Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-10-09

han over to Cottonwood" suggested
Link loosely.
NO. thanks: merely looking for the
Frakes. | thought they still lived
here. You said the Palace inn. didn't
you:"
Yep: at the end Of the street."
Thanks" The stranger went on
down the Struggling street to the red
painted door of the Palace inn. 1t was
a p%retentious title for such Il warped
and shabby old wooden structure, but
the veranda was filled with comforta-
BILE chairs and scattered ported plants.
and the window curtains We're snow
white. There was the odor of baking
cake from the kitchen in the rear.
h stranger went into the cubby-
hole Of an Office and. finding n empty.
walked through the long dining room
to the hot kitchen. He stood there for
five minutes watching Mrs. Bassett as
she flew from one task to another,
plump. rosy and pretty. but with u
strained look in her dark eyes. She
was directing the movements of a stu
pid looking German waiter and scold-
ing a panic stricken Chinese.
Nov. Carl. see that the table is
properly set before you ring the bell.
understand? Yesterday you forgot to
put a bit of Silverware out, and you
lost a half hour running in and out
after forks and spoons. Wah Lee. l
will show you what to do in a moment.
No. you can't do the cooking! If Sam
Lee a not left me in such a hurry!
Oh. dear, | would give anything for
a cook that could broil a steak and
He's here. ma'am." said the stran-
ger calmly.
Mrs. Bassett whirled around and
stared at the newcomer. Her rosy
cheeks grew pale and then red, and
her eyes were first flaming yellow and
then dark brown. Her hands shook as
she placed a newly baked pie on the
kitchen table.
"You? What do you want?" she
asked bluntly.
"a job. can COOK said the other.
Lena Bassett hesitated. Every WELL
she said suddenly. MY Chinaman left
yesterday and there isn't a soul here
can do a bit of cooking except myself.
Wah Lee. take Mr.-what did you say
your name WASP" she asked.
II didn't say. but it's Dick" said the
stranger as he gave his suit case to
the little Chinese.
"Well, Dick, suppose you get into
one of Carts white coats and aprons
and make yourself a paper cap and
get to work. This is the day we have
beefsteak and it's got to be cooked
right"
II can do it," said the other grimly,
and he set to work.
Three hours later Lena Bassett sat
on the kitchen doorstep talking to the
waiter. Carl.
Then they liked the new cooking?"
she asked curiously.
The German nodded his blond head.
yah. All say vot is dis we eat
Broadway stuff"
Where is-he?' asked Mrs. Bassett
d%ifidently.
He has went to bed-dog tired"
Mrs. Bassett went into the parlor
and sat by the open window. Her
pretty face was a study in emotions.
at supper time the boarders took up
a two bit collection for the new cook
as a mark of gratitude for a wonderful
Dutch apple cake he had concocted.
Here" said Lena. holding III the
handful Of coins.
The new cook hesitated, Redeemed
and then took the coins and put them
in his pocket. It'll give them to my
WIFE" be said gravely.
You are married?" asked Lena
quickly.
Yes"
Mrs. Bassett smiled oddly and went
to eat her supper alone in the empty
dining room. When the new cook
brought his own tray Of food and re-
tired to Il distant corner to a it she
gave no sign that she noticed his in
!, trusion. Carl. who ate in the Kitchen
peered fearfully at the bold cook
. though a crack in the pantry door.
He will get himself fred" he muir
j, INJURED regretfully, "und he can Sucl
+ eggs cook"
q A week passed by uneventfully. Ths
recreant Sam Lee did not return. ant
the boarderS at the Palace inn to :
man declared that they would leave il
a body if Mrs. BaSsett did not keep the
+ new cook
The fame Of the Palace inns tabl'
spread throughout the county, and tn
: dollars ratified into the Office drawe
e with astonishing rapidity. The RET
haired cashier was warm in her prais
Y Of the new cook, and she paid him lit
tie attentions that brought down upol
+ her frivolous head the wrath of Mrs
Bassett.
He's a married man." admonishe
n Lena Bassett coldly.
d 1T can't matter to you so long a
he isn't married to you" said the casE
4 Ter saucily, and she was disconcerte
at the effect Of this remark upon be
d employer.