The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-04-30

lon, demurely. "However, II you de-
pend upon outside society, there are
plenty Of servant-girls about, whom /
have no doubt you can readily become
acquainted with"
~ don't fancy servant-girls as a
general thing" he answered calmly.
"I have rather high ideas for valet;
and consequently, have but little de-
sire to become acquainted with your
friends"
A little petulant shrug was all the
answer he received, as the young tile
de cItdn,6re turned and descended the
stairs.
"That man." she murmured softly,
sis no more servant than am. But
he shan't know that / suspect the
TRUTH" and she chuckled amusedly at
the thought of her own secret, which
he was far from divining.
After tea, while the master and
mistress chatted pleasantly on the
old-fashioned porch, the two servants
by The gate were sparring away gay
~.
"Why, Maggie" said the valet,
who answered to the name of John,
"yOu are twice as smart as half the
young ladies of the present day.
What makes you stay in so degraded
a position ? Don't you know enough
to teach school ?'
eyes, suppose So" replied Mag
gle, "with a mischievous smile, which
he failed to detect she had been pur-
posely "showing off," "But Pm very
much attached to Miss Lilias, and so
long as one Is obliged to work, what
does II matter what one does?
"A great deal" he answered, much
more excitedly than tho circum-
stances would seem to indicate; and
then he proceeded to show her how
she was fnjuring herself, and from
that they went off in a long discus
sion upon woman's sphere and when
they at last returned to the house L.
was with manifest reluctance.
For three weeks Mr.. Marston and
his valet John, remained at the old
homestead. Contrary to the cousins
word to Marian of the strange legacy
of his father; and everything went on
merrily until the night before their
departure, when visible sadness
overshadowed the whole company.
John drew "Maggie" down by the
gate. They had become very good
friends, Notwithstanding Maggie's
ideas at their first meeting.
"Well, Maggie" he began earnest
ly, tomorrow we 60 away; but be-
fore leave, l want you to promise to
act on my suggestion.
That "suggestion'' was that she
should leave her position as ladies'
maid, and seek some occupation for
which her talents and education fit
ted her.
Then without waiting for her reply,
he continued, earnestly:
" am more anxious about this
than you can well imagine"
His companion felt his heart beat
Ing tumultuOusly.
John cast a quick glance into her
dOwncast face, and then, as though
encouraged by what hesaw, went on,
impetuously.
"YOu must know what want to
say-must feel that / love you better
than any one else in this wide world.
And won't you tell me whether or no
you can ever return my affections ?"
Maggie did not answer In words,
but her shy little smile spoke vol
umes; and with glad smile he took
her close to his heart.
After little while he said serious
ly:
"Maggie, darling, perhaps you
think it strange that 1, servant my
self, should be 80 worried about your
mental position but / have won your
heart under n false title. am not
John, the valet but Herbert Mars
ton Z"
She did not eyince the slightest sur
prise, but to his utter amazement,
said, calmly:
"It Is all right then. Instead of be-
ing Maggie, the maid,' I am Lilias
Seton, at your service!"
The establishment was profound on
both sides. The masqueraders were
In due time married-and, let us
trust, happy.