A DOUBLE TRAGEDY AVERTED

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5229, 19 March 1904, Page 12

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY AVERTED

(By Frances M. Hoskins.)

Jeanette’s bright eyes danced and her laughing voice called after me, ‘[third time’s a 'charm." This was .niil'd irony, for a more unpromising “criada” never took charge of a foreigner’s kitchen. Wo had tried three in as many days—Bursa, Rosario and now Dolores, the sorriest cf the lot. . • ■ ‘T felt sure,” continued Jeanette, "that musk be her name, and mark my words, it null be the name of the- rest of the family before the end of tho week.” As time passed on even Jeanette was forced to admit that Dolores, slow and stolid, was much better than tho average servant. It was often- necessary to - send her on. errands, huf we finally gave this up for two reasons) first, she never seem* ed to know when to return; second,, she stubbornly refused over to ask a policeman the way. If she could not find a house or street thus. unaiued. she would return - with the note or package, coolly lay them down, declaring she had boon unable to find the place. Only onco we insisted that when stmt upon such' errands she must not return until they were accomplished. ,We missed our dinner that day because of a too literal interpretation. Another trait, which we realised might cause great inconvenience, was her devotion to her family. We felt sura that if sickness or other trouble should come to auy of her near* relations, she would "fold her tent like the Arab and silently steal away." When we discovered that she. was an excellent cook our appreciation almost went to the length of writing a note of thanks to the foreign family who had taught her so well. It must have been after an mi usually appetising meal that Jeanette announced her intention of giving a dinner on New Year. Now everyone knows that dinnergiving is like matrimony—not to be entered upon ignorantly or unadvisedly. Jeanette was sure of her cook, but unfortunately she neglected to reckon with, the cook’s relatives. The auspicious day arrived. Pantry and icochcst bore eloquent testimony of the feast. The chicken was given over entirely to Dolores as she strongly objected to our assistance. Jeanette had just said; she thought she might risk a peep or two, when a sharp knock sent her to the door. A small boy thrust a* soiled paper into her hand;. It read, “Senorita, my brother has been hurt. I have, gone with him to ’the hospital. IV ilßconxe soon.'Dolores." : Jeanette fairly flew' to Die: kitchen—there were no - preparations of any kind—not even a fire had boon lighted. Then I heal'd a wail from below, , oarah. come to the Kitchen as quickly as you can, and tell me that you can eoqk this dinner.” Not' knowing the gravity, of the situation. I answered, rather flippantly, that I could make a welsh rare-bic or an oyster stew.

“Oli, Sarah,” she screamed, “don’t jest Dolores lias gone—the dinner isn’t even started, and those people irill be nere soon. Why were we taught music ins-toad of baking?” , : ■ ■ “Jeanette, there are two cargadores in the street. Write at once cancelling this dinner and X irill call these men to take the notes.” “What, at the last moment? That would never do.” “Then let them come, and we will take them to a restaurant.” "A restaurant,-indeed, when poor Charlie dines in one every day in the year." “One day more won’t kill him. then,” I retorted. ' , Nine women out of ten would have found refuge in tears at once but it was only when Jeanette began to think of Charlie that her pup of bitterness overflowed. She sat down in the deserted kitchen and-enjoyed the comfort of a “real good cry.” After that she was equal to any emergency. “Sarah," she said, between her sobs, “I thought you had some resources, but you haven’t made a suggestion that would do at all.” Then, with, calm resignation —“IV ever mind, I shall work it out my. self—l do beg, however, that you will wear your prettiest gown,” and she added solemnly, "If you were never entertaining before in yoUr life do try and be so this evening.” When Jeanette met her guests there was no outward sign of inward perturbation. Her cheeks were a trifle brighter than usual, but she did the honours so gracefully over that composite meal—a sort of luncheon, dinner and Dutch supper—that only one person suspected that {hero was no cook in the kitchen. Charlie’s admiration increased. “There’s pluck for you,” he mused. "I'll wager she will meet the ups and downs of rife in the same way.” ■ The climax came when. Charlie rose, glass in hand, and begged iis to join him in a final toast. With a meaning glance at Jeanette's rosy face he said. “Lot us drink to the passing of Dolores.”