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

round"
els Mrs.-is your wife there, or to go
soon2"
He laughed.
"Mrs. Edward Dayton No she is not
there, and do not know of her going at
present." Adding more seriously: u
have not the pleasure, Mrs. Franklin, OF
having wife," with light stress on
"pleasure.
A vivid color came into the brown
cheek of the housekeeper, and her man
ner showed evident embarrassment.
81 thought believe-I cannot"
and stopped.
He did not notice it, His mind had
already turned to other things. He
rose.
"It's all settled, 1 believe. BY the
way" his eyes falling on the rusty black
dress, "you may like an advance, as an
evidence of the bargain. 1t is quite GUS
tomary, L believe, TO do so.
The housekeeper' 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.
81 cannot starve. / must go. l can
keep up my disguise" she murmured.
Mr.. Dayton, accompanied by a friend
arrived Mt bis country house the middle
of the ensuing week. Everything with
in and without the house was in perfect
order If the new housekeeper had
made few mistakes at first, they were
soon rectifed. Every room that she
had touched showed a 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 appoint
ments were perfect; and Dayton con-
graduated himself upon having such a
jewel of housewife.
The weeks passed and 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 a
welcome relief TO have the day to her.
self. She locked the doors carefully
after the last servant. She would have
no dinner. Only lunch. She had almost
forgotten her real character in that which
she assumed; but to-day she could be
herself without fear of intrusion or dis
covery.
She laid aside her cap and gray
dresses, washed the stain from her skin,
and arranged her luxurious hair in be
coming curls, and donned pretty,
fresh muslin, which fitted well the slight,
graceful figure. This done, she entered
the parlor and stood before the mirror,
q. attractive a figure as one would often
see.
"Truly, I have forgotten my own
looks. / am Kate Franklin, after all, >"
she said.
Removed from her long restraint her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishness.
miss Franklin" she said III the
minclng, affected tones of an exquisite,
1T would be inexpressible p,easure to
hear the music of that long silent voice.
1T would be great pity TO deprive
YOU of it them" she answered in her
natural voice, "and myself also, she
added; and going to the piano she
opened it, and then she sang song after
song, i'll sweet, clear, cultivated voice.
She chose at first the brilliant and tri-
umphant, then the sad and plaintive
succeeded. There were tears in her eyes
when she rose. But to-day her moods
were capricious.
Mrs. Franklin, who is playing on
the piano." she asked, in excellent imi-
tation Of Mr.. DaytOn's Voice.
cit is only ], sir, busting the keys.
They need busting so often" she re-
piled in Mrs. Franklin's meagre tones;
and she busted them vigorously with her
pocket handkerchief.
"Ah, me, " she said. "Now what other
foolish thing shall / do to prove to my
self that am not an elderly housekeep-
er, but young girl, who, by virtue of
her age, should be gay, by right of birth,
wealthy and of Consideration, visited
and visiting, as Mr.. Dayton's lazy 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 eve
ming, when the old housekeeper was per-
mitted to look on. She looks good and
amiable, too. Mr.. Dayton danced with
her three times. l wonder if L have for
gotten how to dance!" and humming an
air, she foated gracefully about the
room.
She stopped breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair disalranged.
81 believe | feel like stiff, old Mrs
Franklin, with whom dancing doesn't
agree.
Zone more song by that heavenly
voice, Miss franklin, and L shall go
away dreaming / have heard angels
sing" i'll the ludicrously affected voice
she had before initiated.
"Ah," she laughed, yet half sadly,
"the compliments poor old housekeeper
Franklin receives, L hope won't quite
spoil her, and turn her silly old head. F"
She sat down again Mt the piano, and
sang "Home Sweet Home and then
played one of Bccthoven's grandcst,
most solemn pieces.