The Raymer enterprise., 1923-09-27
bIDDY SHAWN
BY JANE GORDON

SiS. SnhSion ouo diNuyh HAVING
trouble with her cooks. due, Dean
thought. to her aggressiveness.
Tonight, after trying day, he dread
ed her oft-repeated tale Of discourage
ments. A letter lay on the table from
Bob. He read II beneath the evening
light and smiled. II was 80 like the
impulsiye loyable friend Of past col
Iege days. "Now. when" Dean asked
himself. did l unburden to Bob re-
yardlng our help problem?"
Bob had written briefly:
Am sending Biddy Shawn on to
you. She has been with the Ellises.
Biddy Is a dandy little cook have her
make some Of her whipped-cream cake.
I'll be along to spend the next week
end with you"
4 suppose" Dean remarked. break
Ing the news later to his housekeeper,
that Bob bribed Biddy to leave the
Ellises and come on to us IN our need"
"Biddy Shawn said Mrs. Cameron
:ontemptlously-"Irish."
Dean, returning from his business
trip some days later was met By a
smiling housekeeper. Now, don't be
making a noise" she admonlslied, "for
BIddy had headache and coaxed
her to rest u bit"
Dean stared. "You mean the new
cook!" he inquired. "You like her
Them
Like herr" Mrs. Cameron's tone was
Indignant. "Will you tell me now, why
| should not like the sweet young
thIngT
Il AIN glad" he said lamely, "that
she Is satisfactory In her work"
The housekeeper was rctIcent.
Young folks can't be expected to know
how to do everything" she said. Bid
,ly does dus, furniture beautiful. And
her cream cake-why, we've had cream
cake every day"
Dean turned perplexedly into the lly-
ing room. He glanced toward tie open
piano. his music scattered over Its
ease.
who" he asked curlously. "has been
playingf"
The housekeeper. on her way to the
kitchen, looked back rebelliously.
'Blddy's been playing she said,
that's who
After dinner Dean went into the
Kitchen. He had heard during his
neal a merry stream Of chatter from
that direction. When he reached the
kitchen Mrs. Cameron was not there,
but the new maid sat. her back to-
ward him, In cOnpanionable rock
ing chair. Her dark hair against the
wicker was softly wavy and when size
turned Dean was aware at last. OF the
Irish eyes he had SO often read about
deep blue eyes, rubbed In with the
proyerbial smutty finger. The maid
wore neat blue dress with white
broad collar; her cheeks were pink.
At his approach she jumped up to make
him an old-fashioned courtesy; II was
graceful courtesy. but Dean flushed
uncomfortably al the homage.
II hear" he said, embarrassed, "that
you and Mrs. Cameron are getting
along nicely together"
"Yes sir. thank you. SIR" demurely
answered Biddy.
She waited table thereafter most
wInsomely. Dean also was treated to
her delicious creation OF cream cake.
When he returned from the office one
evening be was pleased, rather than
disappearing. to find the maid at the
piano. She was playing, with touch
ing lilt, some Irish song which she
explained her father had taught her.
As time passed Dean grew to long
for evenings at home. Biddy's grace
full presence there was strangely com
forting.
Bob's mother had married nga.n
when he was but lad at school.
There was no one left now but little
half sister who had spent much Of her
life at various schools. Bob kept Il
sort Of guardianship over CIarice, the
sister, while her father was obliged to
be great part Of the time abroad.
Bob breezed Into his friends home
one evening. Couldn't make II soon
er," he explained. "Hope you have nof
been troubled with Bidiy. You see
thought Mrs. Cameron would not mind
making her comfortable until after this
trip Of mine was over. Promised to
show the little girl the big city
Dean sat up straight. "What are
you talking abouf7" he said.
Bob began all over again, pa
tiently.
"About my little sister. ciarice--of
course call her 'Biddy' just for fun.
Shawn is such an Irish name, Biddy
lust fits It. Shed been entertained by
the Ellises and ! promised her that be-
fore she goes back to her fathers
apartnient In California, I'd take her
around New York. So l sent her here
n I could come. What the deuce
is the matter with you, Deanf
sWhat must you think Of mef' was
the troubled question that Dean later
asked the smiling .Biddy Shawn"
II don't think ] will tell you" she
merriIy answered. "You are q rather
conceited person a. II L."