Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-10-08

daughter-in-law, Mrs. Franklin?"
81 am not acquainted with any of
the young ladies, Mr.. Dayton" she
answered.
'True, but you have seen them all,
and are, l should judge, good dis
cerner of character from observation.
Whom would you select from those
you have SEEM" he persisted.
She reddencd and Dalcd.
FI have heard the Misses Grandi-
son highly spoken of. Their appear
ance would seem to prove the truth.
I doubt not that you agree with me-
she replied quietly.
1t was now his turn to color, which
he did slightly.
81 do agree with you," he answer
ed emphatically.
1t was late in September. Mr.
Dayton aud the housclleeper were
both in the parlor. He had been un-
usually grave all day. 1t seemed to
the housekeeper that his manner was
changed toward her.
81 have few questions to ask, if
you will permit me, Mrs. Frank
linz"
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, a young lady, by
Disgusting herself, palmed herself off
on me for several months as an elder
ly lady. Is there any truth in the
story?" looking searching at her.
She started to her feet, then trem-
bling sank back into a chair.
eyes, 1t is true" she murmured
falteringly.
81 confess | fail to see for what OBJ
tject. My heart you could hardly ex-
pect to gain in that character"
"Your heart" she repeated scorn-
fully; II had no such laudablc am
bition; l had never seen or heard of
you till l saw your advertisement
Would you like to know for what
purpose l took upon me disguise so
repugnant? You shall. To save
myself from starvation. | had eaten
but one meal day tor week when
l applied to you, and was suffering
with hunger then. My money was
all gone, except a few pennies with
which to buy roll of bread for the
next days meal, and | had no pros
poets of more. for / had been refused
further sewing But why should you
find fault?" her pride rising. "What
matter if | were Miss or Mrs. Frank
lin, old or young, if | fulfilled the du-
ties | undertook? Have | not taken
good care Of your house? Have l
not made you comfortable? If |
have not, deduct from this quarters
salary, which you paid this morning,
whatever you like"
81 have no fault to find, except for
placing yourself and me in an awk-
ward position should this become
known
Waves of color mounted to the
poor housekecper's temples. 81 had
thought meant, that no one should
know, least Of all, you-besideS-l
thought when | engaged to come,
that you were married. Oh, what
shall | do?" and she burst into pas
sion of tears.
a.. h,,-tn,r., ,.I,nnfrnI
"Kate. Kate. | did not mean to
distress you Nobody knows but me
nobody shall know" And he
soothe,.. her tendcrly. "Kate, look
up. I love you with my whole heart.
l want you to be my little house
keeper-my wife - always. Kate,
what do you say" taking her in his
arms and laying her check against
his own. "AIy own Kate, is it not:"
She murmured something between
her sobs that she must go away this
minute.
"Nonsense, darling! Haven't you
been here for months? What differ
ence can day longer make? You
are safe with me, Katie. Oh, because
| know you are Miss Franklin, will
you give me the inexpressible pleas
ure Of hearing from that long silent
voice? Oh, Katie, you bewitched me
that day! l am afraid that you will
bewitch me always. But, Katie, let's
take off these trappings," untying her
cap and removing the gray hair, and
with this action down fell the wealth
of brown tresses.
"Oh, Mr.. Dayton, you were not
surely you were not at home that
day." looking up, covered with con-
fusion.
eyes, Mr.. Dayton was--in 'the IL
brary,'" with an accent on his name
which Kate understood.
"Oh, Edward! and you teased me
with all these foolish questions when
you knew"
Eyes, my Kate; why not?"
''But you looked SO innocent?"
lie laughed.
81 shall soon,I hope, have some
body, if not a mother, to confidc IN;
and, Kate, it is my duty and pleasure
to give you Il husband, so in future
you can answer without so much pain
when he is inquired after"
"lou are too generous"
81 can afford to be generous" he
said, earnestly, "when | have had the
precious gift Of your love. Kate,
blest forever be the day that | first
engaged my housekeeper.'
PhiIOsOpher.