The Van Buren press., 1875-03-09


Its all settled, | believe BY the way
his eye falling on the rusty black dress,
"you NAV like an advance, as an evi
dence of the bargain. 1t is quite custo'
mary. 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 an.
uttered She moved to the door. He
opened it for her courteously
Good morning, madam"
Good morning. she replied.
Il cannot s,arye, | must go | can
keep up my Disguise she murmured.
| Mr.. Dayton. accompanied by friend,
arrived at bis country honse tie middle
of the ensuing week. Everything with
in and about the house was in perfect or
der II the new housckeepcr had made
few mistakes at first, they were soon
reetihed. 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 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 were
perfect; and Dayton congratulated him
self upon having secured such n jewel Of
Il housekecpcr
Two weeks passed and holiday came
Mr. Dayton had gone to town the day
previous, to remain the rest of the week.
The housekceper had given permission to
the servants also She felt a welcome
relief to have the house and day to her
self. 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 cosld
be herself without fear Of intrusion or
discovery.
She laid aside her cap and grey dress
es, washed the stain from her skin, and
arranged her luxurious hair in becoming
curls, and donncd pretty fresh muslin,
which fitted well the slight, graceful fig
ure. 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 =!
she laughed.
Removed from the long restraint her
spirits rebounled She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishness.
Miss Franklin" she said, in the min
cling, affected tones Of an exquisite, " it
would be inexpressble pleasure 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, land myself, also," she
added and going to the piano she open
ed it and played some pieces with exqus.
ite 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 plain
tive succeeded There were tears in her
eyes when she rose. But to day her
moods were caprioious.
:" Mrs Franklin, who is playing on the
piano p she asked, in an excellent imita
tion of Mr. Dayton's voice,
"lt is only l. sir, dustng the Keys.
They need busting so Often" she replied,
in Mrs Franklins mature 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 housekecp
er, but Il young girl, who, by virtue Of
her age, should be gay, By right of birth,
wealth and consideration, visited and Wis
iting, as Mr., Dayton's lady visits and is
visited He is noble, good and hand
some," she said, with sigh. "She will
be happy. How gracefully she danced
here the patty the other evening, when
the old housckecpcr was permitted to look
on She looks good and amiahle, too
Mr. Dayton danced with her three times
| wonder if | have forgotten how to
dance 2 and humming an air, she aoated
gracefully about the room
She stopped breath!ess. her checks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair dsarranged.
a believe | feel like stiff old Mrs
Franklin, with whom dancing doesn't
agree"
"One more song by that heavenly
voice, Miss Franklin, and shall go away
dreaming have heard angels sing in
the ludicrously affected voice she had be
fore initiated.
"Ah," she laughed, yet half sadly,
:" the compliments poor old housekeeper
Franklin receives, hope won't quite
spoil her, and turn her silly old head"
She sat down again at the piano, and
sang Home, Sweet Home :" then played
one of Beethoven's grandest, most sol
cmu pieces.
She rose and closed the piano.
"The carnival is ended. Kate Frank.
lin disappears from the scene, and Madam
Franklin enters
Neither Mr. Dayton nor the servants
would have suspected from the placid
and dignhcd department of the house
keeper, when they returned at evening, Of
what strange freaks she had been guilty.
The housekeeper, as usual, when Mr.,
DAYTON was alone, sat at the table. 1t
had commenced to rain violently, and the
weather had grown suddenly cold.
Mr. DAYTON. as he had done occasional.
ly, invited her to the library. where a
4 Ct It,. ,1,,,r Ia L.,