The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-10-14
MIR. DAYTON,s HOUsEKEEpER.

WANTED-A housekeeper-No one but an
w elderly person, competent, and of the
highest responsibility need apply. Call between
the hours of 8 and4, Thursday, April G, at No.
-, Michigan avenue.
Kate Franklin read this in the paper
which lay on the counter in the little
grocery while waiting to have an ounce
or two of tea done up and a roll of bak-
er's bread.
She repeated the number of the house
overto herself as she received the change
from the grocer.
She prepared the tea after she re-
turned to the little bare attic, and ate her
scanty meal mechanically. She forgot
how unsatisfied her appetite still was in
her busy thought.
A stranger In a strange place, success
sively she had tried to find a situation
as teacher, copyist, In a store, sewing.
She had failed in the first three, and was
starving on the last.
She would apply for the place, but she
would need references. Only one person
she knew in the whole great city of suf-
ticient infiuence-Mrs. Davenport, the
rich, naughty, step-sister who had i'll
treated her gentle mother while she
lived, and hated Kate herself.
Perhaps Kate thought she would per-
nit her to refer to her, because glad to
have her descend to mental employ
ment.
Kate was competent for the situation,
for during her mothers long illness and
her fathers absence she had entire
charge of their large family and splendid
house.
"But an "elderly woman" Now
Kate was not an elderly woman, being
only 20; but she remembered, with a
sort of pleasure, that in private theatre
Gals in happier days she had initiated
the voice and assumed the character of
an old woman with great success. She
knew how to stain the skin to give an old
appearance and she had in the bottom of
a box some false gray hair and a muslin
cap worn on one of these occasions. She
did not need tolook so very old-only to
present a mature and matronly appear
ance.
Mr.. Edward Dayton waited at home
after his dinner to see the respondents
to his advertisements. He was a hand
some man, not yet 80, with a gray, frank,
g~ood-natured countenance.
He leaned back in a nonchalant way,
his feet on another chair.
"There ought to be a Mrs. Dayton to
manage these housekeeping matters.
Well, there's time enough"
Two applicants were seen and dis
missed in Mr.. Dayton's gentlemanly
way.
A third was ushered in. Mr.. Dayton
instinctively laid aside his cigar, and
placed a chair for his visitor.
The ladylkeness and propriety of her
manner pleased him at once. "Fallen
fortunes, he commented to himself.
She answered his questions readily.
but in few words.
ga silent woman-a good thing" was
his inward remark.
al think you will suit me. Mrs. -,
what may l understand your name?"
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 1 propose to pay
is $500 per annum. Do my terms suit
you2"
She answered, quietly, that they did.
"Then it is all settled. By the way 1
suppose you have references, though
that is a mere matter of form"
The name of Davenport was given.
Davenport Robert Davenport L
know them. All right. II convenient
you will please go tomorrow, Mrs.
Franklin, or the next day. I shall not
come till the middle of next week, and
probably bring a friend or two with me.
Have the chambers in the center and
wings prepared, if you please. The
h~ousekeeper there now will not leave
until Saturday. She will show you
round"
"Is Mrs.-is your wife there, or to go
soon?"
He laughed.
"Mrs. Edward Dayton? No she is not
there, and 1 do not know of her going at
present" Adding more seriously: 81
have not the pleasure, Mrs. Franklin, Of
having a wife," with a light stress on
pleasure"
A vivid color came into the brown
cheek of The housekeeper, and her man.
ner showed evident embarrassment.
az thought believe-I cannot"
and stopped.
He did not notice If. His mind had
already turned to other things. He
rose"
"It's all settled, I believe. By the
way" his eyes falling on the rusty black
dress, you may like an advance, S an
evidence of the bargain. 1t is quite GUS
tomary, l 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 I'M
uttered. She moved to the door. He
opened it for her courteously.
"Good morning, madam"
GOOD morning." she replied.
al cannot starye. 1 must go. lean
keep up my disguise" she murmured.
Mr.. Dayton, accompanied by a friend
arrived at his country house the middle