Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-10-06
already turned to other things. He

as an evidence of the bargain. It is
ute customary, / believe to do so"
The housekeeper's hand had closed
pm the fifty dollars that he gave her, and
the words she would have said were left
unuttered. She moved to the door.
He opened it for her courteously.
"Good morning, madam. )"
"Good morning." she replied.
81 cannot starve. / must go. 1 can
keep up nay disguise" she murmured.
Mr.. Dayton, accompanied by friend,
arrived at his country house the middle
of the ensuing week. Everything
within and without the house was in
perfect order. If the new housekeeper
had made few mistakes at first, they
were seon recti6ed. Every room that
she had touched showed a magical
change.
Her predecessor had been one of the
kind who believed in the sunlight never
entering a room for fear of fading the
carpets.
Mr.. Dayton felt the change without
knowing the reason Of it. He looked
around him with satisfied air.
1t was not possible to find fault with
the variety and quality of the food
placed before them, nor the manner of
its being served; and the table appoint
ments were perfect; and Dayton con-
graduated himself upon having such a
jewel of housewife.
Two weeks past and holiday came.
Mr.. Dayton had gone to town the day
previous to remain the rest of the
week. The housekeeper had given per
mission to the servants to go also. She
felt welcome relief to have the house
and the day to herself. She locked the
doors carefully after the last servant.
She would have no dinner. Only
lunch. She had almost forgotten her
real character in that which she as
sumed; but to-day she could be her
self without fear of intrusion or dis
covery.
She laid aside her cap and gray
dresses, washed the stain from her
skin. and arranged her luxurious hair
in becoming curls, ana donned pretty,
fresh muslin, which fitted we'll the
slight, graceful figure. This done.
she entered the parlor and stood before
the mirror, as attractive figure as one
would often see.
Truly, I have forgotten my own
looks I am Kate Franklin, after
all" she said.
Removed from her long restraint, hel
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishness.
Miss Franklin" she said in the
o4f &ol ~ 10
st would be an inexpressible pleasure
to hear the music of that long silent
voice.
cit would he great pity to deprive
you of it them" she answered, IN hel
natural voice, land myself also," she
added. and going to the piano she open
ed it and played few pieces with ex
quisite taste and skill, and then she
sang song after song, in sweet, clear,
cultivated voice. She chose first the
brilliant and triumphant, then the sad
and plaintive succeeded. There were
tears in her eyes when she rose. But
to-day her moods were capricious.
''Mrs. Franklin, who is playing or
the piano ?" she asked, in an excellent
imitation of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
g It is only I, sir, busting the keys
They need busting so often" she re-
piled, in Mrs. Franklin's meager tones
and she busted them vigorously with
her pocket handkerchief.
'sAh, me-" she said. 'sNow what
other foolish thing shall do TO prove te
myself that am not an elderly house
keeper, but young girl, who, by viz
tue of her age, should be gay, by righ
of birth, wealthy and of consideration
visited and visiting, as, Mr.. Dayton's
lady visits and is visited He is noble
good, and handsome" she said with {
sigh. ''She will be happy. How grace
fully she danced here at the party the
other evening, when the old house
keeper was permitted to look on. She
looks good and amiable, too. MIR. Day
ton danced with her three times.
wonder if [ have forgotten how tx
dancer" and humming an air, she
foated gracefully about the room.
She stopped breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair disarranged.
ST believe I feel like stiff, old Mrs
Franklin, with whom dancing doesn'
agree"
"One more song by that heavenl,
voice, Miss Franklin, and I shall g
away dreaming 1 have heard angel
sing" In the ludicrously affected voice
she had before initiated.
sAn," she laughed, yet half sadly
ssthe compliments poor old house
keeper Franklin receives, [ hope won
quite spoil her, and turn her silly OLE
head"
She sat down again at the piano, ant
sang "Home Sweet Home," and the1
Eplayed one of Beethoven's grandest
most solemn pieces.
She rose and closed the piano.
'.The carnival is ended. Kate dis
appears from the scene, and MADAM
Franklin enters"
Neither Mr.. Dayton nor the servant
would have suspected, from the digni
fed department of the housekeepe
when they returned at evening, Of wha
strange freuks she had been guilty
/ The ho11sekeeDer AS usual when Mr.