The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-05-08

deed the housekeeper seldom spoke except
when asked a question, AT length Mr..
Dayton looked up at her, and said abruptly {:
Yours must be lonely life, madam.
If il is not painful subject. may ask
how long since you lost your husband? ?
Two hands suspended their employment,
two eyes looked up at him with an alarm.
ed expression. In his serious, sympathetic
countenancc there was nothing to frighten
or embarrass, but the red grew deeper in
her brown cheeks
II is a painful subject, she said, at last,
falteringly. II yOu will please excuse me-
One morning he was speaking Of the
great loss to children Of being deprived Of
their parents.
never knew mother, he said. She
died before my earliest recollection. l
believe that, man as | am, if | had moth
or | should go to her with all my griefs,
as 3 little child would. l have sometimes
thought Of asking you to act as a mother
in the quiet evenings when | have longcd
to confide in some one. Ny mother would
have been about your age, Ishould think.
Again there was vivid color in the
cheek Of the housskeeper, such as Is rarely
seen in the aged, but il was accompanied
by quiver Of the mouth, and ended in a
cough, but both mouth and cheek we're
quickly covered with handkerchief, and
quite violent ct of coughing succeeded
Mr.. Dayton, however, did not seem to
notice, though he had given her one curl
GUS glance, instantly Withdrawn, aud he
continued
For instance, respecting matrimony
whose advice is Of so much value as q
mothers? Who SO quick to SEQ through
characters, and make good selection ?
Had you a son, whom about here would
you select for daughter in-law, Mn.
Franklin?
am not acquainted with any of the
young ladies', 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.
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
II was now his turn TO color, which he
did, slightly.
do not agree with you, he answered
emPhatically.
II was late in September, Mr.. Dayton
and the housekeeper were both in the par
lor. He had been unusually grave all day.
Il seemed to the housekeeper that his man
ner was changed towards her.
have few questions to ask, If you
will permit me.
Certainly, she replied with an effort.
There was an ominous pause.
have been told, he said, that Miss
Kate franklin. young girl, by Disgusting
herself, palmed herself of upon me for
several months as an elderly lady. Is
there any truth in the story? looking
searchingly at her.
She started to her feet, then tremblingly
sank back into chair. Yes, il is true,
she murmured falteringly.
confess / fail to sec for what object.
Ny heart you scarcely expect to gain in
that character.
Your heart she repeated, scornfslly.
| 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 Itook upon me disguise
so repugnant? You shall. To save my
self from starvation. l had eaten but one
meal day for week, when applied to
you, and was suffering with hunger then.
My money was all gone, except a few pen
mics, with which to buy a roll of bread for
the next days meal, and knew no pros
poets Of more, for l had been refused
further sewing. But why should you find
fault? her pride raising. What matter
if ! were Miss or Mrs. franklin, old or
young, II ! fulfilled the duties under
took2 Have ! not taken good care of
your house? Have I not made you COM
Portable ? If / have not, deduct from this
quarters salary, which you paid this morn
ing, whatever you like.
have no fault to find, except for plac-
Ing yourself and me in an awkward posi-.
tion, were this to become known.
Waves of color mounted to the poor
housekeeper's temples.
! Thought meant that no one should
know, at least--you--besides-I thought
when ! engaged to come, that you were
married. Oh, what shall l do 7 and she
then burst into passion Of tears.
Mr.. Dayton'r manner changed. ~
Kate, Katel Ibid not mean to distress
you. Nobody knows but me--nobody
shall know. And he esoothed her tenderly.
Kate look up. l love you with my whole
heart, ! want you % be my little house
kesPer-my wife always. Kate, what do
you say taking her in his arms and laying
his check against hers. My own Kate,
are you not
iif y. Ifl iILI .a4 y