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THE
SCRANTON T1UBUNJ3-
DECEMBER
1902;
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7As few r.
THE Al'ttllJ etui was pouring In
through the halt open window
and ti gentle breeze from the
houth swayed Hip Ions ourtalns.
But there wns vrry little miiiflhlnc
In Annabel Maltland's heart, and the
south wind brought no soothing roller
to her (lushed brow.
She hud Just cleared nwny the break
fast things and dusted tliw library and
hall, and now hc was ntiuullng ut the
window of the little reception room,
looking anxiously out on the. street.
Presently there wore two sharp whirrs
at the telephone. Annabel ran back to
the Instrument. It wns u call from
acorgc. His Aunt Mary hadn't coihp.
rihe must have misted the train some
where. The next train wouldn't be In
until 3 o'clock. He would meet It then
and bring his nunt home with hhn.
"Any girl yet?" he called.
"No," replied Annabel, with a little
ratch In her voice.
"That's lough," snld George. "But
o11 get along some way. Good-bye."
Annabel hung tip the receiver with a
petulant little Jerk.
"It's all very well to say we'll get
hlong some way." she grumbled, "but
what good does that do? George can't
lift his linger to do a thing about the
hcius". Poor, old dear. And 1 did want
t" have everything so nice when his
aunt came. Well, I'm to get a few
hours' respite, anyway. I'd better be
studying the cook book some more, or
s'fiall I dust?"
.And then the telephone bell gave Its
double whirr again.
"This Is the I'nhiue Employment
Agency," said a voice. "We have a girl
that v.c think would suit you. She has
an e.Nc.-lleiil recommendation. And she
wis she can take the place ut once?"
.".Send her right up. please." said
Annabel.
"She will be up after luncfleoii," said
the voice.
This tinvj when Annabel hung up the
leceiver she smiled. Then s-ho stepped
Into the library and. packing up the
Cook hook, threw it back on the highest
book "helf.
"I'll take thai girl, no matter what
she's like." she murmured.
Then she hung up the feather duster
on Its hook in the closet umlt-r the front
stdlrway. and after Inspecting the
kitchen to ree that everything was neat
and clean and shining for Annabel was
an excellent housekeeper, despite her
culinary limitations she sought the
upper part of the house and busied her
self tidying up the room that was set
aside as the "girl's room."
- Annabel felt relieved: so very much
lelieved that she bioke tenth in song.
It was a song that George had liked
before they were married. How the
time had down. It seemed but yester
day that he was leaning ovei the piano
and begging her for another verse. And
now they were staid old married people.
.Man-led two years last October. She
stopped her song just long enough to
Interpolate a little sigh and then went
on.
Piobably it was the song that pre
vented her from hearing the doorbell.
It rang, and several times, too. And
then Annabel was startled by a loud
lap at the kitchen door. She luurled
down stairs and hastily turned the key
and the knob.
There stood a neatly garbed woman,
a woman of middle age, with a pleas
ant smile on her motherly face.
Annabel smiled, too. when she caught
sight of the stranger.
"Come right in," she s.ild. "I'm so
glad you didn't disappoint me. They
telephoned that you wouldn't be up un
til after luncheon."
"Who telephoned?" Inquired the
stranger, and she still s-mllcd.
"Why. the agency people," replied
Annabel, "Won't you sit down?"
The stranger accepted the invitation
and Annabel seated herself befote her.
"Of course you cook" she said.
The stranger smiled again.
"I've had twenty years' experience at
il, ma'din," she said, with u nueer lit
tle twitch to her mouth.
Plain or fancy?"
I think I may say both, ma'am."
"1 like the modest way you say It,"
s.ild Annabel. "They most always
boast so. Y you make good bread?"
"I haw been told so, ma'am."
"And pies anil cakes?"
"Ves, ma'am, and cookies."
'George likes cookie.. Yes. and he
likes fried cakes. Do you make fried
cakes?"
"Ves, ma'am, and Joliunycnke, loo."
"Me loves Johniiycnke. but wo never
had a girl who could make il to suit
him, What afternoon would you like
out?"
"I'm not very particular, mu'um,"
said the stiangcr. "Pel haps we can
arrange that later."
"I'm sure we can," said Annabel. "I
pay four dollars and have a laundress
livu days In the week."
"That Is satisfactory. 1 think," said
the stranger. "Have you much com
pany?" "Very little," said Auuubcl, "and I al
ways help with the work, too. You
wouldn't mind my coming Into the
kitchen, would you?"
"Notiln the least," said the stranger.
"1 think. I'd rather like It."
"Thank .you,", said Annabel. "And I
hope, you Hiid the kitchen suits you."
The stranger looked about her with a
critical eye,
"It seems very convenient and very
clean," she said, with an approving
nod.
"I think you will find the place a
comparatively easy one," said Anna
bel. "Theie will bo no children to
bother you."
"I nm sorry for that," said the
stranger.
Annabel gave her a flulck glance.
"I think T am going to like you very
much," she said, "Will you look at
your room now?"
So she took the stranger up the back
stairs to the airy and sweet smelling
chamber, with Its snowy bed and cur
turns, and the stranger, as she laid aside
her hat and cape, said the room aulte
suited her. Then she asked Annabel to
lend her a common frock that she could
wear until her frock came. And Anna
bel hustled about and decked her In an
ancient summer gown and a white
apron und a white cap, and then stood
back and contemplated her work with
great satisfaction.
"Why, you're a picture," she said.
"But you are not thinking of making
an art gallery of your kitchen," laugh
ed tho maid.
Alio" somehow Annabel failed to see
any Incongruity In this remark.
.She escorted the new help hack to the
kitchen and then hastily slipped Into
the dining loom and telephoned to
U corse. '
"George," she murmured. "a new girl
has come, and I knww she's . Jewell"
"Don't lot her slip from the setting
until I can see her,'' laughed George,
"What Is she, an emerald?"
"She's a diamond of the llrst .water,"
said Annabel.
"If she's a diamond she must have
carroty hair," chuckled George. "Hut
say, don't forget 'about Aunt JIary."
"Not for n moment." said Annabel.
"I am all ready for her now."
So Annabel and the new maid got the
little luncheon together, and ate It to
gether, for here, thought the young
mistress, Is a muld that familiarity will
not spoil.
But right In the midst if this little re
past Annabel stopped short.
"Dear niu," she cried. "I've never
thought to ask you for your name."
The maid looked up.
"It doesn't much matter," she said.
"Suppose you call me by the name the
children called me at my last place. It
was Auntie."
"It sounds a little familiar," said An
nabel, "but of course I'll call you tlvU
If you prefer It. George will think it
funny, thoingh."
"Your husband?"
"Ves. He can see fun hi almost ev
erything. Tie has even cracked Jokes
over my being without a girl."
"I am afraid he Is a little Irreverent,"
said the maid.
"Hut ho began to feel more serious
about It last night." said Annabel.
"How was thnt?" queried the maid.
"Why, he had a telegram from his
Aunt Alary saying she would be here
today. He had been expecting her for
several weeks. She has been abroad
and with u niece in California, and
George hasn't seen her for four years.
And he was so anxious she should have
a good time while she was with us, and
he even hopes to coax her to stay here
indefinitely, because she has no settled
home. He thinks so much of her. you
know. She was very, very good to him
when he was a boy, after his mother
died. And lie was anxious. to have her
see me, and like me, too she has never
seen me, you know. But really what
sort of an impression could a young
housekeeper make when she hadn't a
girl?"
The new maid laughed.
"And is this aunt supposed to be a
very exacting person?"
"George says she is kindness Itself,
but I'm al'i-ald she would be a little
critical. You know how we women
are. Of course I suit George, but then
he is quite blind to my faults. I'm
i tally a rattlebrain, you know. Mercy,
how I'm going on now!"
The new maid laughed over her tea
cup. "I think." slTi- said, "that you've been
hungering for somebody to listen to
you."
"That's just it," said Annabel. "It
was different when Lena wai here. She
was a German girl, and very well edu
cated and so sensible. We often read
Gorman together, and really she used
much more careful English than T do.
Hut her mother's health failed, and she
had to go home and look after her
father and th" younger children. That
was five weeks ago, and I've been try
ing to replace her ever since. And
really, you know, It's been dreadfully
lonesome here ever since she went
away."
"I can Imagine It." said the now
maid, "l'vo been lonesome myself a
good many times." And she quickly
and deftly cleared away tho remains
of the simple nieuli "Vou said your
husband's nunt was coming today?"
"So she telegraphed," said Annabel.
"Hut she wasn't on the train, George
says sh.j must have been delayed some
whore, but ho expects she'll surely be
here on tho late afternoon express. And
I want to have a real nice little dlnenr
for her, you know."-
"Of course," said the new' maid, with
a sympathetic nod.
"And you must let me help you get
It," d.ild Annabel.
The new maid laughed.
"You have my most gracious permis
sion," she said.
"Oh, I'm not an useless as I look,"
protested Annabel.
"And I'm quite sure therfl is nothing
useless about your looks," said the new
maid, ns rhe put her head n little on
one side and glanced ndmlrlngly ut the
pielty face with Its Hushed cheeks and
Its bright eyes.
"Oh, thank you," cried Annabel, and
the Hush grew deeper. "That's what
George would call a barefaced jolly."
When Annabel's sharp ears heard
George on the porch she was waiting In
the library, and ran to throw the door
open. George wus alone.
"Why, whete's Aunt Mary?" she
cited.
"Not on the train," said George, lie
was much disappointed. "And I don't
know where to telegraph. Of course It's
barely possible she got off at tho upper
s.tatlon by mistake. But she's too old
a traveler to get lost or into trouble."
"Of course, dear," said Annabel. "And
I'm dreadfully disappointed, too. I've
got such a nice little dinner wnltlng for
her." Then she dropped her voice.
"We've got a jewel In the kitchen,
George."
"So you telephoned," said Gporge.
"Hope you won't llnd she's paste."
"I only hope she'll stick," laughed
Annabel.
And Just then the dining room bell
tinkled.
It wus u dainty little dinner, the Joint
production of Annabel and the maid,
and there was nothing George could
criticise. And how Annabel laughed
when George sumpled tho golden
johnnyc.ike.
"And how does that compare with
Aunt Mary's?" she asked.
"It's all right." said George, whose
mouth was too well filled to permit of
any further eulogy.
"The new maid made it," cried Anna
bel. The new maid did not appear In the
dining room. Once or twice Annabel
llltted out after some necessity for the
feast, but George caught no glimpse of
the accomplished stranger.
After they had returned to the library
and George had again studied the table
ot train arrivals In the evening paper,
ho looked up suddenly and said: "Did
you get a reference with this new girl?"
Annabel started.
"Bless me," she cried. "I forgot all
about it!"
George shook his head.
"That's bud," he said. "We can't be
too careful about these strangers. BIs
com told mo today about a girl they
took without a reference. She stayed
one night and disappeared with his
wife's best frock. I'll see this girl and
llnd out about her."
"Don't say anything that will hurt
her feelings, dear. Pot haps I'd better
go with you."
"You stay here," said George. "I'll
be right back."
Tho new maid was standing by the
kitchen table washing dishes, and be
side her stood George. He had taken
oft his coat Jind there was a big bltic
apron tied about his neck, und he was
willing the dishes as rast ns the new
maid washed them,
And they both were merrily laugh
ing. Annabel softly retreated back to the
library, Wondering what It meant. And
after a while George returned,
"The reference seems to bo all light,"
he said, "I. know some ot the people
she mentioned, and I'll look the matter
up more fully tomorrow."
"I. thought I heard you laughing out
there," said Annabel.
"Perhaps you did," said George. "She
needed a little cheering up. It seems
that shu's seen belter days, ot some
thing like that, and comes of a pretty
good family, and we've goL to try to
please hoi'. 1 found that out right
away. She's no ordinary woman, and
wo must expect to humor her."
"Then she thinks she'll stay with
us'.'" said Annabel.
"Ves," said George. "She likes you
and she likes the house, and I think
she's going to like inc. Anyway, shu
suld she moan I to stay Just as long as
we'd make her welcome."
"I'm very glad," said Annabel. "I
never w.is so much taken with a stran
ger before."
"Yes," said George, "but don't forget
that we have to Heat her well. We
must let her sleep In the front chamber
tonight."
"Why, George, that's tho guest
chamber."
"Yes, I know."
"And It's all ready for Aunt Mary."
"That can't be helped," said George.
"Weil let the tile maid sleep there to
night, und then we can make other ar
rangements. Sort of let her down easy,
you know,"
"Why, George, I never heard of such
a thing! You'll spoil her."
"Very well," said George. "I'll take
the responsibility. We've got, to humor
her. I'll go up now- and light the gas.
The the maid is tired and wants, to re
tire early and she had to arise early,
too, you know."
He paused In the hall doorway and
looked around.
"Annabel," he softly said.
"Well, dear."
"You're a little goose."
And he went up tho stairs chuckling.
"Annabel, Annabel, come down, you
lazybones. Aunt Mary Is here and
breakfast Is waiting."
Aunt Mary come! And the hostess
not up to welcome her. Oh, what a
shame!
How she hustled on her garment and
twisted up her pretty hair.
When she tripped Into the library she
looked about her eagerly. George was
standing by the mantel, and in the din
ing room doorway the new maid looked
at her with a smiling face.
"Where Is Aunt Mary?" she cried.
"The reference proves to be all right,
my dear," he said, with a comical qui
ver In his voice.
Annabel looked fiom George to the
new- maid, and the new maid's smile
slowly deepened.
"You you are Aunt Mary!" she cried.
"Oh, oh, how stupid I nm!" and two
big tears suddenly trembled on her
long lashes.
"It wasn't a very nice piece of de
ception, my dear," she said. "Rut you
know how I drifted Into it. Besides, it
gave me such a nice chance to make
your acquaintance. And then I know
tills wicked boy would appreciate tho
little Joke so much. You must forgive
me. dear."
"Your jewel stands the test, my love,"
laughed George.
Then Annabel couldn't help smiling.
"Breakfast Is waiting," said Aunt
Mary. Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Why the Best Dressed
Mem Deal Here
ifr- " "irx
The best dressed men through
out this locality buy their clothingf
at this store every man who wishes
the best comes to us sooner or later.
There are several
"why."
reasons
t
Mere Is Reason No. 1
We have the widest showing" of
up-to-date" styles. Different men
have different tastes require dif
ferent styles to suit their different
characteristics that's where our
wide style-range comes in.
A man can get from us just the
kind of clothing that makes him
look his best.
JOHN D. BOYLE,
i
410 Lackawanna Avenue.
You'll Need No Urging
To purchase this Neckwear.
Dainty Silk Mufflers of snowy whiteness, $1.00 each.
The newest of New York newness.
The bewitching Du Barry Scarfs, $3.50 each.
Lace and Real Lace Collars and Turnovers, Shirt
waist Sets, Neckwear to meet every American taste and
requirement. A collection so varied and exquisite as to
defy comparison.
', SOOTT & CO.,
12G
WYOMING AVENUE
I Sensible Suggestions i
for
Xmas Gifts.
What Shall it Be?
Sit down and think the matter over.
There is Mother and Father and Sister
and Brother.
There's Wife, or Son, or Daughter, or Hus
band, or Sweetheart.
There s somebody, that's certain. The man
or woman that hasn't a living soul they desire
to give a gift to, must be living a rather unsat
isfactory sort of existence.
Be sensible in this gift manner. Give
something that means not only pleasure but
comfort to the recipient.
If for a man or boy give him a suit of
Clothes, or an Overcoat, or a pair of Shoes, or
a fashionable Hat.
If for a womrn, a tailor-made Suit, a Skirt,
a Jacket, a Silk Waist, a Petticoat, a Muff, a
Boa. Give something that's useful.
Now you may not have money to buy all
the gifts you want to give. None of us is over
burdened with cash. Motiey is a' slippery
commodity to handle.
But there is a way out of the difficulty.
Come here, pick out all the presents you
want, charge them to your account, and pay
for them in small weekly or monthly payments
just as you choose.
A fair proposition, isn't it?
Then do it. Why not?
We are Manufacturers.
W e own 34 Retail Stcres.
Wj are the leading Gredit Cloth
iers of America. Competitors
cannot quota lower price.
EASY TO BUY.
EASY TO PAY.
Credit that is Liberal.
Convenient, Honest Credit that
doesn't make you pay extra for
the accommodation. Credit with
out security, without red tape.
Helpful Store for Christmas Buyers
The advantage of having a charge account at this Store becomes doubly apparent as Christmas draws
near. First: You want yourself and family to be comfortably and stylishly clad. Second: You want to give
to each member of your family a Christmas gift. You can buy everything here if you choose have it charged
and pay conveniently. We sell Clothing, Hats, Shoes for Women, Men and
Children.
Childre'ns Suits
Bring tho little fellow in nnd let us
make him happy with a brand now
suit. Two piece suits and three piece
suits, all good wool suits
$2.00 to $5.50
Timely Cut Price Sale of Ladies'
Sui(s,Silk Waists,Miilinery.
Fine Furs
Wo aell all kinds on Credit. Isabel
la Fox Boas, Imlmtion Bear Boas, Imi
tation Sable Scarf, Muffs, Electric Seal
and New Seal Jackets and other Fur
creatIon on credit
At Low Prices
Suits.
1,i1Ib' Tailor-made
Sulla Rere $15,
At this Sal,
$11.98
Suits.
Ladies' Tailor-made
Suits nei'fl IIS,
At this Sale,
$13.48
Suits.
Ladles' Ann Tailor.
mads Suits wre 20.
At this Sale,
$14.98
Millinery
Kxactly one-tlilrd of:
on prlco of every
Trimmed Hat In this
store during Sale,
Waists
Pretty Silk Waists
were JR.
At this Sale,
$2.98
Waists
Fine Silk Waists
were 8.
At this Sale,
$3.89
Waists
Finest Silk Waists
were MO.
At this Sale,
$5.48
Men's Overcoats
No store in this city can give you bet
ter overcoat value than we. We carry
a large and well-selected stock for men
and boys, Styles are strictly proper,
materials the best. Workmanship of
highest charactrr Cash or credit.
. $6.50 to $25.
Monte Carlo Coats
The reign of Monte Carlos is in full
control of coat fashion. Ulegance.smart
ness, grace, are all combined in those
we sell. Monte Carlos for ladies and
misses in all lengths made in popular
materials and tailored by skillful and
accurate hands.
$10 to $25.
HP HwF H ' ' rf . t
T w JTm
CRpDIT
HINGC9-
317 Lackawanna Ave.
Flrat Floor.
Store Open Every Evening Until Christmas.
i