Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-19

Athe right of his own my spirits rose.
The table was really very attractive.
had inspected II earlier and knew that
Katie had correctly laid it. and the spring
blossoms in the center seemed to fill the
room with fragrance and beauty.
| knew that the dishes I had planned
were success, and that Katie doft and
effoient, would wait on the table properly.
As bent to slip the hassock before my
mother-in-law's chair felt almost content.
And then ! saw her stoop to the chair
ana hold something up, something shape
less and crumpled
Whatever in the world is this7" she
asked contemptuously, holding the object
out at arms length.
knew what It was even before she held
1t out to me and my heart sank.
1t was Katie's kitchen apron,
After her early Snorning work was done
1t was Katie's custom to put on over her
working dress an immaculate white apron.
This she covered with darker one when
doing the rest Of her work II she were
called TO the door or into the other rooms
she removed the kitchen apron.
But II was her habit. of which | had
tried In vain to break her to deposit the
Kitchen apron In all sorts Of places. | had
rescued 1t from the telephone stand, from
the living-room mantel and from any num-
Dor Of chairs. And now It appeared like a
| specter at my luncheon table!
I tried to put the best face possible or
| the matter as / took the apron from my
| mother-in-laws hand,
"T am SO sorry" I said apologeticaIly
| ut Is Katie's kitchen apron. when you
| sent for her this morning she was slightly
| fuStprpI bN the Of N.ui m q
stranger and hurried out OF the kitchen,
| remember now, without removing heI
| apron, | suppose she dropped It in tn
| first chair she passed
1t was IA tactless speech | realized 4
as | saw Mrs Graham stffen
81 am very sorry" she said cly, "tha
| should have been the cause of SO upset
ting your maid"
"Oh, | didn't mean il that way" | erie,
awkwardy. Katie has done this before
have tried to break her Of the habit. bu
have never succeeded"
Evidently not" The two words Nigh
have been volumes.
DICKY TO THE RESCUE
tapped the bell for Katie and she cam
| so quickly with the tray bearing the tomat
| bisque that | knew she must have beeI
listening. Her face was flushed, and as sh
caught my eye she gave me an angr,
glance / realized that she had heard m
| words about trying to break her of som
habit without understanding what | meant
AT least had thu power to reduce Kati
to reason, however When she had serve
the bisque and was moving toward tn
door I said quietly;
| Katie, take this with you. please"
She took one look at the apron which
held out to her, then snatched it and fle
| from the room
Guess that'll hold Katie for awhile,
| Dicky Chuckled
| There are the possibilities for tho d,
velopment of very good maid gut of tina
girl If she be only properly traihed," con
mented his mother.
| bit my lips at the insult for / coul
consider it nothing less which my hu,
bands mother had flung me at my ow
table.
Gee I'm hungry" Dicky flung hlmse
manfully into the breach. This tomat
thing um-bob is just all right, Madge Ma
/ have another helping?"
surely" ! said. but there's a steak q
the way Won't you spoil your appet
for it?'
"Of course. Didn't know you had
steak. That's a bully idea of yours. Madg
having dinner at this time today instead
tonight"
81 am glad you like it," said quietly
Actually | was afraid to give my re
reason for the early dinner | had thoug
| that Dlcky's mother might he hungry fro
her long ride. but did not dare say so f
fear it might offend her in some mysterio
way. out of the corner of my eye | Cou
see that she was eating the bisque with eN
| dent relish.
'Wlll you not have more of the bisque
] asked as she finished.
"Oh. no, thank you" she returned st
with the icy dignity which had been he
since ! made the unfortunate remark abO
, katies nervousness over serving her
/ touched the bell again and Katie a
i peared, removed all the dishes and disa
peared again, Her eyes looked as if s
, had been crying. knew that the incide
, OF the apron must have deeply humiliat
, her, but | didn't feel very sorry for her.
had been Inundated too, by her careles
; | ness.
, When she caife in again hearing t
, | steak and placed it before DCkYs pla'
! where the carving knife and fork were
. ready placed, my husband gave Il
whistle.
This is about the niftiest steak | ev
: saw" he said. 'Madge. you sure have
| bully butcher He began to carve