The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-10-08

III III IL not painful SUBJECT, may ask
how long since you lost your husbands"
Two hands suspended their employ
ment, two eyes looked up to him with
an alarmed expression. In his serious,
sympathetic countenance there was
nothing TO brighten or embarrass, but
the red grew deeper on her brown cheek.
"It is a painful subject" she said at
last, faltering. "If you will please ex-
cuse me.
One morning he was speaking of the
great loss to children in being deprived
of their parents.
81 never knew a mother" he said.
"She died before my earliest recollec-
ton. j believe that, man as L am, if
had mother, / should &c TO her with
all my griefs, as a little child would. l
have sometimes thought of asking you
to act as mother in the quiet evenings,
when have longed to contide i'll some
one. Ny mother would have been about
your age, think.
Again there was vivid color in the
cheek of the housekeeper, such as is
rarely seen in the aged, but it was ac-
companied by a culver in the mouth,
and ended in a cough, but both mouth
and cheek were quickly covered with
handkerchief, and quite violent fit of
coughing succeeded.
Mr.. Dayton, however, did not seem TO
notice, though he had given her one
curious glance, instantly withdrawn, and
he continued:
For instance, respecting matrimony,
whose advice is of 50 much value as
mothers2 Who so quick to see through
character and make a good selectionl
Had you a son, whom about here would
You select for a daughter-in-law, Mrs.
Franklin"
"Ia am not acquainted with any of the
young ladies, Mr.. Dayton, she an
swered.
True, but you have seen them all,
and are, l should Judge, good discern
or of character from observation. Whom
would You select from those you have
seen :" he persisted.
She REDEEMED and paled.
81 have heard the Misses Grandson
highly spoken of. Their appearance
would seem to prove the truth. doubt
not that you agree with me, " she replied
quietly.
1t was now his turn to color, which he
did slightly.
q do agree with you," he answered.
emphatlcally.
1t was late in September. Mr. Dayton
and the housekeeper were both in the
parlor. He had been unusually grave
all day. 1t seemed to the housekeeper
that his manner had changed toward her
q have few questions to ask, if you
will permit me, Mrs. Franklin ?"
She felt instructive alarm at his tone.
Certainly" with an effort.
There was an ominous pause.
81 have been told" he said, "that
Miss Kate Franklin, young lady, by
Disgusting herself, palmed herself off
upon me for several months as an elder
ly lady. is there any truth in the story p
looking searchingly at her.
She started TO her feet, then trembling
sank back into chair.
Yes, it is true, she murmured, fall
teringly.
81 confess l fail to see for what object.
Ny heart You could hardly expect to gain
in that cha racter.
Your heart, she repeated, scornful-
ly, 81 had no such laudable ambition; /
had never seen or beard of you till / saw
your advertisement. Would you like to
know for what purpose / took upon me
a disguise so repugnantl You shall.
To save myself from starvation. / had
eaten but one meal day for week
when ! applied TO you, and was suffering
with hunger then. My money was all
gone, except few pennies, with which
to buy n roll of bread for the next days
meal, and i had no prospects of more,
for had been refused further sewing.
But why should you find faultl" her
pride rising. "What matter if / were
Miss or Mrs. Franklin, old or young, if
/ fulfilled the duties undertook. Have
/ not taken good care of your house
Have not made you comfortable, If
have not, deduct from this quarters sal
airy, which you paid this morning, what
ever you like"
Il have no fault to find, except for
placing yourself and me III an awkward
position should this become known"
Waves of color mounted to the poor
housekeeper's temples. 81 thought
meant, that no one should know, least of
all, you-beside, thought when / en-
StScu W Cclut, Iilit YOU MtIt llldiIltu'
Oh, what shall | DO :" and she burst into
passion of tears.
Mr.. Dayton's manner changed.
Kate Kate l did net mean to dis
tress you. Nobody knows but memo
body shall know" And he soothed her
tenderly. Kate. look up. love you
with my whole heart want You to be
my little housekeeper-myw ife--always.
Kate, what do you say" taking her in
his arms and laying his cheek against
hers. "My own Kate, is it not Z"
She murmured something between her
sobs that she must go away this minute.
Nonsense, darling Haven't you
been here for months, What difference
can day longer make. You are safe
with me, Katie. Oh, because / know
you are Miss Franklin, will you give me
the inexpressible pleasure of hearing
from that long-silent voice Oh, Katie,
you bewtched me that day lam afraid
you will bewitch me always. But, Katie,
let's take off these trappings," untying
her cap and removing her gray hair, and
with this action down fell the wealth of