Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-12-23

Maud Grandson to a drive. They were
the only family with whom he visited
familiarly. Through the servants the
new housekeeper heard rumors of an at
tachment between the eldest daughter
Lilly fair and amiablc girl, and Mr..
Dayton.
The weeks passed, and holiday came
MIR. Dayton had gone to town the day
previous. to remain the rest of the week
The housekeeper had given permission to
the servants to 60 also. She felt it a well
come relief to have the house aud the
day to herself. She locked the door care
fully after the last servant. She would
make the most of her day. She would
have no dinncr-only lunch. She had
almost forgotten her real character iu
that which she assumed, but to-day she
could be herself withoat fear Of intrusion
or discovery.
She laid aside her cap and gray tresses
washed the stain from her skin, arranged
her luxuriant hair in becoming curls, and
donned pretty fresh muslin, which fitted
well the slight graceful figure. This
done, she entered the parlor and stood
before the mirror, as attractive figure
as one would often see.
Truly, had forgotten my own look !.
| am Kate Franklin, after all :" she
laughed.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any foolish
uess.
Miss Franklin" said she, in the
mincing, affected tones of an exquisite,
"it would give NE inexpressible pleasure
to hear the music Of that long silent
voice"
:" 1t would be great pity to deprive
you Of it then," she answered in her natu
raj voice, and myself also," she added !;
and gong to the piano, she opened it and
played few pieces with exquisite taste
and skill, and then she sang song after
song in sweet, clear, cultivated Voice.
She chose at first the brilliant aud tri-
umphant, then the sad and plalntive sue
ceeded. There were tears in her eyes
when she rose But to-day her moods
were caprcious.
Mrs. Franklin, who is playing on the
piano p she asked, in an excellent imlta-
tion Of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
1T is oniy |, sir, dustiny the keys
They need dustius SO often, sue replied,
in Mrs. Frankliu's mature tones and
she busted them vigorously With pocket
h.Hi.erehief.
All uc?' she said Now what 9th
er foolish thing can | do to prove to my.
self that am not an elderly housckeep-
er. but a young girl, who by virtue OF
her age, should be gay, by right of birth,
~.athy-and Of consideration, visited
and visiting, as Mr.. Dayton's laay love
visits aud Is visited. lie is noble, and
good, aud handsome" she said with
sigh. she will be happy. How grace
tul She danced here, at the party, the
other evening, when the old hous:keeper
was permitted to look on! She looks
GOOD and amiable too-Mr. Dayton
danced with her three times. | wonder
if | have forgotten how to dance ~ and
humming au air, she foated gracefully
about the room.
She stopped breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair disarraEged.
Il believe | feel like stiff old Mrs.
Franklin, with whom dancing doeaeut
agree
"One more song by that heavenly
voice, Miss Franklin, and shall 60 away
dreaming have heard the angels sing
in a luilcrously affected voice she had
before initiated.
All ~ she laughed, but half sadly,
"the compliments poor old housekeeper
Franklin receives l certainly hope wont
spoil her, and turn her silly old head
She sat down at the piano, and sang
Home, Sweet Home;;' then she played
one of Beethoyen's grandest aud most
solemn pieces. She rose and closed the
piano.
The carnival is ended. Kate Frank
lin disappears from the scene, and Madam
FraIklin enters.
Neither Mr.. Dayton nor the servants
would have suspected from the placid
di,uied department OF the housekeeper
when they returned that evening, of what
strange freaks she had been guilty.
The housekeeIer, as usual, when Mr..
DAYTON was alone, Sat at the table. 1t
had commenced to rain violently, and the
weather had grown suddenly very cold.
Mr.. Dayton, as he had done OCCASION
ally, invited her to the library, where
there was Il cheerful fire in the crate
lie read the letters and papers which he
had brought with him from town, while
she knit.
An hour or more passed in silence, in-
decd, the housckeeper seldom spoke, ex'
cept when asked question. At length
Mr.. Dayton looked up at her and said,
abruptly:
Yours murt be lonely life, madam.
If it is not painful subject, may l ask
how long since you lost your husband p
Two hands suspended their employment
two eyes looked up at him with an
alarmed expression. In his serious, SYM
patbetic couutenancc. there was nothing
to frighten or embarrass, but the red
Grew deeper and deeper in the brown
cheek.
at is painful subject" she said at
last, faltcringly. "If you will please to
avcnse ma