Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-11-04

SIS Mrs-is your wife there, or to
60 soon?"
| He laughed.
s.Mrs. Edward Dayton! No, she is
not there, and I do not know of her
going at present" Adding, more
seriously: 81 have not the pleasure,
Mrs. Franklin, Of having wife" with
a slight stress on pleasure
A vivid color came into the brown
cheek of the housekeeper, and her
manner showing evident cmbarrass
ment.
81 thought belieye-I cannot"
and stopped.
He did not notice 1t. His mind
had already turned to other things.
He rose.
otis all settled, l 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 customary, I 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 unuttered. She moved to the
door. He opened it for her, courteous
ly.
'Good morning, madam"
"Good morning, she replied.
81 cannot starve. 1 must 80. /
can keep up disguise" she murmured.
"Mr. Dayton, accompanied by
friend, arrived at his county house the
middle OF the ensuing week. Every
thing within and without the house
was in perfect order. If the new
house~keeper had made few mistakes
at first, they were soon rectifed. Every
room that she had touched showed
magical change.
"H%r pred, cessor had been one of
the kind who believed in the sunlight
never entering room for fear of fad
ing the carpets.
Mr.. Dayton felt the change without
knowing the reason for it. He looked
around him with satisfied air.
1t was not possible to find fault with
the variety and quality of the food set
before them, nor the manner of its
being served, and the table appoint
ments were perfect; aud Dayton cona
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 60 also.
She felt welcome relief to have the
house and the day to herself She
locked the doors carefully after the last
servant. She would have no dinner.
Only lunch. She had almost forgot.
ten her real character in that which sh.
assumed but to-day she could be her
self without fear of intrusion or dis
covery.
She laid aside her cap and gray
tlesses, washed the stain from her skin,
and arranged her luxurious hair in be-
coming curls, and donned pretty,
fresh muslin, which fitted well the
light, graceful figure. This done, she
entered the parlor and stood before the
mirror, as attractive a figure as one
would not often see.
"Truly, have forgotten my old
looks! am Kate Franklin, after all
she said.
Removed from her long restraint,
her spirits rebounded. She felt gay,
light>hearted, aud like committing any
foolishness.
"Nliss Franklin" she said, in the
mincing tones of an exquisite, cit
would be inexpressible pleasure to
hear the music of that long silent
voice."
at would be great pity to deprive
you of it, them" she answered, in her
natural voice, sand myself ALSO" she
added; and going to the piano sbe
opened it and played few pieces with
exquisite 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 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 an excellent
imitation of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
at is only me, 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
that am not an elderly housekeeper,
but young girl, who, by virtue of her
age, should be gay; by right Of birth
wealthy and Of consideration, visited
and visiting, as Mrs. Dayton's lady
visits and is visited. He is noble,
oood and handsome" she said. with