The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-28
The Euening Story
The Substitute Cook.
(By Louise Oliver.)

Ting aling, a-ling, a-ling,
Don't you hear the bell ring?
The letter mani The milk man.
The man that brings the water
Quoted Dorothy. as the electric
buzzer below stairs sounded for the
tenth time that morning. She put
down her dust cloth and started for
the door.
Another agent, I'll wager any
thingi I'm getting expert on the
real estate for spot cash. It's a good
thing she isn't home today. I've
scared away a Dozen
Dorothy opened the front door bel
ligerently. "Well?" she demanded of
the young man who stood there.
81 should like to see Mrs. Bren-
ming. Is she at homer
Dorothy mentally surveyed herself
in her dust cap and Bingham apron.
She was also quite sure of a smudge
on her nose. mo, the missuS isn't
in she said with finality.
Inc Inc young man did not move I'VE He
though loath to leave without ex-
planning about it. Perhaps you will
do he insisted confidently.
THE men with baking powder and
blueing have already been here, so
has the lady with the newest cooking
book and the one with the quickest
silver polish Two magazine men
and broom man have just gone.
There is nothing else We need. Good
day" Dorothy turned and started to
close the door.
But L have nothing to sell, really.
If you will just let me explain"
Dorothy shook her head with firm
ness. The crack of the open door di-
minished slowly but surely to mere
thread. They all say that. No,
nothing today, thanks and she just
Oh 10
of the family next door is Jenks.'
Then the door shut end Dorothy
flew to her cleaning. ''1f Aunt Ber-
tina doesn't come With g. maid this
to have all the work to do and the
bell to answer
Aunt Bertha returned, as Dorothy
had feared, with no maid and no
prospect OF any. To make matters
worse, a letter came that afternoon
from Bob, Dorothy's brother, in col
lege- Dear Aunty and Sis" it read.
I've arranged for Davis, captain of
the Worcester football team, to meet
me at home to discuss bookings for
coming games L expected to make
it by tomorrow Thursday, but
turned my ankle in the gym this
morning, and that means Saturday
at least, before 1 can get around. Da-
Wis expects to be in town week or
so, anyway, so it won't make much
difference to him about my delay.
Only II ne comes AROUND put MN up,
will you. Treat him we'll and feed
him Che boards) and help him to put
in the time. I'll be along about Sat
urday evening. Lovingly, Bob"
II can't be a kitchen angel and
parlor angel at the same time, Aunt
Bertha. Which shall it be?'
AS if in answer to her question,
man came up the steps and rang the
bell. They had a splendid view of
him from the library window, and
Dorothy recognized him instantly as
her agent of the morning. At the
same time Aunt Bertha remarked ex-
citedly, why, 1 believe that's Bob's
friend, now!"
Dorothy recalled the mans protests
and his attempts to explain something
she had refused to hear. and she had
a sickening feeling that her aunt was
right, and that with her usual habit
of jumping to conclusions she had
made a nice mess of things.
"Aunty,' she gasped, 1--WE can't let
him in. That's the man I told you
about. who thought 1 was the maid,
But, Dorothy, We'll have to- as
the bell rang again BOD would
Dorothy's brain worked quickly.
"AIl right" she Interrupted, jumping
up and making for the door. HE
thinks I'm the maid. Then I'll be the
maid and do the work, and you'll have
to back me up and keep hlm out OF
you answer the bell and I'll run up
and change my clothes.
Mrs Brenning and her guest sat
down TO a very delectable dinner that
evening Even Aunt Bertha had never
suspected such cooking ability to be
latent in her niece. The soup, roast,
salad and dessert were irreproachable
and served adroitly by the little MAID
who had cooked them.
The young man had glanced at the
girl when he sat down, but she gave
no sign of recognition. The rosy little
face with hair brushed back tight un-
der cap, might have been carved
from wood, so impressive was it,
Dorothy, christened Dolly by her
aunt pro tenn, remembered what BOD
had said about the boarding house
For breakfast there were fruit, cereal,
creamed sweetbreads on toast, hot
rolls and golden brown coffee with
real cream: Dolly got up at to pre-
that was his name-ate until she
thought he would burst. She found
a 81 bill under his plate when he had
gone.
Judging from the things Mr.. Davis did
not leave. Dinner. ditto. The meals
on Saturday were beyond compare.
Certainly Mrs. Brenning had no need
to complain of her cook
TT seems to me-" said Mr.. Davis |
complacently while smoking an after |
dinner cirgar, that Bob and his sister |
would never WANT " stay away AAOIll
home for a minute You have such |
an excellent chef, Mrs. Brenning.
Dolly, who was removing the dessert I
things paled. So Bob had told him /
he had a sister! Could ne suspect
anything?
An hour later Dolly was putting the |
last polishing touches to her kitchen.
Mrs Brenning, who had a sick family |
on her hands, had hurried away after /
dinner Bob had not appeared.
Dolly was covering the breakfast
rolls with a clean cloth when some
one tapped cautiously on the window