The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-09-30

inward remark.
Il think you will suit me, Mrs. -, what
did | understand your name?'
Franklin
Mrs. Franklin, you will be required to 20
out OF town, about seven miles, to my coun-
try house-Oak Grove in the town OF EN-
bury, on the great Central Railroad. The
salary propose to pay is six hundred pei
annum. Do my terms suit?'
Suit! Six hundred to the half starving
person before him seemed lndia's wealth.
She answered quietly that they suited.
Then it is all settled. BY the way, sup
pose you have references, though oil this is a
mere matter of FORM
The name Of Davenport was given.
Davenport. Robert Davenport Iknow
them. All right. then. II convenient, you
will please 90 tomorrow, Mrs. Franklin, o,
the next day. shall not be down till the
middle of next week, and shall probably
bring friend or two with me. Have the
chambers in the centre and wing prepared, ii
you please. The housekeeper th. 70 now will
not leave till Saturday. She will show you
round
'Mrs.-Is your wife there, or to 60
soon?'
He laughed.
Mrs. Edward Dayton' No. she is not
there, and do not know Of her going at
present. Adding, more seriously, Il have
not the pleasure, Mrs. Frnklin. OF having
a wife, with slight stress on pleasure
A vivid color came into the brown cheek
Of the housekeeper, and her manner showed
evident embarrassment. ......
Il thought believe-I cannot and
stopped.
He did not notice /, His mind had nj.
ready turned to other things.
1T Is all settled, believe. BY the way.
his eye falling on the rusty black silk dress
you may like an advance AS an evidence oI
the bargain. II is quite customary, be.
lieve. to do so.'
Much Edward Dayton knew about the
custom Of such things, but it was like hi'
kindness and delicacy to say 50.
The housekeeper's hand closed on the fifty
dollars he gave her; and the words she would
have said were left unuttered. She moved
to tho door. lie opened it for her courteous.
ly.
Good morning, Madam
.Good morning she replied.
Il cannot starve. must so. 1 can keep
up my disguise. she murmurcd.
Mr.. Dayton accompanied by friend. ar
rived at his country house the middle of the
ensuing week. Everything within and abou,
the house was in perfect order. If the new
housekeep,r had made few mistakes at first,
they were soon rcc,iied. Every room she
had touched showed q magical change.
Her predecessor had been one of the kind
who believe in the sunlight never entering II
room for fear of fading carpets and curtains;
whose watchword was "order," and there.
fore the furniture was set primly back against
the wall, as If fixtures. and their position
had not been altered for years; and who
moreover couscientiously believed cut flower:
in room unhealthy. -
The new housckecper's belief differed In
these respects. The chcery sunligh. was al'
lowed to enter when and where it would
flowers were on the tables and mantle piece :
the furniture was disarranged with careless
grace; ornaments were taken from drawer
and closets where they had been carefully
packed away, and spoke for themselves on
marble shelves and mintle-pieces.
Mr.. Dayton felt the change without know
ing the reason for it. He looked around him
with satisfied air. 80
.This is a grand CHEEKY old place, af,el
all. Do you kaow. Lyon. | have shunn, d
il as the gloouest Of nil gloomy places.
haven't stayed heisa fortnight all put to-
vether, for the last five years. IL must be
YOUR presence. old fellow, that has brighten
cd it up so, or the gloom was all in my imag
iuation
Not altogether; for remember it just a'
you do. You forgot have run down here
with you once or twice before to-day. Didn't
YOU tell me you had new housekecper'
Perhaps the change may be owing to her.
some women have singular knack at such
things
Very likely you arc right. remember
now. that notwithstanding oil could say
Mrs. Stone would exclude the sun; and the
furniture is certainly arranged differently
from what it was. A marked Improvement
which hope will extend to and beyond
tho dinner table
i IL 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 periec,
and Dayton congratulated himself upon hav
ing secured such jewel of housekeeper
The two friends passed their time in read
ing, driving, fishing, and occasional visits to
the city the housekeeper hers in earning e
the extent Of her power, by attention to their
bodily wants. the six hundred she received
She had received an easy master. MIR. Day
ton was never fault-6nding, always pleasant
and courteous. ....---
lie remained after his friend departed. Us
ually. IL he did not 90 into town. he spent
his mornings between the library and gar
dens the afternoons in driving himself. some
times in takin. the young ladies OF neigh
boring family, Lily and Maud Grandson, tC
drive. They were the only family with whom
he visited familiarity. Through the servants
the new housekeepcr heard rumors OF an At
tachment between tho eldest daughter. Lily
fair and amiable girl, and Mr.. Dayton
/. The weeks passed, and holiday came.
Mr.. DAYTON had gone to town the day previ
Gus, to remain the rest Of the week. Tho
housekceper had given permission to the ser
wants 10 20 also. She locked the door care
fully after the last servant. She would make
tho most OF her day. She would have no
diuncr-only alunch. She had almost Tor
gotten her real character in that which sh'
had assumed but to-day she could be her.
self without fear Of intrusion or discovery
She laid aside her cap and grey trcsses
washed tho stain from her skin, arranged
her luxuriant hair in becoming curls, anc
donncd a pretty fresh muslin, which fitted
vel, the slight aud graceful figure rs ons