The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-15
CHAPTER If

CHAPTER H.
The crisis came the next day.
At eleven o'clock In the morning
found Della putting on her coat and
hat actually preparing 10 70. She
was splitting mad. and ! stood
there. Just helpless before her.
Il have telephoned 30 all the In.
telligence offices" said and
can't get anyone to come until Sat
urday night ! thought. 10 accom-
modate ~. you might be- willing
She cut mo right OF
Well. I'm not No one accom-
mod itcs me here. and I'm not used
TO being treated lac this"
Il didn't seem TO me as II she
had half az much To stand as did.
/ wished J could up and clear out.
too. Hut ! didn't have any words
with her. told her shc might 70
as soon az she pleased.
was on my way upstairs TO
T break the news to Nellie. when
Elise called 20 me from the sitting
I room
"oh. Lncy.- she said. in her must
I cal voice, will there be time for
me 20 run over 10 the postoffice
Z with some letters before lunch7"
I stalked into the sitting room.
We don't have lunch at noon ]
/ said bluntly We have dinner.
just plain dinner. You sec. we're
common people And SOS Tom.
Tom comes from Just a common.
common. common family" said.
( loving TO repeat the word
When I stopped TO see what ef-
feet my words had had she Just
laughed. Why. Chenery lis the
most uncommon man ever met"
And she blushed like eighteen.
went on:
We don't call him Chenery.
either" ! said Hes plain Tom
I to Ne I'm sorry for the shock you
must have got coming here. but
I YOU might as well wake up 10 the
I truth You see what mess the
house Is in. and" said. pointing
/ out OF the window. there goes
Della now. And there isn't a sign
OF cook left in the house"
Elise sat up straight
Is she leaving without notice.
she exclaimed.
Naturally" laughed.
Haven't you some one to help
You out? What will you do7" Elise
was really excited
Do" replied grimly. oh. III
dig In and cook myself. | suppose. q"
/ Elise put down her pen.
Il can make delicious desserts. g"
she said Can't you telephone to
the family not to come home this
noon? We can be ready for them
tonight know how TO make the
best cake YOU ever tasted in your
. life
That's the way II came about
| took her out into the kitchen and
didn't try TO cover up a thing. She
could see everything exactly as Il
was-smoked kitchen ceiling. un.
even kitchen floor. painless pantry
shelves She could go to the hot.
tom OF the flour barrel II she
wanted to. and did
II happened that Father and
Alex had gone TO Boston for the
day on business. and the last min.
ute Tom had Joined them. SO the
men wouldn't be home until night
anyhow. called m the twins.
Just before their fifth.hour period
Il had cut school MYSELF and told
them TO get bite TO eat at the
high school lunch-counter.
We had supper at half-past six
AS usual II was very queer about
that meal The awful strain We
had all felt the same day at break.
fast had suddenly disappeared.
Elise had suggested that we
shouldn't tell any one OF Della s
departure. and on tho outside
everything was Just as it was in
the morning
These biscuits are good. Lucy"
Father said suddenly. as he reached
for the plate. Father usually
speaks of the food. but he hadn't
done SO once since Elise had
come.
There's more In the kitchen.
announced Nellie blandly.
There's n whole painful" added
Elise. TN awfully glad YOU like
them" she exclaimed. and then
stopped short.
There" said, Il knew you'd
let the cat out. Elise made them
| announced.
"Delia's left" Elise hurried e
say.
And We" | put In.
I'VE got support" she finished
proudly.
You and Bobbie?' exclaimed
Aloe.
! "Bobbio and you?" gasped Tom