Rock Island Argus., 1918-02-26
The Daily
Short Story
sH0ME WAYS,
BY Charlotte Winffred Wh,t.,..

BY Charlotte Winffred whittias !
Az the boys and girls Of H. =,
family grew up and went avav 49,. u.
home, no lapse Of time disasse.;s..ss... -.
from their memory the old d-tims 49,
and scents. From preference ~ ~
ried away with them q cherishsz ~
Of bergamot or sweet lavender ~
never ate an apple but they rass;i.!
the soft. enucing smell that parv.S.S
bureau drawers. where moehsr ~
away the choicest pippina AZ "a -.
food flavors, savoey, pars,ev ~.
mint, thyme, dill. nastuFtiur. hassS..
fowl, pickle OF salad never sousIe6 -
tingle or tang Of home-dsvsloped -
culents.
Lilly, swest, sunshiue-hesrtaa IN.
Bell. was the last left In the deeE -.
nest. There were broad acree. ure,s.ss
in the village and solid boad isy."vs
ments, but John Bell cluns 70 - ~
customed but generous way a nv;ss
and every corner Of the old houer1s.S
was Q cherished sanctuary. m -.
Lily was going to the eaty to - y.
married brother.
And remember, Niy,s her -
said to her, don't forget % = ~ ~.
Bridget Cross. Never ne9lect ~,
humble friend"
"Oh. mother! I shall b dsiiehtud !.
see her. You know she wrote us aAsst
the herbs and all that"
The herbs are all ready nov. a.,
said Mrs. Bell.
Some years back Bridgst Cross ~.
peared in the little town, q sietIy. Al.
ing woman, looking for work. sGe ii
been cook. housekeeper and mail 4
the city, but failing health had cosaea
her to lose her position. Kind-heayted
Mrs. Bell had taken pity on her n
gave her q position with light kitchen
work.
Soon kindness. the pure country a,r
and good food began to have their q.
feet upon Bridget. Al she grew M
into her old strong self, she deysloped
an ability and diligence that felN
made up for her first weak efforta A
cook she exercised q skill that fairly
surprised her mistress. Bridget Won
the hearts Of al with the rare excel
lence Of the meals. The collection q
home-rafsed herbs always at hand a.
chanted her. Her gravies, dressiuss
and salads We'd In delicacy and aayor
with the masterpieces Of famous c,ty
chefs. Bridget initiated Lily into all
these mysteries of cooking, but NJ
fered a Lucrative position With eity
family Of wealth, left the Bella
Lily wrote to her at odd times. BID
get responded. and In every letter de-
plored her inability to get the ftseh,
rare, flavoring herbs Of the country.
Lily, after her arrival at her broth.
er's home, was too fully engroesed b
the wonderland Of first city experisncs
to think of anything else. The ssound
morning. however, she started out b
visit Bridget. She was somewhat swsi
to reach a sumptuous mansion.
Bridget was queen supreme q III
kitchen quarters Of the Mervin home
She had her own neat, roomy apart
ment and she welcomed Lily % thsugl
she were . long-absent daughter.
IT you can make room for mo I On
to stay all day and until tomorrow
morning." Lily announced -Oh! 4
seems to good to see your ehseey
smiling face, and how well You af'
looking!"
my little lamb" said Bridget, .
have counted the hours ever since IN
wrote me you were coming"
| What chat they had all that Day,
1t seemed as II Mrs. Cross would ~
be content until Lily had told be-
Ieverything that had happened 1t tA'
old homestead since she had left, eye'
to the last brood of chickens. In turn
Lily was intensely interested to knss
about the Mervin family.
They are very kind to me-" Bridge
averred, "if they are real high-up aris
tocrats. There's old Mr.. Mervin and ~
wife, and Gerald, the son, who co0e
land Jokes with me and treats me - !
I were some old friend" and Bfidss
built up in the mind Of Lily . W
high opinion Of this estimable ycuAl
man.
1t seemed that old Mr.. Mervin -
invited some eminent guests to dinae
that day and Bridget was anxious =
excel herself In her cookery. Lily =
sisted on proving that she had mot -
gotten her culinary tutelage Of y
past-indeed. she was allowed to coe.
the roasts and prepare the salads =
gravies, and the navoring herbs 81
had brought played q prominent ~
In the same.
! Lily, arrayed In q great envelogal
apron-dress Bridget had loaned -
was putting some tins in their Pee
the next morning, when q hearty =
musical voice startled her.
| MRS. Cross. you have made fefnel
supremely happy. The guests last ~
ening, and some Of them are ncul
bon vivants, sat discussing your =
lightful dishes for half an hour
don me! took you for Mrs. Crc
and Bridget rushed In to explain =
Lily blushed at the encomioums l.
faithful old friend passed on he.s
and her father and mother. hfle.
was voluble and Gerald Mervm
ceived the WHOLE history Of Lilys -
my machine shall be at your
vice." said Gerald. II will be paee.
to drive you to your brothers hom
Gerald, you must be mad 70 -
of engaging yourself to . poor ~.
TRY girl!" spoke old Mn. Aefss
month later.
Mother mine" returned 0e1sl.
"the Bells could buy ~ out tvice ~, A. !.
Besides that. low xilE sno -
ended IT,