The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-01-23

house, but don't know what should
have done without you. Now haste
the mutton. please. You must stay
here and have your trunk sent for"
Il shall have to go back to pack my
things" hazarded Sylvia.
20. very WELL" said Mrs. Chambers,
looking angry again. That's always
the way. However, IL you must 60
suppose you must. Now peel the potar
toes"
Three-quarters of an hour later the
dinner was done, and almost stimuli
taneously there came ring at the
front door.
There's Alphonse," said Mrs. Cham
bers. II suppose he has left his key
at the Office again. Really, men are
very trying! Now, you bring In the
dinner in exactly five minutes, while
l get the table laid. Alphonse comes
home ravenous, and he won't wait"
Sylvia did some hard thinking dur
ing those five minutes. This introduc-
ton to the Chambers family had al
ready ceased to be entertaining. but
anyway 1t was possible that Mrs.
Chambers was a little eccentric and
that her husband would make things
right. And she did want that position
badly. Since Mrs. Chambers had made
no mention of the salary perhaps her
husband did have little to say upon
certain details of her occupation.
Then a new thought came to Sylvia
hrgf ~ hnrs lNoxN 90
jealous nature. Perhaps that was why
Mr.. Chambers had left her to select
the secretary. And she had been
chosen because she was not pretty.
Sylvia smiled. She had never been
vain. but Harry well, it was a
strange situation.
Five minutes precisely after Mrs.
Chambers had departed Sylvia, carry
ing tray loaded with dishes, plates
and large platter on which the leg
of mutton reposed in pond of gravy,
made her appearance in the dining
room. Happily for her hostess's peace
of mind and carpet Sylvia was too we'll
loaded with her burden to look up
until she had placed it upon the serv-
Ing table. Then she perceived, seated
at the table, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers,
and-Harry Cowle.
She stared at him for an instant in
wild DISQUALIFICATION turned and
made for the door. Harry had just
time to catch her as her hand was
upon the handle.
"Sylvia!" he cried triumphantly,
and strained her to his heart
Harry" shouted Mr.. Chambers.
What is the matter? Have you gone
crazy?"
NO" answered Harry, still holding
Sylvia tightly, mot now. l have been
insane, almost, trying to locate Miss
Latham, since she ran away from us
three weeks ago. l had decoy adj
vertisement in the Sunday papers, for
secretary, but not single answer
rewarded my efforts. Sylvia, dearest,
look at mel It's all right now. Fa-
Their says he wants you as much as /
do. He can't find his papers and every
things going to rack and ruin, and he
guesses you'll have to come into the
family to straighten out his affairs.
Yes, Mrs. Chambers, of course, have
met Sylvia before. Why-see here,
Alphonse, Miss Latham and l have
been engaged for months"
We'll, you certainly will enjoy your
meals II you marry cook" said Mrs.
Chambers witheringly.
"Cook? She's splendid cook" said
70. u II
mean by that, Mrs. Chambers? Sylvia
isn't cook. Sylvia, dearest, you aren't
a cook are your"
II thought ] was a private secre-
tary," said Sylvia, in tears. "But it
seems that I'm cook now. o, let me
go, Harry"
Didn't you answer my advertise
ment for a cook?" demanded Mrs.
Chambers of the girl. But before Syl-
Wit could reply Alphonse Chambers
brought his fist down with jar that
set the glasses dancing upon the table.
IL see it now!" he yelled. Harry,
they must have mixed the advertise
at the newspaper office. That's
why l got five hundred applications
for a secretary's position yesterday.
Yes. got this lady's too, but 1t was SO
vague | thought 1t was in answer to
Mrs. Chambers advertisement for a
cook"
What" shouted Harry. Then
that's why mother has been wrestling
with the servant problem all yester-
day and today. There were twenty
waiting to see her when left home"
Mrs. Chambers got up from the
table, walked to Sylvia, and drew her
into her arms.
I'm sorry, my DEAR" she whispered,
caressing her. II think you will make
a splendid wife for Harry. Come and
sit down and we'll forget this little
Misunderstanding"
"Uh!" munched Mr.. Chambers.
From the taste of this mutton feel
rather sorry it was a misunderstanding
ing"
Copyright, 1914, by w. G. Chapman)
Worrying the OIL Dealers.
The olive oil dealers Of southern