Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-04-17

| aOhoShOSROA
except when asked q question. = At
length Mr.. Dayton looked up at her,
and said abruptly:
"Yours must be a lonely life, madam.
If not painful subject, may ask how
long since you lost your husband?
Two hands suspended their employ
ment. two eyes looked up at him with
an alarmed expression. In his serious
and sympathetic countenance there was
nothing to frighten or embarrass, but
the red grew deeper in her brown
cheek. y,
"It is painful subject" she said at
last, falteringly. "If You will please
excuse me-" 'ss
One morning he was speaking of the
great loss to children in being deprived
of their parents. .
81 never knew mother" he said.
She died before my earliest recollec-
ton. believe, that man as I am, If ]
had mother, I should go to her with
all my griefs, as little child would. I
have sometimes thought of asking you
to act as mother in the quiet evenings,
when have longed to confde in some
one. My mother would have been
about your age, I think"
Again their was o vivid color in the
cheek of the housekeeper, such as is
rarely seen in the aged, but it was ac-
companied by quiver of the mouth,
and ended in a cough, both mouth and
cheek were quickly covered with hand
kerchief, and quite aviolent fitof cough
| ing succeeded. 3a
Mr.. Dayton, however, did not seem
to notice, though he had given her one
curious glance, instantly withdrawn, and
he continued:
4 "For instance, respecting matrimo-
ny, whose advice is of SO much value as
a mothers? Who so quick to see
through character, and make good
selection? :? Had you son, whom about
here would you select for daughter
in-law?"
ct am not acquainted with any Of
the young ladies', Mr.. Dayton" she an
swered family, after pause, during
which he seemed to wait for an answer.
"True, but you have seen them all,
and are, should Judge, good dis
cerner of character, from observation.
Whom would you select from those you
have seen p he persisted.
She Redeemed and paled.
"I have heard the Misses Grandson
highly spoken of. Their appearance
would seem to prove the truth. /
doubt not you agree with me" she re-
turned, quietly.
It was now his turn to color, which
he did, slightly.
"I do agree with you," he answered
emphatically.
It was late in September. Mr. Day
ton and the housekeeper were both in
the parlor. He had been unusually
grave sll day H.seemed to the house
keeper his manner was changed toward
her. t........
ct have few questions to ask, If
you will permit me, Mrs. Franklin"
She felt instantly alarmed at his
tone. E.t
Certainly" with an effort.
There was an omnious pause.
CT have been told" he said, :" that
Miss Kate franklin, young girl, by
Disgusting herself, palmed herself of
upon me for several months as an elder
ly lady. "Its there any truth in the
storyF looking searchingly at her"
| She started to her feet. then trem-
bling sank back into chair.
"Yes, it is true,' she murmured
falteringly. + t
"I confess fail to see for what OBJ.
ject. My heart you could scarcely ex-
pect to gain in that character"
.Your hearth she replied scorn-
fully. @ Z M 's.,.
"I had no such laudable ambition, I
had never seen or heard of you till /
saw your advertisement. Would you
/ like to know for what reason / took
upon me a disguise SO repugnants You
shall. To save myself from starvation.
I had eaten but one meal day for q
week when / applied to you, and suf-
fering, with hunger then. My money
was all gone, except few pennies. with
/ which to buy roll of bread for the
next days meal, and had no pros
! poets of more, for I had been refused
further sewing. But why should you
find fault?" her pride rising. What
matter if were Miss or Mrs. Franklin,
old or young, if I fulfilled the duties /
undertook Have ] not made you
comfortabie2 II I have not, deduct
from this quarters salary, which you
paid this morning, whatever You Ike"
ct have no fault to find, except for
placing yourself and me in an awkward
| position, were this to become known"
/ Waves Of color mounted to the poor
hOusekeeper's temples.
| 81 thought, meant, that no one
should know, least Of all, you--besides
II thought you were married. Oh,
what shall 7 do?" And she burst into
tears. 5s9wftieI 9sii tsaa hg3iat
Mr.. Dayton's manner changed.
/ 8" Kate! Kate! I did not mean to
Distress YOU Nobody knows but mo
nobody shall know" And be so0thedIl