The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-10-13

here with you once or twice day. Didn't
you tell me you had good housekeeper
Perhaps the change may be owing to her
some women have singular knack at
such things"
every likely your are right Iremem-
bernow, that notwithstanding all could
| say, Mrs. Stone would exclude the sun !;
and the furniture is certainly arranged
different from what it was. A marked
| mprovement-which I hope will extend
TO and beyond the dinner table"
1t was not possible to find falt with the
variety and quality of the food placed be-
fore them, nor the manner of its being
served; and the table appointments were
| perfect ; and Dayton congratulated him.
self upon having secured such ajewel of a
| housekeeper.
! The two friends passed their time in
reading, driving, fishing and occasional
| visits to the city; the housekeeper hers
il earning to the extent Of her power, by
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.
He remained after his friend departed
| Usually, if he did not 60 into town, he
spent his mornings between the library
! and garden the afternoons in driving
himself; sometimes in taking the young
! ladies of neighboring family, Lilly and
Maud Grandson, to drive. They were
| the only family with whom he visited ia
miliarly. Through the servants, the new
housekeeper heard rumors of an attach
ment between the eldest daughter, Lilly,
a fair and amiable girl, and Mr.. Dayton.
The weeks passed, and holiday came.
Mr.. Day ton had gone to town the day pre-
vicus, to remain the rest of the week.
The houseAeeper had given permission to
the servants to go also. She felt it well
come relief to have the house and the day
to herself. She locked the door carefully
after the last servant. She would make
the most of the day. She would have no
dinner-only lunch. She had almost
forgotten her real character in that in
which she had assumed I; but to-day she
could be herself with out fear of intrusion
or discovery.
She laid aside her cap and grey tresses,
washed the stain from her skin, arranged
her luxuriant hair in becoming curls, and
donned a pretty fresh muslin, which fitted
well theslight graceful figure. This done,
she entered the parlor and stood before the
mirror, as attractive fgue as one would
often see.
"Truly, had forgotten my own looks
[ am Kate Franklin, after alp she
laughed.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She fele gay, light
hearted, and like committing any foolish
ness.
''Miss Franklin," she said, in mincing,
| affected tones of an exquisite, cit would be
irrepressible pleasure to hear the music of
that long silent voice"
at would be great pity to deprive
you of it then," she answered, in her ma
tural voice, "and myself, also," she added !;
| and going to the piaLo, she opened it and
played few pieces with exquisite taste
and skill, and then she sung song after
| song, in sweet clear, cultivated voice.
She chose at first brilliant and trium-
phant, then the sad and plaintivc succeed
| ed. There were tears in her eyes when
she rose. But to-day moods were capri
cious.
"Mrs. Franklin, who is playing on the
| piano - she asked, in an excellent imita-
ton of Mr.. Dayton's voice
at is only [, sir, dusting the keys
They need dustlng SO often, she replied,
in Mrs. Franklin's mature tones and she
busted them vigorously with her pocket
handkerchief
"Ah me p she said. Now, what other
foolish thing shall 1 do 20 prove myself
that l am not an elderly housekeeper, but
young girl who, by virtue of her age,
should be gay, by right of birth, wealthy
and of consideration visited and visiting,
as Mr.. Dayton's lady love visits and is vis-
ited. He is noble, and good, and hand
some," she said with sigh. "She will
be happy. How gracefully she danced
here, at the party, the other evening,
when the old housekeeper 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 hummiug an air, she
Aoated gracefully about the room.
She stopped breathless, her cheeks bril-
liant from the exercise, her splendid hair
disarranged.
81 believe 1 feel like stiff old Mrs
franklin, with whom dancing doesn tagree.
zone more song from that heavenly
voice, Miss Franklin. and shall go away
dreaming 1 have heard the angels sing"
in the ludicrously affected voice she had
before initiated.
.------ ----SrsT~-