New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

over the position of cook in his househoa
He longed for Mrs Mason. Of in the COM
try with longing not felt since those far.
distant pre-nuptial days. week without
cook, eating the post-impression;s4
dishes of supercilious upstairs na.a
(greatly put out by having to do thenl. nn+
Mr.. Mason in very loverlike mood toward
his Peggy.
This last Of seven applicants had come
and gone unconquered She didn't like Tho
room that the Mason cooks had thrived IN
for two generations; the chambermajd WAC
Catholic and she Unitarian; she must have
every afternoon from to 6 to herself and
every Sunday. Where could She entertain
her company? On, dear She rad never
lived in place where she had to recejv.
her callers in the kitchen No. indeed.
salary-only $50 month? No, thank you.
the place didn't suit
my mother mused Mr.. Mason used
to pay her cook s12 month, with Sunday
teen years. She good cook, too Her
pumpkin pies-uml" It was cry wrunr
from that organ that is best arrived at
through the masculine stomach u wonder
what these modern cooks really want. Oh.
Lerd. Here comes another"
Up the path from the street came
tall, blond young woman with stately
tread. M Mason in ordinary times, with
Peggy at home, would have thought a fash
ionablc friend from town was coming 10
call, but experience had taught him better.
This neatly tailored, we'll shod, white fox
furred young woman had come from the
agency to look into the opening as cook
Il don't generally like to live in the
suburbs" she vouchsafed "aut Mrs Reilly
at the agency told me that this was a
good place, so T thought I'd come out and
see how liked it, anyway"
That's very kind Of you. I'm sure"
murmured Mr. Mason.
What salary do you give?" she came to
the point with practised ease
He paused moment in thought before
replying, then put down mis- pipe, and rising
with knightly gesture he asked the lady
to be seated
"Oh no, not that chair" he protested,
that's very uncomf ortable one Take
this and he gave her his armchair by the
window "Now we can talk business more
satisfactorily. What were you saying
, salary"
Yes" she answered, sitting back in her
chair with perfect savor faire
"Wcll, let's see-would $50 month suit
you?"
Eyes, that's O. H." replied TIE young
woman, beginning to look pleased as
the work hard?"
"Oh, dear, no. assured Mr.. Mason "You
see, my wife and like only coffee ana
rolls for breakfast; I'm never home for
lunch, and Mrs. Mason is in very seldom,
and as for dinner-why. We dine ont nearly
every night. So our dinners will not bother
you much. Of course, we consider our
cook is the hub Of the household so to
speak and if she doesn't happen TO get on
with the other maids we always allow her
to replace them with friends Of her own.
Harmony is essential, don't you think?'
That's right" she agreed, smiling rather
vaguely. She had lost her slightly bored
air and appeared to be pleased
you have your own room and bath, Q.
course" went on Mr.. Mason, "and there Is
little den back of the dining room that
you can have sitting room You can
not receive your callers in the kitchen"
You've said it." she agreed.
Then in the garage there Is little
Ford car we never use and which viii be
at your disposal if you care to have it.
"Oh, N.Y. she giggled, wreathed in
smiles Il don't know how to make it go
Its easy. | can show you some after
noon," Nr. Mason answered. with wave
a. the hand.
you're awfully kind" she condescended.
She looked very pretty sitting there SO
happy and pleased, and if Mr. Mason had
not been hardened by his seven experiences
he would have hesitated 10 deal the blow
in store for her
"Then you wouldn't mind living in
suburb" he asked
Il guess not. The place sounds all right
TO me-" she answered "You may expect
me Monday morning.
Excellent" agreed Mr. Mason ~,don-
day morning. viii have the car meet
you at the lo:30 train Is that con-
venient?"
"Yes. Good morning. Mr. Mason" and
she turned to go, her un-O'Sullivaned