El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-03

1t was Carrie, Warren's married sister,
her husband and the two children Mr..
and Mrs. Curtis came last.
Helen had told Maggie they would
have dinner promptly at 2, but it was
20 minutes after before they were all
seated at the table. And Helen was
wondering anXiOuSly if Maggie could
manage to keep so many things warm
on the gas stove.
The first few moments at the table
were relieved from awkwardness by
the childrens delight in the little
favOrs at their plates.
Instead of oysters, they had Italian
hors d'oeuvre, tiny curled up anchovies
and pimientos. Helen thought the pi-
mientos a delicious appetizer, and their
bright red color seemed particularly
appropriate.
But, to her dismay, Mr.. Curtis SPAR
ingly tasted of an anchOvy and prompt
y laid down his fork. Oh, why had
she tried to have anything different for
the Curtises.
She felt relieved when Maggie took
away the plates and served the soup,
cream of celery, That, at least was in.
noxiOus enough.
All the time, Helen was conscious
that Carrie was taking in every de-
tail OF the table.
Dessert Is Missing.
MAY I speak to you a moment
mann Maggie whispered over Helen's
shoulder, as she passed the cauliflOwer.
Instantly Helen sensed that some
thing had gone wrong. With a muir
INJURED excuse. she left the table and
hurried out to the kitchen.
That cream amt come yet, ma am
announced Maggie.
Not comet Why didn't you tell me
before?' excitedly. The whole Curtis
family would feel they haven't had any
dinner If they didn't have dessert It's
too late to phone again. They couldn't
get It here in time now. Oh, can't you
suggest something desperately.
Couldn't you go out and get some
There wouldn't be no place open to-
day.
"Oh, ma'am, I have it" Maggie's
face lit up with a sudden inspiration.
Jane, that's Mrs. Martins girl just
sent me down this" taking from the
cupboard an expensive looking candy
basket filled with minths. They had
EN- for each plate, but Mrs Martins
folks, who lives somewhere in jersey,
just telegraphed they couldn't come.
So they've got a big dinner up there
and nobody to eat it. and I'm sure
Borrowing. Ice Cream.
But Helen did not wait for further
explanations. She had already dashed
out into the hall and was ringing wild
" for the elevator She knew Mrs
Martin only slightly. but the thought of
the Curtis family eating their way eX-
pectantly toward the dessert made her
too desperate to stand on ceremony.
viii you tell Mrs. Martin that Mrs.
Curtis wishes to see her for just a mo-
ment?" she demanded excitedly of the
maid who came to the door.
"Oh," as Mrs. Martin appeared, II
came Up to ask yOu-Oh, hardly know
how to put it-but I've all of Mr.. Cur
tis's family for dinner-and-the ice
cream didn't cOme-and-and We
haven't thing for dessert! And I
Il wondered if
Helen never forgot Mrs. Martins
quick and sympathetic response to her
stammered appeal.
We've a whole freezer full OF cream
out there-three quarts of it, I'll have
Jane send it right down on the dumb
me- know what it is to entertain
ones husbands people, laughingly.
Hurry back now, and when they're
gone you and Mr. Curtis come up and
have supper with US. 1t will be real
benevolence to help US get rid Of some
OF this food"
Helen rushed down to her apartment
and in the kitchen with a joyous ex-
element.
ITS all right. Maggie Mrs Martins
sending down a whole freezer OF
cream"
Mono, you mustn't have any more
gravy, Carrie was admOnlshlng her
little girl, when Helen came back to
the table IF you do, you can't have
any dessert"
win it be ice cream whispered the
child hopefully.
Maybe it will. You wait and see"
YES, dear; it's going to be ice cream"
laughed Helen. Maggie was afraid
they'd forgotten to deliver it-that's
why she called me out. But it just this
minute came"