The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-14
The .EDe,,i,,e Story
Bridget.
(By Jean Dickerson.)

Bridget.
(By Jean Dickerson.)
The Caldwells reached the station
just as their train drew in from the
east. Among the passengers arriving
was tall young man with a suitcase.
At sight of Dick Caldwell and his VIE
he uttered an exclamation OF pleasure.
Jack Benton!" cried Mrs. Caldwell
distractedly. "Of course you were
coming to us-oh, Dick, the train u
moving-go to the house, Jack. and
be home tonight!
until tonight. them" Jack Benton
waved his hat as the train rumbled
away He strobe down the platform
new summer home, and finding 1t Just
two miles by the pleasant. shady road,
he decided not to wait for the stuffy
station stage.
unused. f.rhis walk is Certainly going
to give me an appetite,
Miss Bridget Wren was busting the
living room when her small niece dis
covered stranger WITHIN the gates
Of the tiny domain.
Bridget, dear, here come another
agent" announced Polly.
"Bother!' scolded Bridget: that's
the third one tbs morning! Can't
the seashore to be pestered by book
agents? I don't wonder cook was dis
satisfied and discharged herself with
Hannah. Go to the door. Polly, ana
shoe the good man away.
The knocker sounded a sharp rat
a-tat and Polly went giggling to the
door.
sPlease, good lran, we don't want
anything today" lisped Polly. politely.
and then, after q second glance at the
amused stranger. she cast aside all for
malities and threw herself into his out
stretched arms.
"Oh, Mr.. Jack! I haven't seen you
for a thousand years I must tell
Bridget that I thought you were an
other book agent-it is SO funny!
She led him, laughing, to seat In
the now vacant living room. and dis
appeared.
was to take care Of me-and you may
| tell her that I'm hungry as bear!"
called Jack after her
1.-THE ideal" cried Bridget when Pol
ly discovered her in the kitchen
..It's q cooks name." observed Polly
sagely.
often, my dear; I'm sure Mr.. Benton
believed Lille was referring to her
he had never seen. We will not dis
appoint your hungry friend. Polly!
Don't you breathe a word to the con-
itrary-let him think I am the cook.
Take him into the garden or down to
the beach while I prepare luncheon.
Half an hour later Polly Caldwell
was demurely seated at the head of
1.-The table while Jack Benton. highly
amused at the small maiden's as
sumption of her mothers dignity,
chatted to her of places where he had
been and of interesting animals he
knew.
He tasted the fluffy omeIet and
grew enthusiastic. Bridget is some
cook!" he exclaimed.
At that moment he saw for the first
| time the author OF the omelet
Bridget had kept out of the dining
room but now. she must bring in the
salad.
Polly buried a crimson face in her
napkin when she saw Bridget's fair
hair twisted into hard hump on top
of her head. The heat Of the fire
had brought a fierce color into her
cheeks. In spite of her print frock
and the plainness of her hair dressing.
Bridget was as pretty az a picture.
80 that is Bridget" gasped Ben
ton when the fairy-like form had de-
parted.
YES" Polly emerged from the nap
kin, all a-dimple with fun. Taste the
Internationally says Bridget's
1T Isl" agreed Benton seriously.
II can't imagine anyone parting with
Bridget, If only for the omelet. She
is a treasure OF a cook
''She makes lovely pies, too." went
lon Polly, warm in the praise of her
beloved aunt. ''Once when she made
Ia lemon meringue pie-that's daddy's
! favortte deasert. you know-well.
once. daddy tasted It, then jumped
up and kissed Bridget before the whole
ltable-we had company that day." she
added innocently.
Jack Benton choked. During the
spasm of coughing that followed his
. face grew quite red. Bridget, herself
, was a delectable morsel.
How he longed to ask If Bridget had
, resented Dick Caldwells enthusiastic
appreciation Of her cookery! But. OF
course, he could not take advantage OF
| Polly's innocent prattle.
Then Bridget came In, this time with
| head poised haughtily, bearing in heI
small hands a silver tray which she sci
before Jack Benton. On the tray was q
I delicious looking lemon meringue pie
: one plate and silver fork. Also, t.
: Polly's disgust, was a china bowl con
tanning large baked apple smothered
In thick cream.
{ Bridget, can't have any pie?'' she
l quavered, a. Bridget deity removed
t the salad course.
i bridget looked severely at her small
/ niece
81 your mamma doesn't want you tc
/ eat pie. Miss Polly" she said respect
! fully.
iher discretion.
Tears Of anger New into her lovely
/ Il think you're the meanest thing
Yars5~~< 1amnnfvps che arreau.od an.