Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-06

ueeu, tue nousekeeper seiuom spoke, ex.
cept when asked a question. At leDgll
Mr.. Dayton looked up at her, and said
abruptly:
"Yours must be lonely life, madam
If it is not a painful subject, may | asl
how long since you lost your husband 2
Two hands suspended their employ
ment, two eyes looked up at him with ar
alarmed expression. In bis serious, sym
pathetic countenance, there was nothing
TO frighten or embarrass, but the rec
grew deeper and deeper in the brown
cheek.
ut is painful subject" she said, al
last, falteriugly. "If you will please tc
excuse me-"
Pray, pardon me, madam. 1t was
further from my wish, or thought, TO give
you pain" he returned with grave cour-
tesy.
His manner, after this, was even kind.
es than before. 1t became the custom TO
invite her to sit with him every evening.
She commenced to decline; but, as he
invariably insisted upon a reason, it was
not always easy to find one. If she gave
household cares, be called one of the SER
wants to attend to it. Once, she frankly
told him it was not agreeable, but she
never did it second time; but for a
week he had wrapped himself in impene.
trable reserve, looked cold and gloomy,
never speaking except from necessary
civility.
AT last the poor bousekeeper could
bear it no longer. After tea, without an
invitation, which had not been extended
TO her since that night, she took her knit
ting and went into the parlor. The first
approach to a smile she had seen on bis
face for many days frightened it then,
but he did not say great deal.
After this it became regular custom.
There could be no danger to him in the
gray hair, the seemingly aged face and
figure before him but was there none TO
her, evening after evening, sitting oppo-
site the manly, handsome fellow, showing
his goodness and large heartedness, lis
tening to his intelligent and polished con
versation
One morning he was speaking Of the
great loss to children in being deprived of
their parents.
81 never knew a mtther," be said
'she died before my earliest recollection.
[ believe that, man as I am, if | had a
mother, should go TO her with all my
griefs, as a little child would. have
sometimes thought Of asking you to act
as mother in these quiet evenings, when
have longed to confde in some one
My mother would have been about your
age, l think"
Again there was vivid color 10 the
brown cheek Of the housekeeper, such as
is rarely seen in the aged, and it was ac-
by culver of the lip and
smothered noise which ended in a cough,
but both mouth and cheek were quickly
covered with a handkerchief, and quite
violent fit of coughing succeeded.
Mr.. Dayton, however, had not seemed
10 notice, though he had given her one
curious glance, instantly withdrawn, and
be continued:
"For instance, respecting matrimony.
whose advice ESQ much value as a moth
sr's? Who so quick to see through char
,cter, and make wise selections Had
you son, who about here would you
select for daugbter-in.law, Mrs. Frank
in ?"
81 am not acquainted with any of the
young ladies" Mr.. Dayton, she answered
aintly, after a pause, during which he
seemed to wait for an answer.
True, but you have seen them all, and
ire, l should judge, good discerner of
character from observation. Who would
7ou select from those you have seen p
le persisted.
She Redeemed, and paled.
81 have heard the Misses Grandson
highly spoken Of. Their appearance
would seem to prove the truth. doubt
lot you agree with me-" she returned
luietly.
1t was now his turn to color, which be
I'D slightly.
81 do agree with you," be answered
mphatically.
at is to be then, as supposed" said
be housekeeper to herself, as she went
lp to her room.
1t was late in September. Mr. Dayton
md the housekeeper were both in the
,arlor. He bad been unusually grave
III day. 1t seemed to the housekeeper
hat bis manner was changed towards