Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-09-30

IF you're looking fop a widder wo
man. why. there's the Wilder Gala
han over to Cottonwood" suggested
Link jntoSely.
NO. thanks: merely looking for the
Frakes. | thought they still lived
here. You said the Palace inn. didn't
your
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 pretentious title for such a warped
and shabby old wooden structure, but
the yeranda was filled with comforta-
BILE chairs and scattered potted plants,
and the window curtains were snowy
white. There was the odor of baking
cake from the kitchen in the rear.
The stranger went into the cubby-
hole of an office and. finding it empty.
walked through the long dining room
to the hot kitchen, He stood there for
five minutes watching Mrs. Bassett as
she few from one task 10 another,
plump. rosy and pretty, but with a
strained look in her dark eyes. She
was directing the movements OF stu
pid looking German waiter and scold-
ing panic stricken Chinese.
Now. Carl. see that the table is
properly set before you ring the bell.
understand? Yesterday you forgot to
put bit of siverware out, and you
lost half hour running in and out
after forks and spoons. Wah Lee, ]
will show you what to do in moment.
No, you can't do the cooking, IL Sam
Zee had not left me in such a hurry!
Oh, dear. | would give anything for
a cook that could brolI a steak and
Hes here. ma'am,' said the stran-
ger calmly.
Mrs. Bassett whrled 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 q newly baked pie on the
kitchen table,
"YouS What do you want?'' she
asked bluntly.
"a job. can cook" said the other
Lena Bassett hesitated very WELL
she said suddenly. MY Chinaman left
yesterday and there isn't soul here
can do bit of cooking except myself.
Wah Lee. take Mr-what did you say
your name WASP" she asked.
Il didn't say, but it's Dick" said the
stranger as he gave his suit case to
the little Chinese.
well, Dick. suppose yon get into
one of Carts white coats ard aprons
and make yourself q 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 grimiy,
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 curious!y.
The German nodded his blond head.
t0ht All say WI Is ulS we
Broadway STUFF"
Where is-he?" asked Mrs. Bassett
diffidently.
He has went to bed-dog tired"
Mrs. Bassett went into the parlor
and sat by the open window. Her
pretty face was study in emotions
At supper time the boarders took up
a two bit collection for the new cook
as mark of gratitude for wonderful
Dutch apple cake he had concocted.
Here" said Lena, holding out the
handful of coins.
The new cook hesitated. redeemed
and then took the coins and put them
in his pocket ''I'n give them to my
wife, he said gravely.
You are marriedf" 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 a distant corner to eat 1t 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
INJURED rogretfully. "und he can such
eggs cook
week passed by uneventfully. The
recreant Sam Lee did not return. and
the boarders at the Palace inn to a
man declared that they would leave in
body If Mrs Bassett did not keep the
new cook.
The fame of the Palace inns table
spread throughout the county. and the
dollars ratified into the Office drawer
with astonishing rapidity. The red
haired cashier was warm In her praise
Of the new cook, and she paid him lit
tie attentions that brought down upon
her frivolous head the wrath of Mrs.
Hassett.
He's married man. admonished
Lena Bassett coldly.
1T can't matter to you so long as
he isn't married to you" said the cash
Ter saucily, and she was disconnected
at the effect OF this remark upon her
employer.
Mrs. Bassett Redeemed. then paled,
and without another word marched
away to the kitchen. where she flung
herself upon the shoulder Of the star
tied cook and burst into tears
Dick" she walled. IF you don't
speak to me shalt go crazy"
"My own DEAR cried Dick, drop
ping a spider of fried potatoes to fold
her in his arms.
At that moment the cashier poked
her rudy head into the room In search
of her employer. She found her in
the embrace of the new cook. At the
sight she scattered back to her desk