Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-02-11
'Sr!!Gl
BY PAYNE MORRIS.

Monday until he was upon his own
pavement. When the fact crashed up
on him with stunning force. he began
nervously to unbutton his coat. By
the time he was In the living room
both coat and waistcoat were on and
he was hurriedly turning back his
cuffs. He knew there would be q
checked apron behind the kitchen door
and a note concerning dinner on nail
above the sink. 1t was club day, and
he knew that that meant that when
Mrs. Peck returned at $50 she would
expect dinner to be ready to serve.
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 ION ice). cucumber
Put down the lace mats and yellow |
candles and an extra place. I'm hav.
ing company"
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. Il am Mrs.
Harmon from next door. / came in to
see If Mrs. Peck could lend me q
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 cute! 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 hear
her laugh some more. Besides" he
added proudly, I'm not only getting
my own dinner, but that of my wife
and-and company"
Mr. Peck procured the lemon and
was holding the door open for her
when a happy thought struck him.
do you know how to make chicken
la king?" he asked.
Heavens! Do you have to make
that?"
YES. and-wait. I'll read you the
note"
sVo,, pcor vpau,p ruhop bo had fin
ished. You never can do that in the
world. It's almost six now"
Mr.. Peck looked at his watch anx
iously. $50 it is! Why. I'd no idea
it was SO late"
Don't you want me to stay and
help? I'd love to, if-if you don't tell"
Mr.. Peck promised with suspicious
promptness.
So Mr.. Peck and his pretty neighbor
dissected chicken, made cream dress.
ing, grated cheese, made batter and
altogether were so busy for the next
half hour that neither had time to
talk.
Mr.. Peck set the table while the
fritters were frying. He knew where
to find things-lace mats and all.
We'll. Mr.. Peck. l guess it's time
was going. The whole dinners ready
to serve" She laughed amiably.
Mr.. Peck turned the knob of the
kitchen door when he had thanked
his neighbor for her heaven-sent help
The door stuck. He turned the knot
the other way. Still it stuck. He rat
tied the knob and kicked the door. Nc
use! He looked anxiously at his watch
Six-thirty! Its time for Tillie. Mrs
Harmon, and the door doesn't seem tC
open. Will you try the front way?"
I'll have to, guess. Wouldn't it b.
dreadful If I'd meet Mrs. Peck!"
You're just right, IL would
snapped a woman's voice from thu
shadow of the front hall. "You dim
hear me come in, Ell. John? Well. herr
/ am! And the gentleman I've brough
with me will be just as interested as
am, l guess" Mrs. Peck reached TO
the switch in the living room ant
turned on the light.
Harry" gasped Mrs. Harmon. "Yo'
didn't tell me you were coming her
tonight. / didn't expect to seeyou."
mo, / guess you didn't" ssid Mrs
Peck. This is a pretty how do yO
dol"
Mrs. Harmon looked nervously from
one to the other. Then she made tn
speech of her life.
Don't you dare to speak to me ur
til I'm through, Mrs. Peck. nor 20
either, Harry Harmon. You are bot
SO busy with clubs and lectures 20
forget you have homes-both Of YOU
came in here to borrow lemon TO
my solitary supper. ought to be az
customed to them, but I'm not. Thi
poor man here was panic-stricken TO
; fear he couldn't cook the meal he
been ordered to get. So / offered I
help and l. did. What's more. you'v
no more business being out with N
husband than have trying to kill m!
self for yours. So there!" She rushe
for the door sobbing.
Harry caught her in his arms. sa!
ing remorsefully: Wait a minute
Toots, See here! have been
!. selfish old cad, but promise to reforl
this minute. You're a little peacl
that's what you are. There-that
better, dry your eyes. dearie."
Mrs. Peck surveyed her husban
-..A oorxr;%top "Iohn Peck take o