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

pieces with exquisite taste and skill, and then
she sung song alter song, in sweet, clear,
cultivated voice. She chose ut first tho brill.
liant and triumphant, then the sad and plain
tive succeeded. There were tears in her eyes
when she rose. But to-day her moods were
capricious. ..u.lI.
Mira. franklin. who is playing on the pi.
ano !? she asked in an excellent imitation OF
Mr.. Dayton's voice. y ... ..,....r u,
1t is only 7, sir, busting the keys. They
need dusting so often,' she replied, in Mrs.
Franklin's mature tones and she busted
them vigorously with her pocket handker-
chief. ..... ...
sAh, mo :! she said. 'Now, what other
foolish thing shall do to prove to myself
that I am not an elderly housekeeper, but q
young girl, who by virtue of her age. should
be CAV, by right Of birth, wealthy,-and OF
consideration, visited and visiting, as Mr..
Dayton's lady.loye visits and is visited. He
is noble, and good, and handsome. she said,
with sigh She will be happy. How
gracefully she danced hero, ut 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. I wonder if have forgotten
how to danes = and humming m air, she
hoated gracefully about the room. g.
Shc stopped breathless, her cheek brilliant
from the exercise, her splendid hair dsar-
ranged ..--r...
.Ibalieve feel like stiff old Mrs. Frank
lin, with whom dancing doesn't agree
.One more song from that heavenly voice,
Miss Franklin. and shall 90 away dreaming
I have heard the angels sing in the ludi-
crously affected voice she had before initiated.
.Ahv she laughed, yet half sadly, 'the
compliments poor old housckeeper franklin
receives hope won't quite spoil her and
turn her silly old head en- -.a
She sat down again at the piano, and sang
Home. Sweet Homc;' then played one OF
Beethoven's grandest, most solemn pieces.
She rose closed the piano.
The carnival is ended. Kate Franklin dis
appears from the scone, and Madame Frank
lin enters.
Neither Mr.. Dayton nor tho servants would
have suspected from the placid, and dignidcd
department Of ths housekeeper when they
returned at evening, Of what strange freaks
she had been guilty. .s.... .r..r.
The housekeeper, rs usual, when Mr..
DAYTON was alone. sat at the table. IL had
commenced to rain violently, and the wealth
or had grown suddenly cold IH .Ui
Mr.. Dayton, as no had done occasionally.
invited her into the library, where was n
cheerful fire in tho grato. He read the let
ters and papers which he had brought with
him from town while she knitted.
An hour or more passed in silence; indeed.
the bousekeeper seldom spoke, except when
asked a question. AT length. Mr. Dayton
looked up ut her, and said abruptly: :.
Yours must be lonely life, Madame. II
it is not painful subject, may ask how
long since you lost your husband"
Two hands suspended their employment,
two eyes looked up at him with an alarmed
expression. In his serious sympathetic coun.
tcnance, there was nothing to frighten or
embarrass, but the rcd grew deeper and deep
er in the brown ch 'eks.
1T is q painful subject she said. at last,
falteringly. 'lf you will please excuse me.
'Pray pardon me, madame 1t was farth
est from my wish or thought to give You
pain,' he returned. with gr,vc courtesy.
HIS manner, after this. was even kinder
than before. 1t became his custom to invite
her to sit with him every evening.
She commenced to decline; but as he in.
variably insisted upon u reason, it was not
always easy to find one. IL she gave house.
hold cares, he called upon one Of the servants
TO attend to it. Once, she frankly told him
il was not agreeable. but she mover did 1t a
second time; for, for week, he wrapped
himself in itnpenetrable reserve, looked cold
and gloomy, never speaking, except from
necessary civility. --.t.,- ...,
At last, the poor housekeeper could bear
il no longer. After tea, without an invita-
tion, which had not been extended since that
night, she took her knitting, and went into
the parlor. The 6rst approach to smile
she had seen on his face for many days bright
ened it then. hut he did not say great deal.
After this. it became the regular custom.
There could be no danger to him in the gray
hair, the seemingly aged face and figure be-
fore him; but was there none to her, sitting
opposite the manly, handsome fellow, know
ing his goodness and largo -heartcduess, lis.
tening to his intelligent and polished conver-
sation?
One morning he was speaking of the great
loss to children, in being deprived of their
parents. .r
Il never knew mother he said. She
died before my earliest recollection. be.
lieyc, that man No am, il hada mother, |
should 90 to her with all my griefs, rs lit.
tie child would. have sometimes thought
of asking you to act rs mother in these
quiet evenings, when have lcnged TO con :
Gde in some one. My mother would have
been about your age, i think. 't.r.) 3
Again there was vivid color in the brown
cheek Of the housekeeper, such "a is rarely
seen in the aged. and L was accompanied by
q culver of the mouth. and smothercd
noise which ended in q cough, but both
mouth and cheek were quickly covered with
handkerchief. and quite q violent ft OF
coughing succeeded. ~ q
Mr.. DAYTON, however, had not seemed to
notice, though he had given her one curious
glance, instantly withdrawn, and no contin.
ucd - -iN'--a- i' h'i'-a s.alt+ i
Forinstancc, resp citing matrimony. whose
advice Of 80 much value as mothers. Who
so quick to SEQ through character, and mako
wise selection ? Had you q son, whoabout
here would you select for daughtcr.in.law,
Mrs, franklin y. - 'll ~ ...e
II am notacquaintcd with any OF the young
ladies, Mr.. Dayton,' she answered, family,
after pause, during which he seemed to
wait for an answer. " t'''.
True, hut you have seen them all, and are,
Ishoald judge, a good discerner Of character.
from observation. Whom should you select
from those you have seen 2 he persisted.
She redeemed and palcd. i .a1