The Press., 1919-12-11
EXTRAVAGANT
By ANNA L. FINN.

delicious pies and cakes his mother makes" Jean Winston cOnfided to her mother, at the same time giving an admiring glance at the beautiful soll- taire which adorned her third finger. "You see," she continued, "he wants me to know that I will have to be quite proficient in the culinary art to compete with her."
 Mrs. Winston smiled at her daugh- ter's simplicity. "Well, why don't you show him what you can do, Jean! she replied. "He doesn't know that you have been taking a course in do- nestle science and are already quite proficient. Why not surprise him?'
 ''That's perfectly splendid idea, mumSie," Jean exclaimed. Bob is coming to dinner tonight and I'll make the most elaborate cake imaginable. It will surely rival anything which Mrs. Rogers ever made"
 So donning the largest apron avail able, Jean set about her task. True to her desire, the cake was indeed an elaborate affair, for every known 1n- gredient necessary to the making ot perfect cake was used by Jean. ''There," she exclaimed, as she admir- ingly put the finishing touches to the dainty pink and white frosting, eff that doesn't beat Bobs mothers cakes than I'm greatly mistaken She was quite beside herself, for the cake was a grand success and one of which any girl might well be proud. She could picture Bob munching a piece of the tOOthsome dainty. "Won't he be sur prised and delighted" she thought. So the cake was put away for safe keep ing and Jean proceeded to busy her. self about the house.
 The day passed very quickly and glancing at the clock, she realized that she had just about an hour in which to dress for dinner. DOnning her fla vorite blue frock, she was about to proceed down stairs when suddenly she became aware of the fact that something was missing. "Oh, my ring ! Where could I have put it?" she eX- claimed. After a very careful search of her favorite hiding places she failed to find any trace of the lost treasure. Soon she had the whole household transformed into a searching party, but all without avail. The ring could not be found.
 "Oh what shall I do?" bemoaned Jean. "I can never tell Bob l have lost it; he would think it so careless of me. I'm sure I had it this morn ing" she continued. "But in my fool ish pride and excitement over that horrid cake I lost it. I just hate the old cake now!"
 All, of course, were in sympathy with her; but when one has lost her treasured engagement ring it is hard to be cOnSOled.
 In due course of time Bob arrived, and to all outward appearances Jean was immensely happy. What if he should miss it from my finger" she soliloquized. The thought caused her some concern, but she quietly dis missed it, hoping against hope that such a thing would not come to pass.
 The dinner progressed very favor ably, and finally the cake was brought forth. Bob was greatly impressed with it's tempting appearance, and Jean promptly explained that she had made it especially for him and ex- pressed the hope that he would like it.. He was, of course, anxious to sample Jeans cooking and a very generous portion was served him.
 Jean was quite elated, and was waiting anxiously for the words of praise which she knew she was sure to receive. Great was her surprise, however, as she glanced up at Bob to see a distressed look on his face. "Why, what's the trouble? Is there anything the matter with the cake?' Jean anxiously inquired. All eyes w = immediately on Bob.
 no, not at all," he assured her. "Ol..t l struck something rather hard, y and presently he drew forth a portion of the cake in which was imbedded nothing less than Jeans cherished ring. Poor Bob; he looked both myS- titied and embarrassed. But Jean at once cleared up the situation. "Oh, my precious ring!'' she rapturously exclaimed ''Why, how did it ever get into that cake?" Instantly she re- membered removing it from her finger before commencing to bake the cake, and concluded that in some mys- terious way it must have dropped into the mixture.
 Great mirth followed and Jean joined the merrment, as she realized her ter ribIe blunder, despite her efforts to dis play her talents in the all-impOrtant line.
 But it wasn't such a bad cake after all, was it, BOb?" she fOndly inquired, after the merriment had subsided. "WeIl, I should say not" he replied ; cit was perfect jewel of a cake, but, '' he continued "Im afraid you will have to find more economical recipe be- fore we are married. because my sal ary would never warrant diamond favored cakes"
 tCOpyrlght 19l9 by the Mcclure News