Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1911-01-10
The Mysterious
Luncheon


band was a business acquaintance OF
KlmbaIl's and therefore had to be
treated somewhat delicately. she made
a number OF sputtering. inarticulate
noises which ended In quite articu-
late assertion that she would not go.
After she had proclaimed positively
at least dozen times that she would
not go and nothing could induce her
to go, she sat down and meekly In
formed the abhorred Mrs. Carter, per
post, that she would be delighted to
accept her very kind and welcome in
vitation.
The morning of the luncheon
dawned stormy and unpleasant. Mrs.
Kimball protested at every stage OF
her toilet that she could not and would
not go. When she eventually did get
started II was somewhat late, and thc
long trip from her north shore sub
urban home to the South side. punctu-
ated by delays to trains and cars, was
torture to her She breathed sigh
Of relief as, after glancing at her
watch and noting that she was only
five minutes behind the hour appoint
ed, she pressed the electric bell
To her surprise no one opened the
door. She waited a few minutes and
rang again. There was still no re-
Spouse. In some doubt, she rang again.
This time the door was opened about
two inches by maid with a dismal
countenance. An odor as of fried po-
tatoes and other viands which are
usually reserved for purely family oc-
casions slipped past her and faded
away into the street Mrs Kimball
took hesitating step forward.
rs Mrs. Carter at homer" she ven
tured
Don't know" snapped the maid.
but | can go and look If you've
mind to come In"
Mrs. Kimball stepped inside the door
and the maid disappeared, leaving the
guest prey to disquieting surmises.
Was it possible. she asked herself.
that she had mistaken the day? She
put this possibility aside as absurd, as
she had a distinct recollection of the
wording of the invitation Filled with
uneasy thoughts. she heard excited
voices in the rear of the house, but
these were quickly drowned by the
closing of door. After what seemed
an interminable time another door up
stairs opened and her hostess came
rustling down.
'Oh. my dear" she gushed, 81 was
beginning to be afraid you weren't
coming. Come right upstairs with me
and take off your hat, so that we can
be perfectly informal and comfort
able"
She rustled up in front of Mrs. Kim
ball and pushed her affectionately into
a bedroom.
Now, make yourself perfectly at
home" she urged. while l run down
and take a peep into the kitchen. You
know how a housekeeper feels about
seeing to things personally" Then
she disappeared.
I'm sorry to say there is a disap-
pointment In store for you" she began
apologetically when she reappeared
aIter long absence.
Mrs. THRILLER, whom l asked you to
meet. has been taken Ill and was I'M
able to come" She pushed caress-
ing arm through her guests before
she continued: But l just couldn't
let myself be disappointed of you and
thought you and l could have a nice
little home luncheon together"
Arm in arm they descended the
stairs, and were just about to turn
into the living room when they were
halted by the sound Of a loud trucu-
lent voice.
Say. Mrs. Carter" called the voice,
didn't better get three pounds OF
steak? With company and the chill
dren no two pounds won't go round.
hardly"
Mrs. Carter turned a brilliant GRIM
son and dropped her guests arm.
Excuse me just a minute" she said.
There seem to be domestic compl-
cations"
Mrs. KimbalI wandered into the liv-
Ing room and once more waited. Near
ly an hour later. when the guest was
almost in the last throes of hunger,
luncheon was served.
It consisted of steak, baked potatoes,
beans which had evidently been sum-
moned from can, shrimp salad bear
Ing the same impress, canned peaches
and bakery cake. There were no chill
dren present. Mrs. Carter and Mrs.
Kimball lunched In solitary state,
waited upon by an evidently much ag-
grieved maid
After a short and somewhat feverish
visit with her hostess, Mrs. Kimball
took her departure.
All the way home she wondered
what 1t all meant. She knew she
hadn't been mistaken In the day. Since
she was expected. what possible expla-
nation was there OF her peculiar recep-
ton?
At her own door she was met by
Caroline. her own maid, with a tele-
vram "This came inst after Won left