Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-10-01

what may understand your nameY'
Franklin"
"Mrs. Franklin, you will be required to
go out of town, about seven miles, to my
country house, Oak Grove-in the town
of Embury, on the Grand Central Railroad
The salary l propose to pay is 5000 per
annum. Do my terms suit your"
| She answered, quietly, that they did. g
Then it is all settled. By the way, /
suppose you have references, though that
is mere matter of form"
The name of Davenport was given.
Davenport? Robert Davenport?
know them. All right. If convenient,
you will please go tomorrow, Mrs. Frank
lin, or the next day. [ shall not come till
the middle of next week, and probably
bring friend or TWO with me. Have the
chambers in the center and wings pre-
pared, if you please. The housekeeper
there now will not leave until Saturday
She will show you round"
as Mrs.-is your wife there, or to go
soon?"
He laughed.
Mrs Edward Dayton? No, she is not
there, and do not know of her going at
present" Adding, more seriously: 81
have not the pleasure, Mrs Franklin, of
having wife," with a slight stress on
"pleasure."
A vivid color came into the brown
cheek of the housekeeper, and her man.
ner showed evident embarrassment.
" [ thought believe-I cannot" and
stopped. = E9w
He did not notice it. His mind had al
ready turned'to other things. He rose.
cts all settled, believe. BY the way"
his eyes falling on the rusty black dress,
"you may like an advance, as an evidence
of the bargain. 1t is quite customary,
believe, to do So"
The housekeeper's hand closed on the
fifty dollars that he gave her, and the
words she would have said were left unut-
tered. She moved to the door. He opened
it for her, courteously.
GOOD morning, madam
GOOD morning." she replied.
&C cannot starve. / must go. can
keep up my 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 mis-
takes at first, they were soon rectifed
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 for it. He looked
around him with satisfied air.
1t was not possible to find fault with the
variety and quality OF the food placed be-
fore them, nor the manner of its being
| served and the table appointments were
perfect; and Dayton congratulated himself
upon having such a jewel of housewife.
| The weeks passed and holiday came.
Mr.. Dayton had gone to town the day pre-
| vious to remain the rest of the week. The
housekeeper had given permission to the
servants to go also. She felt a 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 assumed; but to-day she could be her.
self without fear of intrusion or discovery.
She laid aside her cap and gray dresses,
washed the stain from her skin, and az
ranged her luxurious hair in becoming
curls, and donned pretty, fresh muslin,
which fitted we'll the slight, graceful
figure. This done, she entered the parlor
and stood before the mOrror, as attractive
a figure as one wouldtnot often see.
"Truly, have forgotten my own looks |!
I am Kate Franklin, after alp she said.
Removed from her long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any foolish
ness.
"Miss Franklin" she said, in the mine
ing, affected tones of an exquisite, =" it
would be inexpressible pleasure to hear
the music of that long silent voice"
cit would be greatpitY TO deprive you
of it, then" she answered, in her natural
voice, "and myself also, she added and
going to the piano she opened it and
PLAYED a few pieces with exquisite taste
and skill, and then she sang song after
song in a sweet, clear, cultivated voice.
She chose at first the brilliant and tri-
umphant, then the sad and plaintive sue
ceeded. There were tears in her eyes
when she rose But today her moods
were capricious.
"Mrs. Franklin. who is playing on the
piano ~ she asked, in an excellent imita-
ton of Mr.. Daytons voice.
cit is only L, sir, busting the keys.
They need busting so Often" she replied,
in Mrs. Franklin's meager tones; and she
busted them vigorously with her pocket
handkerchief
"Ah, me-" she said CHOW what 9th
er foolish thing shall 1 do to prove to my
self that am not an elderly housekeeper,
but a young girl, who. by virtue OF her
age. should be gay, by right of birth
wealthy and of consideration, visited and
visiting, as Mr.. Dayton's lady visits and
is visited. He is noble, good and hand
some," she said, with sigh. " She Will
be happy. How gracefully she danced
here at the party the other evening, when
the old housekeeper was permitted to
look on. She looks good and amiable,
too. Mr.. DAYTON danced with her three
times. wonder if have forgotten how
to dance?'' and humming an air she
fiosted gracefully about the room.
She stopped breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair disarranged.
"Ibelieve feel like stiff old Mrs. Frank
lin, with whom dancing doesn't agree.'
ssOne more song by that heavenly voice,
Miss Franklin, and shall go away dream
ing have heard angels sing" in the lu-
dicrously affected voice she had before
initiated
"Ah," she laughed, yet half sadly, "the
compliments poor old housekeeper Frank
lin receives | hope won't quite spoil her,
and turn her silly old head
She sat down at the piano ana sang
"Home Sweet Home" and then prayed
one of Beethoven's grandest, most Solemn
pieces.
She rose and closed the piano.
"The carnival is ended. Kate Frank
lin disappears from the scene anu WINE.
Franklin enters"
Neither Mr.. DAYTON nor the servants
would have suspected from the placid and
dignified department of the housekeeper
| x,ho,, thorr rotI1rno6 at evening OF WldI