Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-09-10

Mabel Herbert 20 away
I,.,.. For q second
Helen was tempt
ed to rush TO- the door, fling 1t open
and confront Emma with her lie. But
with the Stevenses coming to dinner.
1t was not an opportune time for
q scene.
Besides, Emma's month was up
the 10th, and Helen had already told
her to look for another place.
She could not longer put up with her
untruthfulness. her furtiveness and
her intimacy with the Gordons'
maid.
The mayonnaise. beaten to a
creamy smoothness. Helen now put
In the ice: gave a few adjusting
touches to the sideboard and table,
and went in to dress. Knowing 1t
would take several weeks to break
In a new girl, she was having the
Stevenses before Emma left.
She had taken down her hair when
she thought of the egg for the salad.
Last time it had not been hard enough
the yolk was gluey.
"Emma!" runnin. back to the
kitchen. but the only answering
sound was the gurgle of the boiling
potatoes. Emma was not there!
Was she over with the Gordons
maid again? Helen opened the door
and rang fnriously their kitchen bell,
which could be heard across the hall.
Emma" as the girl came sheep
ishly out. cant you stay in your
own kitchen long enough to get din.
ner?"
Il just wanted to take back a lem
on / borrowed" with evasive eyes.
How many times have I told you
not to borrow of the Gordons? When
did you need a lemon? We always
have lemons"
"Oh, 1t was last week. when-when
we had that salmon.
Emma's glib lies were ever ready
With an effort Helen let this one pass
told her CURLY about the egg. and
went back to her room.
Sitting on the floor to put on heI
slippers. she was startled by an ex
plosion that sounded alarmingly
near. But, as no commotion followed
she decided it was a bursting tire in
the street below.
A few moments later the doorbell
rang. II couldn not be the Stevenses
1T was only half-past six! Even
Warren had not come yet.
Again the bell, a clamorous peal
Where was Emma? Why did she
not answer It? Had she dared to &c
over to the Gordons' again?
Throwing on a kimono, Helen ran
out to the hall The Stevenses would
net ring like that! Standing back OF
the door. she opened 1t a few inches
A glimpse Of Emma's white apron
she had locked herself out!
Helen. furious, flung wide the
door. Then she saw that something
had happened. There stood the Cor
dons' maid. white as chalk. Emma
her face covered with her hands. was
leaning tremblingly against the wall
"Oh-oh. the oven!" she sobbed. III
1T exploded"
That was what she had heard!
Helen few out to the kitchen, ex
pecting to see 1t in flames, but there
was only a dense smoke and q sitting
smell Of gas. She flung up the win
dow, turned OF the still escaping gas
and ran back to Emma.
Her hairs all scorched. ma'am.'
whispered the Gordon's maid.
Scorched! Helen had thought she
was only frightened. Drawing her
to the light. she saw that her hair
was badly singed.
why. Emma" taking the girls
hands from her face, and your eye.
brows. too! Oh, I'm so sorry. Wait.
Helen few for the cold cream.
Here. rub this on-does II smart ?"
The girl nodded and rubbed the
cream on her soot-streaked face.
"Oh, she came runnin' out SO scored
she couldn't speak," the Gordons'
maid still clutching tea towel and q
plate of the Gordons' best china.
Il heard the explosion" admitted
Helen. but l didn't dream it was in
our kitchen. Warren" she called ex.
citedly. Come herein Emma's room!
The stove exploded"
Without waiting to take on his over.
coat, Warren came rushing out.
How'd this happen" as he quick.
ly examined the singed hair and eye
brows. Then. turning to Helen.
Wed better have a doctor here"
"Oh. no. sir. I'm ell right. I don't
need q doctor" protested Emma.
Il hardly think she does. DEAR" muir.
INJURED Helen. thinking of the expense,
yet hating herself for it.
Then she'll have to lie down. She'll
in no condition to serve dinner. Wen
take the Stevenses out"
"Oh. dear, that isn't necessary.
Emma has it all ready: We can serve
It ourselves. There they are now!" a
the bell rang.
You stay here with her. I'll co." and
Warren strobe to the door.
Mrs. Stevens In any emergency
was always most capable, and now
she came hurrying out. anxious to
help.
"What're you using-coid cream! I
think olive oils much better"
Helen brought the OIL and As.