The Coolidge examiner., 1932-10-14
Patsy in the
Kitchen
By BETTY SHERPLESS


there stood Bruce But what a
time for anyone to come unexpect-
edly, even her own, very good
looking nephew whom she had
urged to come any time he chose!
I'm terribly glad you came and l
want you to stay" she told him,
but I'm giving a reception this
afternoon and everything has gone
wrong. You'll just have to let me
go on dressing while / explain"
And there was plenty to explain
as Bruce sat on a chair in his
aunt's dressing room. The maid had
left the day before, in a huff. I'm
agine anyone leaving a good place
in hard times like these! And the
woman she had managed to get
turned out not to have any ideas
about party refreshments. But
finally they had got the sandwiches
ready and the ice cream and cakes
and things were coming from the
store. She had just telephoned to
an agency for a skilled waitress to
take charge in the pantry. There
would be five or six young girls to
serve as floaters. Then the door
bell rang and Mrs. Colingsworth
FASTENED downstairs and back
again putting.
1t was the girl from the agency.
Mrs. Collingsworth had just told her
to go out in the kitchen and get
an idea of how things stood. She
powdered her nose and dabbed her.
self with violet perfume. I'm
ready now-but tell me, Bruce,
what In the world brought you
out?"
For one thing, | wanted to see
you, Aunt Nellie" he said, "but
that was of secondary considera-
ton. Mostly / wanted to get away
from town. Best girl let me down
at the last minute and | thought
you'd cheer me up. By the way,
where can l conveniently hide while
the party Is in session."
Mrs. Collingsworth suggested that
he stay in the kitchen.
Bruce considered escape and de-
cided 1t was impossible, and as his
aunt went downstairs to greet the
first of the tloaters he beat a hasty
retreat to the kitchen. And there
sitting at the kitchen table slicing
lemon he saw Patsy.
well, how the dickens p Bruce
said. Patsy dropped the knife and
turned around. "Oh. Bruce" she
cried. "What a time | had to find
you. and then before | could ex-
plain, she marched me out here and
told me to get busy. What does
she think | am?"
thinks you're an expert waitress
from the agency. | suppose" Bruce
was explaining, and then Patsy put
a warning finger to her lip as Mrs.
Ccllingsworth hustled in.
You're sure you know what to
do?" she asked. "My nephew here
will go errands for you if you need
them"
The telephone had rung in the
pantry and Bruce answered. He
explained to his aunt that the call
was from the agency. He said they
wanted to know whether another
helper was needed and he had told
them no.
IL had a terrible time finding
you" Patsy was beginning again.
and then Mrs. Collingsworth reap
peared with a slender young float
e. to introduce to Bruce.
I'm crazy about floaters," he
told his aunt on the side, but they
rattle me. If you want me to keep
an eye on things you've got to get
them to stay out of the kitchen"
Then there was no time for Pat
sy to explain, and after the last
guest had departed and Mrs. Col
lingsworth had regained some sort
of composure, Bruce told her that
he had promised to take the girl
back to town.
Then-a quick getaway In
Bruce's roadster, past the residen-
tial streets to more open country.
"Why did you follow me out
when you were so sure at ten this
morning that you didn't want to
see me?"
Because l changed my mind"
the lovely Patsy explained. Some
thing happened Friday that made
me not want to see you, and then
when | thought it over | wanted
to see you more than ever"
"Why didn't you let me explain
to my aunt-why did you go
through. with it,"
Because" said Patsy, because,
Bruce, | was glad to earn the
money. Your aunt gave me five
dollars. You see, I've lost my job.
That's what | wanted to tell you.
thought maybe if you knew you'd
ask me to marry you again"
"You don't mean it, Patsy
You're not serious"
"Yes, l am" Patsy insisted.
TO xrnn