
upon his lips. Filling the lady's glass.
he raised his own to his lips and held
it poised. while he said:
II drink to the best dinner I've eaten
in years and to the most accomplished
Ihef. Your health. Mrs.
"Greenough.'
'The devil"'
81 said Greenough."
what Greenough?
Edith Sherman Greenough or Mrs.
James G. Greenough. whichever you
like"
1.-THE devilv repeated Borland, set
ting down his glass. rising from his
seat. leaning over the table and grasp
ing the widows hand.
mot at all; Edith Greenough.'
"Jim Greenough's widow! By Jove!
What a coincidence!'
You are
Edgar Borland."
What. My husbands bosom
friend:"
1.-THE same"
"Oh, dear. Isn't it funny"
Funny! Why. your coming here at
all was godsend to me. but your be-
ing my old chum's widow is delight.
full. My servants are gone. and was
starving"
How pleasant for me too. l hate
restaurants. was expecting to 60 to
bed on crackers and cheese"
Rather a hard bed to sleep on"
When the dinner was finished Bor-
land lighted a cigar and said:
"Well. decline to vacate."
The widow looked surprised.
81 will give you the lease If you like
but you must keep me as WELL"
Nevertheless Borland moved out the