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

IL udu commenced 10 ram violently,
and the weather had grown suddenly
cold.
Mr.. Dayton, as he had done OCCASION
ally, invited her to the library, where a
cheerful fire burned in the CRATE. He
read the letters and the papers which he
had brought with him from town, while
she knitted.
An hour or more passed i'll silence; in
deed the housekeeper seldom spoke ex-
cept when asked question. At length
Mr.. Dayton looked up at her, and said,
abruptly:
Yours must be lonely life, madam.
If it is not painful subject, may ask
how long since you lost your husband z"
Two hands suspended their employ
ment, two eyes looked up at him with an
alarmed expression. In his serious,
sympathetic countenance there was moth
ing to frighten or embarrass, but the red
grew deeper in her brown cheek.
cit is painful subject" she said at
last, falteringly. eff you will please
excuse 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. believe that, man as am, if l
had mother, I should go to her with
all my griefs, as a little child would. /
have sometimes thought of asking you
to act as mother in the quiet evenings,
when | have longed to confide in some
one. Ny mother would have been about
your age, l think.
Again there was vivid color in the
cheek of the housekeeper, such as is
rarely seen in the aged, but it was unac-
companied by a quiver of the mouth,
and ended in cough, but both mouth
and cheek were quickly covered with a
handkerchief, and quite violent fit of
coughing succeeded.
Mr. Dayton, however, did not seem to
notice, though he had given her one Gu
rious glance, instantly withdrawn, and
he continued:
For instance, respecting matrimony,
whose advice of so much value as a moth
er's2 Who SO quick to see through
character, and make a good selection
Had you a son, whom about here would
you select for a daughter-in- law, Mrs.
Franklin 2"
'' am not acquainted with any of the
young ladies', Mr.. Dayton" she answered,
family, after pause, during which he
seemed to wait for an answer.
True, but you have seen them all,
and are, should judge, good discerner
of character, from observation. Whom
would you select from those you have
seen ?" he persisted.
She redeemed and paled.
6" I have heard the Misses Grandson
highly spoken Of Their appearance
would seem to prove the truth. / doubt
not you agree with me, she returned,
quietly.
1t was now his turn to color, which he
did, slightly.
"I do agree with you," he answered
emphatically.
1t was late in September. Mr.. Day
ton and the housekeeper were both in
the parlor He had been unusually
grave all day. 1t seemed to the house
keeper that his manner was changed to-
wards her.
4" [ 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.
L" I have been told," he said, THAT
Miss Kate Franklin, a young girl, by
Disgusting herself, palmed herself of
upon me for several months as an elder
ly lady, Is there any truth in the
story 2" looking searchingly at her.
She started to her feet, then trem-
blingly sank back into chair.
" Yes, it is true" she murmured,
falteringly.
" | confess [ fail to see for what OBJ
ject. My heart you could scarcely ex-
pect to gain in that character"
Your heart!" she repeated, scornful
ly. had no such laudable ambition
l had never seen or heard of you till ]
saw your advertisement. Would you
like to know for what purpose 1 took
upon me disguise so repugnant? You
shall. 70 save myself from starvation
L have eaten but one meal day for 6
week when I applied to you, and was
suffering with hunger then. My money
was all gone, except few pennies, with
which to buy roll of bread for the mex
days meal, and [ had no prospects o.
more, for | had been refused further
sewing. But why should you find fault p
her pride rising. "What matter if
were Miss or Mrs. Franklin, old o.
young, if / fulfilled the duties [ under
took Have / not taken good care O
your house Have / not made yol
comfortable If I have not, deduc
from this quarters salary, which yo,
paid this morning, whatever you like"
81 have no fault to find, except TO
placing yourself and me in an awkward
position, were this to become known"
Waves Of color mounted to the poo
housekeeper's temples.
| thought meant, that no on
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