Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-06
IRAsBURGH. YERMONT, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6. 1865

'
himself, sometimes taking the young la
dies of neighboring family, Lily and
Maud Grandson, to drive. They were
the only family with whom be visited fa-
milarly. Through the servants, the
housekeeper heard rumors of an attach.
ment between the eldest daughter, Lily
fair and amiable girl, and Mr.. Dayton.
The weeks passed, and holiday came.
Mr.. Dayton had gone to town the day
previous TO remain the rest of the week.
The housekeeper had given permission
to the servants TO go also. She felt it a
welcome relief to have the house and 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 dinner only lunch. She bad
almost forgotten her real character in
that which she had assumed; but to- day
she could be herself without fear Of dis
covery or intrusion.
She laid aside her cap and gray tres
ses, washing the stain from her skin, ar
ranged her luxuriant hair in becoming
curls, and donned pretty fresh muslin,
which fitted well the slight, graceful fg-
ure. This done, she entered the parlor,
and stood before the mirror, as attractive
a figure as one would often see.
"Truly, l had foEgotton my own look J
I am Kate Franklin, after all !" she
laughed.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light.
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishness.
"Miss Franklin" said she, in the min.
cling, affected tones Of an exquisite, sit
would give me inexpressible pleasure to
hear the music of that long silent voice.
at would be a great pity to deprive
you of it them" she answered, in her nat
ural voice, "and myself also" she added
and going 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 and tri-
Imphani, then the sad and plaintive sue
ceeded. There were tears in her eyes
when she rose. But to day her moods
were capricious.
Mrs. Franklin, who is playing on the
piano p she asked, in an excellent i'm
tia ton of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
at is only / sir, dustiug the keys
They need dusting SO often, she replied
n Mrs. Franklin's mature tones and
Sue busted them vigorously with her
pocket handkerchief.
"Ah me p she said. Now, what 9TH
sr foolish thing shall | do to prove to my
self that am not an elderly housekeep-
,r, but a young girl who, by virtue Of her
age, should be gay-by right of birth,
wealthy, and Of consideration, visited and
7isiling, as Mr.. Dalton's lady love visits
md is visited. He is noble, and good, |
md handsome" she said with sigh
She will be happy. How graceful she
lauced here, at the party, the other eve>
hing, when the old housekeeper was per-
nitted to look on She looks good and
lmiable too. Mr.. Dayton danced with
ler three times. wonder if / have for
yotten how to dance ~ and hummirg an
lir, she floated gracefully about the room.
She stopped breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
lair disarranged.
81 believe ! feel like stiff old Mrs.
Franklin, with whom dancing doesn't
gree"
zone more song by that heavenly voice,
Miss Franklin, and shall go away
lreaming have heard the angels sing
n a ludicrously affected voice she bad
,efore initiated.
"AhP' she laughed, but half sadly,
the compliments poor old bousekeeper
rankin receives / certainly hope won't
poll her, and turn her silly old head.'
She sat down again at the piano, and
anc Home, Sweet Home = then she
,layed one of Beethoven's grandest and
most solemn pieces. She rose and closed
be piano.
The carnival is ended. Kate Frank
in disappears from the scene, and Mad
IN Franklin enters.
Neither Mr.. Dayton nor the servants
would have suspected from the placid,
Iigniied department of the bOusekeeper
rhen they returned that evening, Of what
TRANCE freaks she had been guilty.
The housekeeper, as usual when Mr..
DAYTON was alone, sat at the table. 1t
,ad commenced to rain violently, and the
weather. had grown suddenly very cold.
Mr.. Dayton, as he had done OCCASION