The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-12
The Euening Story
BY Parcel Post.
(By Catherine .Cooper.)

vanished. His troubles, for the mo-
ment. were lessened by the sight of .
small advertisement his eyes had dis
covered.
When four of his fraternity fellows
had deposited themselves unlimited
into Sneddon's apartment the young
author could do nothing but bow to
the inevitable and invite them all to
dinner.
The dinner for these four men had
been the source of Sneddon's worry.
He could cook an egg or make cup
| of tea for himself, but certainly fried
eggs would not satisfy hungry quar-
tet of men.
Still, Sheldon was sufficiently
proud of his coy den to want his
guests to enjoy it and not have to
| trail out to the nearest chop house.
Consequently, the advertisement
seemed to be the one thing in the
| world destined to cover the young
mans predfcament. He read again
from the slip he had cut from the
paper:
Dinner. cooked. consisting of chick
en-. vegetables. pudding and cheese.
| ETC.. sent on short notice by parcel
post Sufficient for SIX. So. including
| postage"
| Sheldon beamed. Already his mouth
watered in anticipation of the home
cooked dinner. Also, he could be
free to finish 5000 words on his story
before the boys came in from their
trip to Broadway.
He scanned the advertisement for
an address. Sheldon grinned q Sec
| ond time. There was a telephone. ALL
he had to do was to call up and give
his order.
When central rang the number for
him and a feminine voice answered,
Sheldon told her of his predicament.
/ hA fn1d hor hi
she made a note of 1t.
! Il can send you order around by
$780," the voice over the telephone
informed him. "Just heat everything
up and if you enjoy my cooking
! please tell your friends about me-
put up the receiver. e=
| Dinner being SO wonderfully
planned. he went joyfuly to work on
his story.
| At O'Clock a large package arrived
by parcel post. The four guests had
not come in, and Sheldon unpacked
the appetizing basket.
He put the chicken Immediately in
the oven, also the potatoes. There
was another vegetable, cranberry
sauce. celery and g. pumpkin pie that
tempted Sheldon to sample it before
his guests arrived.
He fell to wondering just what a
girl looked like who had conceived
so happy a way Of earning her living.
He remembered that her voice had
rather appealed to him. He felt GER
tain her cooking would do likewise.
Five hungry men sat down later
| and unanimously agreed that Sned-
don Dossessed a marvel of p cook.
They fancied the frilly pink rufus that
adorned the drumsticks and neck of
the bird.
Rather gay for a budding author"
suggested MacLean.
This pie is what mother used to
make" commented Drake.
This fancy cheese makes me think
1 am in the Knickerbocker." laughed
Vale.
Sheldon only smiled.
Where do you keep her?" ques-
toned Drake. You're a sly old fox.
Is she black or white?"
Il rather think she is white,'' Sned-
don said. This entire dinner came
you chaps arrived" He passed the
slip of paper around the table.
by jove-what a ripping ideal"
laughed MacLean.
''She's some girl" nodded Drake.
''She can cook for me any time. -
said Vale. what is the lady's tele-
phone NUMBER"
For some unaccountable reason
sheldon felt irritated because he had
given away the secret OF his we'll
cooked dinner. yet he realized that 1t
would mean new business to the girl.
He pondered many times during the
following days as to what she was
like. His work was progressing we'll
and in order to WOO the mood of in
spirati0n sheldon remained closely
confined to his apartment.
Rather than go out for meals he
cooked whatever seemed handy. AT
the end Of week of strenuous writ
ing he felt the need OF more sustain
ing food than that in which he had
been INDUCING.
i Consequently, rather than break
into his hours OF work he called up
H. Dean, the girl who had saved the
situation for him when the fraternity
boys appeared Unexpectedly.
II am a starving man." he said to
. her over the telephone. What chance
is there of my getting good square
rural meal?''
A laugh trailed over the wire
IF you can exist for another hour
4 can prepare something" she told
him.
1t was under the sixty minutes al
lowed when sheldon answered q light
ring at his do0rbell.
When he opened it he drew a swift
vision in the way of a feminine beauty
stood there. Her basket was swung
carefully over one arm
"I brought your dinner myself. -
she told sheldon. because the parcel
. post would have taken longer" She
/ handed her daint1ly packed basket to
sheldon. The color Of Wild roses
/ seemed to live in her cheekA In hel
. eyes were the sparkle Of heath and
| friendship for the world in general.
You have saved my Efe," was al
, sheldon could think OF by way d
conversation
I'll 1.-THE things viii be scarcely cold.
] the girl said and turned to 90.
Sheldon rang the elevator bell IL