‘ 1 There’s’ an old chintz-col ored rooster in the barnyard. If I could catch him I d have a chicken stew.” “ Tom, did you ever make a chicken stew i” ... .- “No.” .... ... ' ■ “Then you do not know what you are talk ing about,” said the lady, - with some asperity. - “ Yes I do. Onions, potatoes, celery, pearl barley, with a pinch of salt—” “ Nonsense !” interrupted Mrs Meredith. “Go pick that lobster out of its shell, and leave off romancing. You are a deal better at poetry and newspaper sketches than you are in. the kitchen ; though to "be sure” with a twinge of conscience, “ goodness knows what I should do without you just at this, particular emergency, you dear old darling.”.., i < The lobster was only half picked out of the shell, the buttermilk biscuit was still ■ unmixed, and Mrs Meredith, with a pocket handkerchief tied around her pretty brown hair, was-dusting the little drawing-room, when there , came a. ring at the door-bell. She put the perturbed head ont of the window in a most unceremonious manner. “ Who is there ?” she demanded in ahigh contralto. .. ' .“ Does Mrs Meredith live here ?” retorted a woman’s voice. And at the same moment the young, matron caught sight of a neat black leather bag,,, a black alpaca dres3, and a shawl of the plainest Highland plaid. « \ : -. • “ It s the new girl, thank providence,” said Mrs Meredith,, as she ran down the stairs, thanking honest Charlie in her heart for his unexpected promptitude. “ Come in,” said she, opening the door wide; “ I am so glad you are punctual, my good girl. From the Clair’s Intelligent Bureau, I suppose. No, don’t take off your things up here ; the servant's room is down stairs ; you may as well come directly down to the kitchen.” She led the way down, followed by the new girl, whose countenance bore a rather bewildered expression. “ What is your name ?” she asked patro* uisingly. “ My name ? Oh, it’s Martha,’ - replied the stranger in confusion.-. “Martha ?” critically repeated Mrs Mere dith. “ What an ugly name! I think I shall call you Pattie. 