The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-12-06


sigh Of satisfaction at the result, ran
away to dress.
I'm not go near the kitchen to even
smell OF the dinner don't know
anything about cooking It, and viii
trust to luck. l have an idea that
Mac is real capable-is going to prove
a treasure. His dress was so neat,
and he was so quiet and respectful"
concluded Emma, leisurely arranging
her hair.
Her new dress was very becoming.
and fitted the petite, round figure so
perfectly that Emma felt at peacs
with all the world.
Il have heard that Mr. Arthur May
well is very fastidious in the matter
of ladies' Dress" unused Emma. twist.
ing her head over her shoulder to see
the effect Il wonder what his first
impressions of me will be. I should
Ike to have poor A1ly's brother like
me-"
At length the last bracelet was
clasped, the last touch given, and re-
firing backward from the mirror. with
a radiant face. Emma turned and ran
up to the nursery. to order the chill
dren dressed for company.
There was delightful savory odor
pervading the house when she came
down and set out the wine and Ice,
and made few amendments Of the
table. Before Alice died she had paint
ed an exquisite ebony ring for her
brother, and this Emma placed with
the napkin designed for Mr.. Arthur
Maxwell, thinking how artistic and
pretty everything was, and deciding
that the gentleman's first impression
must be pleasant.
She looked at her watch-fve min
utes past 3. Then she went softly TO
the end of the hall, and listened to
the lively chatter In the kitchen. She
could hear Mac chatting pleasantly
with the little housemaid, Nanny, and
all seemed to be well In that direc-
ton.
At $40 she repaired to the drawing
room and took seat overlooking the
street. Carriages came and carriages
went, but none stopped at the en-
trance. The little girls came down;
the boys and Mr.. Vincent came down.
Mr.. Maye's latchkey settled in the
door, the dinner bell rang.
mot conner" asked Mr.. Maye, at
sight OF Emma's disappointed face.
NO." she pouted; ''and such nice
dinner!"
Very strange!" he unused, leading
the way into the dining room. 81
hadn't the least Why, my dear
fellow" selling by the shoulder the
new cook, who, acting also as butler,
had just placed the soup-tureen upon
the table-"my dear, dear fellow, why,
how is this? Emma declared you had
not comet"
That young lady grew as white as
the tablecloth, and grasped chair for
support
THAT Mr.. MAXWELL II thought
1t was the cook!"
81 came earlier than expected, and
In time to make myself useful to Miss
Emma" laughed Mr.. Maxwell divest-
ing himself Of his white towel and
bowling with exquisite grace to that
young lady.
The cultivated accents. the ambro-
sial locks Of the bent head. the clear.
eloquent, beautiful eyes-oh, why
hadn't she known? How could sh
have fallen into such an error?
81 was so terribly anxious didn't
look at you twice. Mr.. Maxwell,
hope you will forgive met" stammer-
ed Emma, as red now as she had been
pale.
There is nothing to forgive, If my
dinner turns out WELL" he replied,
laughing. 81 learned to cook when
was a student In Paris-a French
man taught me. l have been rather
proud of my culinary skill. but l am
a little out of practice now, and am
not quite sure Of the Florentine."
"Emma!" cried Mr.. Maye. what
does all this meant"
why, John. you promised to send
me up man cook"
Mr.. Maye clasped his hands tragic
ally.
Emma, forgot IT."
well. Mr.. Maxwell came, just at
10 o'clock. thought he was the cook;
/ ushered him into the kitchen among
the pots and pans. ! questioned him
as to what he knew about cooking. I
urged him to make all haste and serve
the dinner; and-and l called him an
Irishman" sobbed Emma, hysterieal.
ly.
'No offense, Miss Emma. Ny grand
father on nv mothers side-Maior
Trelawny-was an Irishman," OBJ
served Mr.. Maxwell, coolly. "And
since have done my best, won't you
try the soup before It is cold?"
The others stared, and Emma
cried; but Mr.. Maye laughed-laughed
uproariously.
"The best joke Of the seasonl Sit
right down, everybody! Emma, you
foolish girl, don't cry. Arthur doesn't
care. And as for your Florentine-
Arthur, tell Nanny to bring It on. The
proof of the pudding is in the eating,