The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-09-24
Cook 5
Romance


Nettie. miss of 49, The mother and
daughter were holding family coun-
ell over Hannah the cook, who had
been with them for five long years
and was still rustling in the kitchen.
Hannah WAS 40 years old. weighed
almost 200 pounds and was jewel
That is, she has been up to very late
ly. They couldn't say enough In
praise OF her, and she hadn't demand
ed more wages because they praised
her.
A month before this family council
OF two opened there had come a
change. Hannah had become fidgety
1t was known that she was writing
letters and secretly posting them. 1t
WAS known that she had taken a box
at the postofiice. 1t was known chat.
instead of going to bed at 8 o'clock.
as all Jewels OF cooks do, she was
strolling in the back yard and repeat
ing lines of poetry and signing long
drawn signs.
What can 1t be, mother-what can
1t be?" asked the daughter.
Hannah had selected a particular
| advertisement and answered it. She
had bought pink stationery. She had
licked the two-cent stamp on in the
most loving manner
The advertisement was that of a
young man who wanted to be loved
by a steadfast girl. If he could find
such he would make her very happy.
Was not Hannah a girl-an old girl?
Was she not steadfabt? She wrote
and received an answer, and the af-
fair was on. If the family council
| only had thought of romance all
would have been clear; but it didn't.
And what made mother and daugh-
ter more anxious was the fact that
Rodney Bingham. a young gentleman
of %, whom they had met at resort
during the summer, was coming to
pay Frank visit Mr.. Bingham ar
rived. Hannah was all smiles She
was also seen to blush The red on
her cheeks was not from the kitchen
range, but a real. genuine blush She
got good view of him from a corner
of the house as he drove up. The
night was long one to her. At the
first signs of dawn she dressed and
left the house and gathered few late
flowers in the garden for bouquet
With this in hand she re-entered
the house and softly made her way to
the guests room, and after bestowing
kiss on the flowers she left them
at his door. When Mr.. Bingham arose
and found them he carried them to
the breakfast table in his hand and
gave Miss Nellie a smiling nod for
her courtesy and thoughtfulness
After breakfast Frank and his
friend walked out to the stables to In
spect the auto. Hannah met them
face to face and smiled at Mr. Bling
ham. Her whole loving heart was in
that smile, but he couldn't understand
it. Tint afternoon Hannah met him
in the upper hall by design and smiled
hand Mr.. Bingham was too aston
ished TO return the note or to ask
for an explanation. When he came
to read the note he found:
You have come to your own true
love Meet her in the garden at 8
o'clock tonight Beware Of Miss Net.
tie. Be true to me-"
1t was an embarrassing position for
Mr.. Bingham. The note and the smiles
Indicated that his hosts cook was In
,, love with him, and he was stunned
He did not keep the appointment
made, and there was another bouquet
at his door next morning. Tied to II
with a piece of store Irvine was an
other perfumed note, which read
81 waited for you for two long
hours. but you did not come. If Miss
Nettie has got you away from me then
both of you beware"
Young Mr.. Bingham had never pass
| ed through an earthquake nor cy
clone. but he saw signs in the air and
took the family into cGLncil What
! ails Hannah" became the topic. II
was decided that they must go to the
1 fountain-head to find out. The cool
was bearded in her den. She was
/ dignified She was reserved Sht
was quietly defiant When pressed
she discharged herself on the spo
/ and demanded to see Mr.. Bingham
/ 1t was full hour before the RICH
trail was struck. Even then Hannal
could not give up. She brought on
five or six love letters, which she hat
believed had been written by youn,
Mr. Bingham. and they were passed
around to be read There was laugh
ter and ridicule and criticism. but /
needed one thing moro
That one thing came 1t was a red
headed. shabbily. dressed man VIII,
Knocked at the kitchen door He ha,
one eye. He had large ears. He hat
scraggly chin whiskcrs.
No vittles!" said Hannah.
He winked al her and took her pinl
letters out of his pocket and wante,
to shake hands.
'You!" she exclaimed in voice O
contempt.
Yes, darling!"
4 "Skatel"
4 Miss Nettie and Mr. Bingham ar
getting along as well as could be ex
pected. and brother Frank sometime
forgets himself and bursts out with:
"Whan Rod pinphan bnc,p,ac ~,