Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-02

ne Clu uOI nOllce IL. his lllnu nhu
already turned to other things.
He rose.
It's all settled, 1 believe. BY the
way, "this eye falling on the rusty black
dress, "you may like an advance, as an
evidence of the bargain. 1t is quite Gus
tomary, 1 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 un-
uttered. She moved to the door. He
opened it for her courteously.
Good morning, madam"
" Good morning" she replied.
" l cannot starve l must go. L 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 about the house was in perfect order.
If the new housekeeper had made few
mistakes at first, they were soon recti-
fed Every room that she had touched
showed 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 a 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 appointments We're
perfect; and Dayton congratulated him
self upon having secured such jewel of
housekeeper.
The weeks passed, and a holiday came.
Mr.. Dayton had gone to town the day
previous, to remain the rest of the week.
The housekeeper had given permission
to the servants to go also. She felt it a
welcome relief to have the house and the
day to herself. She locked the doors
carefully after the last servant She
would make the most of her day. She
would have no dinner, only lunch. She
had almost forgotten her real character
in that which she had assumed !; but to-
day she could be herself without fear of
intrusion or discovery.
She laid aside her cap and gray
dresses, washed the stain from her skin,
and arranged her luxuriant hair in be-
coming curls, and donned a pretty, fresh
muslin, which fitted well the slight, grace
full figure. This done, she entered the
parlor and stood before the mirror, as
attractive a figure as one would often
see.
Truly, [ have forgotten my own
looks / am Kate Franklin, after all 7"
she laughed.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishness
Miss Franklin" she said, in the
mincing, affected tones of an exquisite,
I" it would be inexpressible pleasure to
hear the music of that long silent voice. "
1T would be a great pity to deprive
you Of it, then," she answered, in her
natural voice, land myself, Also" she
added and going to the piano she
opened it and played few pieces with
exquisite taste and skill, and then she
sang song after song, in sweet, clear,
cultivated voice. She chose at first the
brilliant and triumphant, then the sad
and plaintive succeeded. There We're
tears in her eyes when she rose. But
to-day her moods were capricious
81 Mrs. Franklin, who is playing on
the pianos" she asked, in an excellent
imitation of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
eft is only I, sir" dusting the keys.
They need dusting so often, )" she re-
piled, in Mrs. Franklin's mature tones
and she busted them vigorously with her
pocket-handkerchief.
"Ah, me !" she said. "Now what
other foolish thing shall I do to prove
myself that l am not an elderly house
keeper, but young girl, who, by virtue
of her age, should be gay, by right Of
birth, wealthy, and of consideration, Wis,
tied 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 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 l have
forgotten how to dance 2" and humminq
an air, she foated gracefully about the
room.
She stopped, breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair disarranged.
81 believe | feel like stiff old Mrs
Franklin, with whom dancing doesnt
agree"
"One more song by that heavenly
voice, Miss Franklin, and shall go away
dreaming have heard the angels sing,
in the ludicreusly affected voice she hat
before initiated
All" she laughed, yet half sadly
the compliments poor old house
keeper Franklin receives, l hope won
quite spoil her, and turn her silly ole
head" ."
She sat down again at the piano, anc
sang Home, Sweet Home ;" thei
played one of Beethoven's grandest
| most oc1o,,o1, .,.,aoa