The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-29
AN INVITATION


When Lieschen had been with the
Duvarts for one calendar month the
family in full conclave pronounced her
an acquisition They never ventured
upon a favorable opinion of cook
within any less period of time, expert
ence having taught them that it was
unsafe.
Yet there were some odd things
about Lieschen that the Duvarts had
remarked. She was rather slow about
following nstructions-that is, printed
instructions. If Mrs. Dwarf wanted
q new dish prepared and referred her
to the cookbook for it's composition
Lieschen invariably looked uncomfort-
able, and shortly afterward was to be
seen leaning over the back fence in
earnest conversation with the German
housemaid next door. Then she would
come back, apparently concealing
something beneath her apron. If the
German housemaid next door was not
attainable, it was pretty nearly a sure
thing that Lieschen would have some
absurd excuse for not having prepared
that dish Also, If she happened to
get letter. she would be missing for
the next half hour-and she got letters
rather often.
One morning Mrs. Dwarf heard her
ask the postman, is dis for me?" and
the postman answered, Sure as he
handed her a letter. She hurried
through to the kitchen, and thither
after few moments, Mrs. Dwarf fol-
lowed, just in time to see Lieschen
vanishing through the back gate into
the alley. She was gone for nearly
fifteen minutes, and when she re-
turned Mrs. Dwarf confronted her.
Where have you been, Lieschen?"
she demanded sternly.
II had to see Katrine by next door
for something vas could not vait," she
replied. de dishes was washed al
ready, und-und l did not t'ink you
would mind
WELL" said Mrs. Dwarf, 81 don't
mind exactly, only l think, Lieschen,
that when you 60 away you should tell
me-"
All right" said Lieschen. 81 will
always. Und-und-may I hat tomor-
row efening insteadt ohf Thursday efe.
ning-please?'
Mrs. Dwarf said she might and went
away rather puzzled.
The evening following Mrs. Dwarf
went into the kitchen and found Lie.
schen there attired in royal splendor
and the hat, but looking nervous and
miserable.
Il thought you were going out?" she
said.
Il do not know I do not t'ink-"
began Lieschen, and then, to Mrs. Du-
warts CONSERVATION, burst into food
of tears.
Just at that moment the doorbell
rang and Mrs. Dwarf hurried away
and opened the door to young Pom
eroy, an occasionally favored sutton of
her daughter, Elizabeth. The young
man was attired in what he facetious-
ly termed his glad rags" and there
was a carriage at the curb.
rs Miss Elizabeth ready?" he in.
quired, as soon as he was we'll inside.
Ready for WHAT" asked Mrs. Du-
vart. shes in the library with that
book you sent her. but she doesn't
seem to be expecting to go out If that's
what you mean"
Here Miss Elizabeth came I'D and
greeted Pomeroy with an air of sur.
prise.
well, like this!" said the young
man. Here write to you and tell
you I've got seats for Sembrich and
beg you to honor me with your com.
pany and not to trouble to R. S. v. P,
unless you can't, and-oh, we'll, its
rough, but suppose it's what have
to expect"
Il didn't get any letter." said Miss
Elizabeth. When did you writer"
Might before last. You ought to
have got 1t in yesterday mornings
mail"
This is mysterious" said Mrs. Du
vart. Wait. I'll go to the kitchen
and ask Lieschen about it. She took
In the morning mail"
As Mrs. Dwarf approached the
kitchen she heard Lieschen's voice in
alteration with manly tones, seem
ingly in depreciation. She paused 9
moment. Then she heard Liescher
say: Eyes. you did. You wrote me 8
letter und you say, I hat seats fol
Sembrich und will call NIT a car
riage.' You call me your sweetest
Elizabeth"
Il never did nothing of the sort
said the manly voice. Somebody
been putting up job on you"
Here Mrs. Dwarf entered. Lies
chen" she said, III you have that let
ter you spoke of will you please Civ,
1t to me, for believe it was INTENDED
for Miss Elizabeth"
Then the explanation came. Lies
chen, 1t seemed, could not read Eng
fish and had been in the habit of get
ting her friendly young countrywomai
next door to interpret her cooking rec
ipes and letters.
WELL" said Miss Elizabeth, whe,
Mrs. Dwarf returned to the parlor an,
explained, there's only one thing t,
do. It's too late for me to dress now
and wouldn't go anyway. Jack, you'v
got to take Lieschen."
"Lieschen's solid company might oh
1ect," said Mr.. Pomeroy. However
I'm game to give up the tickets an,
carriage If you'll let me stay here"