Evening star., 1928-12-22
THE EVENING STORY

the street gate slam, Mrs. Ames' face
grew relieved, though without losing all
its anxiety. She went quickly to the
back door and turned the key, as IL
to prevent the woman's return. Lois
laughed. :.
I'm afraid she'd have captured you.
If hadn't been near, mother" she ac-
cuSed.
II guess maybe she would" Mrs.
Ames admitted. though even while Civ
ing away, knew I'd rather do all the
work than have her round But do
hope your girl will be capable Just now.
The young man who asked me to take
him is different from anybody we ever
had before. He's only two years from
college, and already had some big con-
tract jobs. Now he's got the contract
for the big block going up across the
street, and he wanted a place nearby
his work. He's alone in the city, and
too busy to be far away. He spends .
most all his evenings drawing plans and
playing on his piano. He loves music"
How did you find out so much in so
short time, mother?" asked Lois,
amused.
Why" alphabetically, "he came in
just as you turned the corner toward
the drug store. Then he happened to
touch few keys of the piano while
we were talking and I'm enough of a
musician to know 1t was q masters
touch, and I said something about it.
and he mentioned reminded him of
his mother. So we've talked. He's
got house of his own, with piano
in the library but it's over the other
side of the city, seven miles away and
too far to watch his work. He went up
to unpack just before you came in. and
I'm afraid he must have overheard what
that terrible woman said, his room be-
ing at the head Of the stairs So
though Of course that doesn't matter.
You'll like him. Lois, being so fond of
music yourself"
Too bad can't see him, then, be-
ing cook. A cook isn't supposed to visit
the front part Of the house-though
certainly shall dodge in occasionally
while Aunt Helen and the boys are
here"
"Cook'" sasped her mother-"not you
the new cook?"
Literally so, mother Listen When
I heard that Amazon demand 81, and
! realized that you we're about to give
in. it struck me that 81 and board at
home. for girl that loved home, was
whole lot better than $40 away, minus
incidentals. And you know I can cook
all right, even If did brag about it
some"
"Oh, the cooking part would be all
right and Safe;'' still dazedly. 1T
wouldn't have to worry about that any.
But you"
Then let's laugh a merry good-by
to impertinent cooks, mother, for I
won't be impertinent. What a relief
that will be. And you are just as good
musician as I, except being out of
practice. With a reliable cook you'll
have leisure now. So / authorize you
to entertain our distinguished boarder
Should he hear by any chance of my
existence you may tell him I'm in the
kitchen frying doughnuts for him"
Then shall I withdraw my inten-
ton of apologizing for intruding into
its sacred precincts in quest of meal
hour information?" exclaimed laugh
ing voice behind them. Indeed, all
my intention of going out Is hereby re-
nounced until can locate that frying y
utenSil and its period of fragrant life.
Also this shall be my favorite hunting /,
ground. My grandmother used to fry
doughnuts for me. Anything to say?"
If you consider me your grand
mother, with authority to drive you out
whenever you're in the way" replied
Lois, doubtfully taken by surprise
The first evenings leisure he de- :,
voted to the piano, the second to the =
kitchen-where it came out that he
was pretty good cook himself in a !.
camping way. For some weeks his at ."
tention was impartial, then the kitchen ;
gained ground.
This went on for two months. Then,
one evening. while Lois was mixing
things together for the next days des-
sert, he came and stood by her for
some moments in silence, then:
Grandmother role no longer accept.
able. Lois, will you be my wife?"
Without removing any of the dough
she held out her hands. =
He caught the hands eagerly. That's /.
what attracted me in the first place, 3
Lois" he laughed, little catch in his
voice-"not being ashamed to cook. I /.
overheard 1t ALL" %
(The End)
(ConvriRht 1o2a)