Middletown transcript., 1868-05-30

| will call on you" =.
A half hour later, Mrs. Lyle was sur
prised by the entrance of a strange man
into her sitting-room, and the genuine
scream she uttered at his appearance, was
good evidence of his disguise, 10 SEYMOUR S
mind.
| His dark locks were covered with a
coarse red wig, his clear CON plexion had
been skillfully painted until it was freckled
as turkeys egg, and the faded suit he
wore indicated long credit at his tailor's.
Well, mother, how do you like me ?"
asked Seymour.
Like you? You are hideous! No dan
ger of any ones penetrating that disguise
Try and behave properly though, if Mrs
Wayne does engage you"
.'I am all propriety. Good bye mother,
for day or two. would kiss you, but
1T would be imprudent for a footman to
take such liberties.
Mrs. Wayne was pleased with the appli-
cant, who called himself John Steele, and
after few questions as to his capabilty-
the answering of which put John in a cold
perspiration-he was duly installed as
footman in her establishment One of his
| """Co WuS W tcA!u tHC lToub UOUT anu see
after the fires: and in these capacities he
obtained frequent glimpses Of Miss An
nette.
The second night of his engagement at
the Wayne mansion, there was grand
ball at the house of some one of the fash
ionables, and Miss Wayne atte ended. John
was to keep fire for her in the dressing
room, aud admit her when she came home.
Mrs. Wayne read novel and dozed in an
arm chair.
John began to think footman life any
thing but easy, when one O'clock struck,
and still no Miss Annette. inst before
two she rang. John hastened to let her
in, and in shutting the door managed to
set his foot on the trailing skirt of her
dress.
Her face flushed in angcr r. and she
snatched her robes around her with any,
thing but the lady-like grade Seymour
Lyle had always so much admired in her.
You awkward clownp' she exclaimed
sharply. learn to keep off lady's
dress or will have you dischh hrged !''
Beg pardon men," said John, polite
ly pulling his red foretop, " but it amt
every poor fellow as has been brought up
in the school of politencss, nd learned
what to do with his hands and feet"
"Who asked you to reply n she retort-
ed, contemptuously, ,..'- ..'
!" Nobody, mem" 1890
Mrs. Wayne met her on the stairs.
Mother, that new footman of yours is
an idiot! And he looks enou oh to give
me the horrors Heaven what chill
evening it has been Mr.. Lyle was not
there, and I made myself as hideous as
white and simplicity for nothing No 9th
er person has any appreciation for that
style. When we are married, though, T
will teach him that diamonds are more to
my taste than white roses"
&c dare say" muttered John between
his teeth. 81 dare say you'd have no OBJ
lection. to begin the lesson at Oh ace.
All the next day Miss Annette was cross
and out of sorts. On poor John her
wrath especially descended. lie could do
nothing to suit her and more than one
sharp reprimand he listened to, delivered
in that voice he had once thoug ght so soft
and sweet as being incapable of being
to the high key, which, after all seemed
most natural to it. --l
1AhhSooO SufC cOun OIutTS HOG UO aumlG
| any one; she was not at home; and she
passed the day curled up on the sofa in the
back parlor, with an old novel and taking
her ease in a soiled wrapper, and stock
ings none too fresh from the la undry.
just before dark there was timid ring
at the door. John opened it, and saw a
little shivering figure on the broad steps.
A pair of brown eyes looked up whistfully
in his face, and musical voice asked
" Is Miss Annette at home 70
Looking into the brown eyes, and MOTTO
ing the soft color which came and went so
charmingly on the pearly cheek, John for
got that he had orders to deny his young
mistress to any callers, and said quite in
his naturnl voice
+" Yes, she is. VIII you walk in ?"
The girl stepped into the hi MI, and he
saw that she was thinly dressed, and that
she carried a bundle He ushd red her in
to the back parlor at once, whore Annette
having renowned her sofa, was ensconced
in an armchair, with her feet on the fen
dar
She looked up and frowned at the intru-
sion.
"John you stupid blookhea adj I told
you | was not at home to-day -
=" Beg pardon, mem; l for got," said
John, nervously.
Well, it's one of my working people.
so it's of no particular consequence. Miss
Ainslee, have you brought me the cape
John, put some coal on the fire. It's
cold as Greenland here. Let us see how
you have done it, Mary"
The girl unrolled her bundle, and dis
played pink Thibet opera cape, embroi-
dcrcd in white so exquisitely that John
forgot himself again, and stood gazing at
it in profound admiration
"Dont stand there gazing John p' said
Annette, sharply. Put on Sc me coal !''
Then to Miss Alnsleo, 6 1t is really very