The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-07-08
WidOWer Judd'S
HOusekeeper
She Was a Surprise For Two
Designing Widows.
BY ANNIE HElLMAN.

Mrs. Plat sat on her front porch, |
busy in braiding Il mat. She was one |
of those women one likes to have |
about. There was certain comfort |
ing presence in her large figure and |
comely face. Although the face when |
at rest was somewhat sad. yet it was
one of those beamiIg faces that seem
full N love for the whole world-that
is, for all whom she admitted into her
world. For those outside of its bounds
she had no use. Just now her thoughts
were busy with her neighbor, in whose
direction she sent her glances.
Peters getting his supper early"
she unused. Its pretty lonely for him,
but ! hope he won't be inveigled into
taking Serena Lamb for housekeeper.
never was one to promote gossip, but
all Clifton knows that her reputation
for dressing far outdoes her skill in
housekeeping. If thought Just
then she turned her head and caught
sight Of Mrs. Lamb walking up the
path.
TOO bad to see that nice home going
to rack and ruin" Mrs. Lamb began
after settling herself in the rocker. 81
hear it's fairly swarming with mice.
Peter only uses two rooms. Isn't it
wonder he amt picked out house
keeper afore this"
deavoring TO speak unconcernedly,
that he'll probably ask YOU
"Mew interrupted Mrs, Lamb in an
astonished tone. "Mei And with such
n famous cook as you next door! Trust
n man 10 get cook when he's free to
pick and choose Sarah wasn't much
on the cooking, and l guess he'll want
change"
David and I spent twenty-five hap.
ny years In this house." sighed Mrs.
Plat. IT'D come hard for me to leave
It."
"And l couldn't possibly leave my
place. protested Mrs. Lamb. "And
the garden doing so nicely too You'd
oughter see my Strawberries, Emeline.
Peter says they are the finest he ever
saw. I'd bring you over n saucerful,
but as Peter was going on so about
your getting so stout | thought |
wouldn't encourage your appetite any.
Well" looking keenlwat her friend to
assure herself thnt the blow had struck
home, Il must be getting on"
Neither lady had deceived the other.
Each knew the other, from widely diff
fcrent motives. stood ready at Il mo-
mcnts notice to respond to Peter
Judd's call for housekeeper. Each
knew that Clifton was wondering
which OF the two widows who lived
on either side of Peter would he call
ed eventually to fill the departed So
rah's place. for the custom prevailed
in Clifton when man was, in the
wisdom of Providence, bereaved. t.
hunt out some widow respected by the
community to undertake the duties Of
housekeeper. and generally, after de
cent period of mourning, the twain be
came one.
IF Serena makes up her mind L
have Peter he'll have to give in phi
losophi2ed Mrs. Plat. "Shes alread!
married two that didn't in the leas
want her. She's comfortably Off. too
and don't need to leave her home.
wouldn't be so set against it If
didn't know twas her that interfere,
; between him and Floretta Younl
more'n twenty years ago Peter III
and married Sarah out of pure spite
and Florctta took that good for moth
J ing Cy Bukey. If ever two peopl
were cut out for one another, Pete
and Floretta were. Well. as he's hell
out against Serena for over year h
may escape for good. I'll not worr
any more
q But she did. The chance and appai
= emily careless remarks that Serena le
y fall, as If an understanding existed bC
y tween herself and Peter Judd. frette
= Emeline's spirit In the depths of he
= honest soul she believed that Pete
a. was regular caller at the Lamb HON,
n She waited for the announcement q
p Serena's engagement as for blow tina
was sure TO fail.
Still, when IL came she was not pr,
pared for It. One afternoon she Ia
\ Just taken her accustomed seat on I'll
4 porch when the gate opened. and Mr.
n Lamb swept up the path with an III
usual air of Importance.
& Land, amt II hot" she exclaime
I. "Such muss as I've got intow car
y fully arranging the folds of her ne
d orgondie skirt before sitting dow
IS Her tone rang with triumph. Mr.
y Plntt felt the change In the atmo
N phcrc and all her world darkcned.
M "There's all that house Of Peters
n be gone over this hot weather. Not
n mite OF cleaning since Sarah died. sue
Il looking place! And It must be all r
y up by the middle of September. ju
" ran IN to ask IL your paint and whit
II wash brushes were In good order. +
n ter said rs how you mentioned havil
n supply of 'em when you offered
n keep house for him months ago. NJ
n how red your face IL. Emcline! "
II hadn't ought to wear pink. Now, IL
* do say It, I've n complexion that
n stand any color"