The broad ax., 1927-06-04
What Miss Kate
Could Do

BY JANE OSBORN

- Dred's house party turned out to
be dismally rainy. 1t was chill,
penetrating rain that made Leonora's
suggestion that they should don rain
coats and 60 for a tramp meet with
chilly reception.
Lets pretend that we haven't any
of us a cent-nor any influential
friends or anything and we've come
here to get jobs" said big Roger Til
den, the athlete "This is an employ
ment bureau and each one of US has
to write out his own qualifications.
Personally If / found myself stranded
In some strange place like Australia
without q cent and no friends I don't
know what / could do-unless maybe
/ could get job as furniture mover.
But even then I'd probably smash the
mirrors. Anyway, let's write out our
qualifications"
Don't let's write It out" suggested
one OF the girls. "Just let's say 1t.
Roger, you take us one at time and
ask us-just as If we were lately land
ed in Australia and you were the en-
ployment agent. Start with Leonora."
After a little urging Leonora re-
vealed the fact that she was an expert
dancer. She could even do exhibition
dancing, and she could swim like
fish and drive a car and she had IN
doubted qualifications as an interior
decorator. Maud Of course could make
a career for herself anywhere as
musician. Alice boosted of two uni
versity degrees and had specialized In
biology so she could get a Job in a
university or a laboratory. Bob felt
qualified to work as garage me-
chanic. Fred modestly said he would
be as well qualified to practice medi-
cine in Australia as anywhere else. Bill
Stebbins thought he would break into
the financial game and be a million
aire in no time Ruth with her IN
doubted taste In dress. and other &C
complishments could get started as a
dressmaker. Constance coyly revealed
the fact that she could succeed pro-
fessionally as a painter. Walter said
he wouldn't try to get a Job at all.
He'd vamp some rich Australian girl
and land soft. And Arnold assured
the others that he could write as sue
cessfully IN Australia as anywhere
else.
1t was Kate's turn and Kate looked
and felt confused. Il don't know that
/ can do anything" she said. "Of
course can cook a little and / can
mend-but / can't dance or drive a
car or sing or paint or do anything
like that"
Never mind, Kate" said Leonora
with little patronage. IF we did go
to Australia we wouldn't let you
starve."
Meantime the rain had turned from
a steady drizzle to a devastating
downpour. Leonora seemed uneasy
and started at the slightest sound.
Finally the telephone rang and after
five minutes conversation in the tele-
phone nook In the hall Leonora came
back with bewildered expression.
"Tll have to tell you the truth" she
said. "We'd had trouble in the kitch-
en- and when the girls heard we we're
having this party they walked out.
Left this morning. Mother telephoned
at once to Benton where we get our
maids and engaged two, and after
them. And now she has telephoned
to say she got there all right but that
she couldn't get the girls and can't
get back herself"
The rain had increased to such an
alarming extent that there would be
no hope Of the arrival of the outside
guests for the dance that night, still
there were twelve people In the house
and dinner had to be prepared and
Leonora was frantic. 1t was not I'M
til Kate donned a smock and went to
work that there was any real promise
Of any sort of dinner. Roger some
where found an apron which he tied
about his stalwart person and then,
shooting every one else out Of the
kitchen, said that dinner would be
ACduy at SCNCA anu IudL lie duQ hdI6
could work better alone.
Having nothing else to do the others
dressed for dinner-which turned out
to be most toothsome and well served.
Even Leonora, forgetting that there
are dishes to wash after every dinner,
donned the light-pink frock she had
made especially for the occasion. So
after dinner no one needed much
urging to consent to leave the work to
Kate and Roger
The last dish and pan had been
washed and Kate was scrubbing up
the sink while Roger was laborionsly
drying the last saucepan.
you've been a trump" said Roger.
It'll be their turn tomorrow, though"
But I've really enjoyed doing this
only It was rough on you, Roger.
I'd really rather do II again tomorrow
than to have those girls fussing around
without getting anything DONE"
well, IL you do it tomorrow, I'm
going to help. couldn't bear the
thought Of anyone else here with you.
Kate-I wanted to tell you this after
noon when we were playing that
stupid game. You are worth all the
other girls put together Kate. want
you to promise to marry me-"