The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-09-21

The hOusekeeper's hand closed on the
+ fifty dollars he gave her. and the words
I she would have said were left unuttared,
She moved to the door. He opened it
for her cOurteously.
Good morning, Madam.
Good morning" she replied.
Il cannot starve, l must 90. l can
keep up my disguise" she murmared.
Mr. Dayton, accompanied by friend,
arrived at his country house the middle
+ Of the ensuing week. Everything with
in and about the house was in perfect
order If the new housekeeper had
made few mistakes at first, they were
soon rectified Every room that she had
/ touched showed a magical change
Her predecessor had been one of the
kind who believed in the sunlight never
entering room for fear OF fading carpets
and curtains; whose watchword was
/ order and therefore, the furniture was
set primly back against the wall, as if
( fixtures, and their position had not been
altered for years; and who moreover con
scientiously believed cut flowers in a
/ room unhealthy.
( The new housekeeper's belief differed
in these respects. The cherry sunlight
was allowed to enter when and where it
would; the furniture was disarranged
with careless grace; ornaments were ia
ken from the closets where they had been
carefully packed away, and spoke for
themselves on etcgeres, marble shelves
and mantle pieces.
Mr.. Dayton felt the change without
knowing the reason of it. He looked
around him with a satisfied air.
This Is a grand cherry old place, after
all. Do You know, Lyon, have always
Stunned it as the gloomiest OF all gloomy
places. | haven't STAYED here q fortnight
all put together, for the last five years.
1t must be your presence, old fellow,
that has frightened it up so, or the gloom
was all in my imagination
Not altogether; for | remember it
just as you do. You forgot l have run
down here with YOU once or twice a day.
Didn't you tell me you had good house
keepe;? Perhaps the change may be
owing to her. some women have a sin
gular knack at such things.
Very likely you are right | remem-
Der now, that notwiths standing all could
say, Mrs. Stone would exclude the sum-
and the furniture is certainly arranged
different from what it was. A marked
improvement-whic l hope will extend
to. and beyond the dinner table"
1t was not possible to find fault with
the variety and quality of the food placed
before them. nor the manner of its being
served; and the table appointments were
perfect; and Dayton congratulated him
self upon having secured such jewel Of
Il housekecper.
The two friends passed their time in
reading. driving, fishing, and occasional
visits to the city: the housekeeper here
1 80 I, L.,
attention to their bodily wants the six
hundred she received She had an easy
master Mr. Dayton was never fault
finding, always pleasant and courteous
Heremaincd after his friend departed.
Usually, il he did not go into town, he
spent his mornings between the library
and garden; the afternoons in driving
sometimes in taking the Young ladies of
a neighboring family Lilly and Maud
Grandson, to drive. They were the only
family with whom he visited famiiarly
Through the servants, the new house
keeper heard rumors of an attachment
between the eldest daughter, Lilly, q fair
and amiable girl. and Mr. Dayton.
The weeks passed, and holiday came
Mr DAYTON had gone to town the day
previoHs. to remain the rest of the week
The housekeeper had given permission
to the servents to 90 also. She felt it Il
welcome relief to have the house to her
self She locked the door carefully after
the last servant She would have no
dinner-only lunch. She had almost
forgotten her real character IN that which
She had assumed. but today she could
be herself without fear of intrusion or
discovery.
She laid aside her cap and gray tres
seS. washed the stain from her skin ar
ranged her luxuriant hair in becoming
curls and donncd Il pretty fresh muslin,
which fitted well the slight graceful fig
ure This done, she entered the parlor
and stood before the mirror, as attrac-
tive a figure as one would often see.
Truly. had forgotten my own looks.
| am Kate Franklin, after all She
laughed.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishnes
Miss Franklin. she said. in the min
cling affected tones of an exquisite, lit
would be inexpressible pleasure TO hear
the music Of that long silent voice "
1T would he great pity 10 deprive
vou Of il then she answered, in her
natural voice. land myself, also, she
added. aud going to the piano. she open
cd il anil PLAYED a few pieces with ex-
CuiSite taste and skill, and then she sung
song after song, in a sweet, clear, culti-
waited voice She chose at first the brill
liant and triumphant, then the sad and
plaintive succeeded. There were tears
in her ewes when she arose, But TO day
her moods were capricious
Mrs Franklin. who Is playing on the
niano?" she asked, in an excellent imi-
tation of Mr. Dayton's voice.
IT is only 1, sir, busting the keys
They need busting so often, she replied
in Mrs Franklin's mature tones, and She
busted them vigorously with her pocket
handkerchief
.Ah. me-. she said Vow what 9TH
or foolish thing shall | do To prove 70
rnvself that | am not an elderly house
keeper. but young girl who, by virtue
of her age. should be gay, by right Of
birth. wealthy and of consideration visi-