The herald., 1919-09-11
EXTRAVAGANT
BY ANNA L. FINN.

Bob is always talking about the
delicious pies and cakes his mOther
makes" Jean Winston cOntided to her
mother, at the same time giving an
admiring glance at the beautiful Soli-
taire which adorned her third hnger.
"You see" she continued, "he wants
me to know that | 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, JeanE
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 a perfectly splendid idea'
mumsie," Jean exclaimed. Bob is
coming to dinner tonight and I'll MAKE
the most elaborate cake imaginable.
1t will surely rival anything which
Mrs Rogers ever made"
So DOMINIC the largest apron avail
able, Jean set about her task. True
to her desire, the cake was indeed an
elaborate affair, for every known in
gredient necessary to the making OF
perfect cake was used by Jean.
There" she exclaimed, as she admir-
ingly put the finishing touches to the
dainty pink and white frosting, III
that doesn't beat Bob'S 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 we'll 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. Downing her IA
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 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 l do?" bemoaned
Jean. 81 can never tell Bob l have
lost It; he would think 1t so careless
Of me. I'm sure / had 1t this morn
Ing" she continued. But In my fool
ish pride and excitement over that
horrid cake lost it, just hate the
old cake now!"
All, Of course, were In sympathy
with her; but when one has lost her
treasured engagement ring 1t 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 II from my finger" she
soliloquized. The thought caused her
some concern, but she quietly dis
missed it, hoping against hope that
such thing would not come to pass.
The dinner progressed very favor
ably, and finally the cake was brought
forth. Bob was greatly impressed
with its tempting appearance, and
Jean promptly explained that she had
made 1t especially for him and ex-
pressed the hope that he would like It.
He was, of course, anxious to sample
Jeans cooking and 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
were Immediately on Bob.
"Oh, no, not at ALL" he assured her
"Only l struck something rather hard, VI
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
titled and embarrassed. But Jean al
once cleared up the situation. "Oh
my precious ring," she rapturously
exclaimed. why, how did it ever get
into that cakew Instantly she re-
membered removing it from her finger
before commencing to bake the
cake, and concluded that in some mys
FERROUS way it must have dropped into
the mixture.
Great mirth followed and Jean Joined
the merriment, as she realized her ter
rible 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 subsidized
swell, l should say not" he replied
at was perfect jewel of cake, but,
he continued, I'm afraid you will have
to find a more economical recipe be
fore we are married. because my sal
airy would never warrant diamond
favored cakes"
terhf hNE tIa No(N 1trrA