SHORT STORY. THE PRETTY COOK'S CONQUEST.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 2 August 1913, Page 9

SHORT STORY. THE PRETTY COOK'S CONQUEST.

«&ear Mother,—Will be down on the tbwenty-fourth with my friend, '__l_9fi Estwald. He's a splendid fellow, I ■butt rich, and a little fastidious, per-'•hs_ts~-so have everything in trim. But tfhat warning is unnecessary-; you are always ready. Yours affectionately— Royal Dent." That simple little note brought consternation into the Dent household, ior the cook and maid-of-all-work had just taken French leave, -and -it vwould he impossible to fill her place on such short notice, for servants did not flourish readily in -the quiet littie village. "What *>ha*l wedof" exclaimed Mrs "Dent, glancing around at-iier three -daughters with an -expression-of tragic -despair. "Telegraph to >Royal that he must "bring a cook down with -him," said Ange, the youngest, with-an irrepressible smile. "Nonsense '■ To-morrow- is the twen-.y-fourth, ;so we -shall have-to all enter •the kitchen and take our turn, until 1 can engage -a cook." "Ob, mother! you .know it would spoil my complexion .to'-bend over the iot stove. That .plan-will-never-do," .•aid fair Gertrude, .folding her soft, lily-white haTids. "And if we do the-cooking, who will entertain Mr Estwald?" said Mira. "Well, you know we cannot get one now for' lov. or money," sighed the -troubled matron. "Yes, you can, another--mine. Here is one 'for love," said brown-haired -rown-eyed Ange. 'H -will be cook -until you can get one, and -Royals fastidious friend need never know it. * My name is Polly Ann, and I'll prepare the daintiest .dishes,- and you can -engage a boy to wait •in the dining room." , Mrs Dent hesitated, but- Gertrude .and Mira applauded the; plan eagerly, _as it would leave them free to enjoy the society -of the :i.bh>Mr! Estwald, and try their fascinations on him, for --each, in the secret depths of her own Miind determined to win him, if woman's charms had any power. "You are making -quite a sacrifice, Ange, my dear child, and I do not like to have -you banished in that style." "But it is self banishment," said Ange gayly, giving just one regretful sigh, and then entering heartily m the work before her. Royal came at the -.appointed time, accompanied by a handsome man of ,ight or nine and .twenty, with fair hair and moustache, keen, clear-blue .yes, and the winning-ease and grace of one long used to therrefined circles of society. . - The Misses D.ent were faultlessly dressed, and charmingly ■ cordial, and Mrs Dent beamed graciously, but Iloyal glanced around -with a dissatisified look. "Where is Ange?" <<She—she -" the -mother began, and then, not being in the habit of -telling falsehoods, she ; broko down. "She has gone .on a-.visit to Aunt Mary's," said Gertrude smoothly. "Must have "been rather sudden I he said, surprised. . "Oh yes, Ange, dear - child, us. so surprising," murmured "Mira, turning -to Mr Estwald with a sweet smile, and there the subject dropped. But passing through the back; part of the house an hour Hater Royal was astonished to find a young person, half hid in a huge apron; to-feel the fond pressure of soft arms around'his neck, the touch of a -.velvet cheek >. to 1 "Hello!" he .-ei-ied, Mlluig hack ,a step. ot , "Oh, Royal, don't -.you 'ksaow .-mef "Ange V hs "gasped. "Ko— Polly Ann, the cook;' 5 she cor- .-, rected, with a -soft laugh. . " *-*\ "What is the meaning -ot -all -tttis v mystery?" he enquired sternly >_ "Don't speak so loud;" she said, and then explained the situation "Hang it ail! 1"U I™V« a Go^' " ■1 have to go back to town : afte-r .one. Here I've brought Estwald down -to sco you, and then find you toaflufcefl •to the kitchen! I'v* a great mind so raise a row." "If you do, I—l wiU "SEW"I the jdiwier!" she cried, in alarm, then .disappeared in the pantry. Rcyal glowered at the bare wall for __ incite; then a smile suddenly spread over:J»is face, and he went back to the marlor, whistling cheerfully. '-Tbe tV'nner was faultlessly cooked and served, and after it was over, and her mother came to the kitchen, insisting on washing the dishes, tired Ange bathed her face, put on a fresh white dress, »d, taking a book, sought the solitude of the orchard. She combed to her favorite seat in the fork of an old apple tree, and had heen there long enough to _et rested and cool, when a.genweman came sauntering through the _iUMfr sweetufiss of W -the old orchard. ~i Ange did not see. him in time to ,un V. *>way or even get down from her pert*, md sat still and almost breathless., hoping he would pass on without seecame on, straight to that particular tree, a fold of her dress brushing his sleeve. He glared up, and said quickly: "I beg y^ir pardon." ' *'» r ? mni e6i>" she sald fr,gld y'

By Lizzie ¥l-riiin_R-.

apparently intent on her book. He stood st*U. "I am a sferanger here; came down with my friend, Royal Dent, this eiorning. sfou are a member of the family, I lifting his hat, and speafe'ing in the most respectful tone. Ange Raised her sparkling eyes, =a slight ismile curling her fresh red lips. "I _vm the cook, sir!" "Asi, yes! It must be delightful to serve so charming a family," leaning against a low sweeping bough, and ldolling at her with friendly—very friendly eyes, thought Ange, feeling a trifle warm. "Are you laughing at them, •sir?'" "No, indeed. lam in earnest!" he quickly cried. | "Just as I thought—ready to flirt with mistress or maid," said Ange to herself. She stole a glance at him. "He is very handsome; hut beauty sometimes covers a very deceitful heart. I shall test this fine gentleman." He interrupted her thoughts. "May I have an apple?" "If you like them so green. They are not good without salt," "Then I wish I had some salt." "I will divide mine," she said graciously, and held out her pretty hand, with a lump of salt lying in it. Encouraged by her friendliness, the gentleman drew nearer, smd while they partook of green apples and salt their acquaintance progressed rapidjy. Mr Estwald exerted himself to be particularly agreeable and interesting to the pretty cook, and she listened and felt the charm of his manner, though laying up retribution for him. That meeting was only the beginning. A week passed, and ev»ery day Allen Estwald managed to see the cook, for Ange still filled that position, and though indignant at his persistence she could not keep the telltale flush out of her face when she met his frank, admiring eyes, or check ;a thrill of pleasure when she heard his voice. At last they succeeded in securing the services of a stout woman, and with a little nervous laugh Ange said Aunt Mary wished her te return home. "I will come this evening, ancl be introduced at the tea table," she said, and went away to her favorite haunt in the orchard. She felt sorely troubled. It was her duty to hetray Estwald, and she shrank from the task with trembling dread, and finally decided to keep silent. Just as she had arrived at the generous conclusion he made his appearance. "So your situation has "been ta"ken from you?" he said with grave concern. "Yes," heaving a sigh. "What will you do?" "Try to find another." "I can offer you one if .you will accept it," speaking slowly and doubt* fully, and come quite close to her-. "You are kind," she murmured, averting her face. "What will I have to do?" "You will not have to eodk. Shall I give you a list of your duties?" "If you please," trembling at her own daring. "Then, the first and most 'important duty will be to love me as deeply and truly as I love you," coming nearer still, and stretching out his arm until it half encircled her. "Mr Estwald—sir! how dare you?" ] she cried out, turning her flushed face and flashing eyes toward him. '^-Inßh, Ange. until I have finished.''' "Ange? You know me, then?" "Yes," he said, and boldly took her hand. "Now, how long have you known?" she faltered, blushing deeply. "Royal told me the first day. Now., < may I go on and tell you about that.? 7 "No." "Why not, darling?" • "Because" lam angry—very angry— ,• aud I wish you would go away," with • qvavertng lips and tears trembling on her eyelashes. j •*'skot until I ask you to be my wife, I dear. I fell in love with your pictiwe before I saw you, ; and Royal's account of your manifold perfections determined me ito see you ; ,_nd win you, if 5. could." | He-talked eloqu.em%", and must have I won her complete forgiveness, for ■when -he lifted her down from her •perch he kept her clese'^n his _trms a minvite, and stole a ki'.ss fsom the sweet lips -iKwebuked. They met Rojyil at the shipper edge of the orchard, and ho* Cfcme neathugging them both in his iiAtet-.se satisfaction. . Gertrude and Mira could Auvt begrudge Ange's happiness, but' they were never able to understand t^ow she won Allen Estwald's love. "Because she is honest and truehearted, and not selfish," said her brother. "But she "is not pretty." "There I disagree with you; but there are other attractions besides beauty." • They continued to be puzzled, possibly because they did not care to understand.

The batik clerk doesn't have to have la musical education, but at the same time he couldn't hold his job if he didn't know quo note fr\>m another.