The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-26
The EDenirlg Story

tBy Payne Morris.)

pavement. When the fact crashed
upon him with stunning force, he be-
gar. nervously to unDutton his coat
By that time he was in the living
room. both coat and waistcoat were
off and he was hurriedly turning back
his cuffs He knew there would be a
checked apron behind the kitchen
door and a note concerning dinner on
nail above the sink. 1t was club
day and he knew that hat meant that
when Mrs. Peck returned at $50 she
would expect dinner to be ready to
serve.
There were times on Mondays
every other Wednesday. and alter
nate FRIDAYS that Mr.. Peck wished
himself dead, as well as a few times
in between when he dared remon-
strate with his wife about his martyr
dom or to suggest that they keep a
maid.
"A maid" sEorted Mrs. Peck. will
you tell me, John Peck. why 1 should
have 2 long-nosed female pokinS into
my bureau drawers. and opening all
the preserves in the cellar the minute
Peck made a mental note that maiG
would certainly have enough solitude
to do most anything she liked, but he
knew better than to give it voice.
Just because you are too lazy to set
4 couple of pans over the fire three
llIleS d week YOU are NllltAiS " sPSlAd
five dollars for a girl. WE'LL pre-
pare the other eighteen meals. At
any rate you owe me thirty dollars a
week. I'll collect now"
Mr.. Peck looked at her outstretched
hand. Now, Title, can't you take
joke? You know l don't mind it.
Tiff 1 did" nervously, you know 1
wouldn't do it"
wouldn't your" smiled Tillie. How
well she knew her husband.
Mr.. Peck found the apron and read
the note. Great days!" he exploded.
Chicken a la King, page 76 in the
cook book potatoes au gratin, page
104, banana fritters-you know how
the desserts made Con ice), cueum-
Der and tomato salad, French dress
ing. Put down the lace mats and
yellow candles and an extra place.
I'm having company
81 don't mind frying ham and
eggs!" protested Mr.. Peck. cor broil-
ing a steak and making French fried
potatoes, but" he referred to the
note-"chicken a la King, potatoes au
gratin"
A staccato knock sounded upon the
kitchen door. and Mr.. Peck opened it
A young woman stood there-a very
pretty young woman. Even in Mr.
Peck's perturbed state of mind, he had
enough gallantry to fling the door
quite wide and say pleasantly: Good
evening. Won't you come in?"
She nodded appreciatively and
stepped into the kitchen. I am Mrs
Harmon from next door. l came in
| to see if Mrs. Peck could lend me a
lemon"
IF you'll just sit down, I'll go look
in the pantry. Mrs. Peck is out and
I'm getting dinner"
oh, how cutei Imagine my Harry
getting his own dinner! l can just
see him in an apron.' She threw
| back her head and laughed merrily.
The laugh was very contagious and
Mr.. Peck smiled. He wanted to heal
her laugh some more. Besides he
added proudly. I'm not only getting
my own dinner but that of myswift
and-and company"
He was rewarded by another rip.
pie. ''Well-that's richl Imagine
Harry Why, he wouldn't know how
to melt ice. But there! I'm keeping
you. If you'll please get my lemor
for my tea, I'll go! That's all In
having, tea and toast. Harry tele
phoned he wouldn't be home, so IN
alone
Mr.. Peck procured the lemon ant
was holding the door open for hel
when a happy thought struck him
DO you know how to make chicken ;
la king?' he asked.
Heavens, Do you have to max,
that"
Yes. and-wait. I'll read you tn,
note
You poor mani" when he had fin
ished. You never can do that in tn,
world It's almost six now"
Mr.. Peck looked at his watch anX
iously. so it Isl Why, I'd no idea
was so late"
Mrs. Harmon detected a volume o
history in his tone. Afraid of hi
wife, poor man. Aloud, Don't 70,
want me, to stay and help? I'd low
to, Tiff you don't tell Mr.. Peel
promised with suspicious promptness
She has got him bluffed," sh
thought. We'll. here's where I'm go
ing to play Good Samaritan. Harr
would take my head off-but he'l
never know"
So Mr.. Peck and his pretty neigh
Dor dissected chicken, made cream
dressing. grated cheese, made bate
and altogether were so busy for tn
next half hour that neither had tim
to talk.
Mr.. Peck set the table while tn
fritters were frying. He knew wher
to find things-lace mats and all.
We'll, Mr.. Peck, l guess it's tim
1 was going. The whole. dinners read
to serve, keeping nice and hot in tn
oven. The salads all fixed and o.
ice, the candles are lighted and tn
flowers arranged. 1t must be time 70
your wife and company and L don
want to be found here. What som
} people don't know don't hurt them :
She laughed amiably.
Mr.. Peck laughed, too. What a jol
: ~, pretty little wife Harry Harmo
had, People said he neglected her
out forever on lecturing tours an
never home when he was in town.
Mr.. Peck turned the knob of tn
kitchen door when he had thanke
his neighbor for her heaven-sent hell
The door stuck. He turned the kno
the other way Still it stuck He rat
tied the knob and kicked the door, n
usei He looked anxiously at HI
watch. Six-thirtyi Its time for I'll
( lie, Mrs Harmon, and the door doesn
seem to open. VIII you try the fror
way?''
"I'll have to. 1 guess Wouldn't
be dreadful if Id meet Mrs. Peck,'
You're just right it would" snaI
NOR ar1fes