Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-07-30

highest respectabilty, need apply. Call
between the hours of three and four, Thurs
day, April sixth, at No. --- Michigan
Avenue"
Kate Franklin read this in the paper
which lay on the counter in the little gro
Gerry while waiting 10 have an ounce or two |
of tea done up, and n roll of bakers bread.
She repeated the number of the house |
over to herself, as she received the change
from the grocer.
She prepared the tea after she returned
to the little bare attic, and ate her scanty
meal mechanically. She forgot how I'M
satisfied her appetite still was, in her busy
thought.
A stranger in a strange place, successive
ly she had tried to find situation as teach
er, copyist, in a store, and sewing. She
had failed in the first three, and was starv-
ing on the last.
She would apply for the place, but she
would need references. Only one person
she knew in the whole great city, of suffi-
cent nflueDce-Mrs. Davenport, the rich,
naughty step-sister who had ill-treated her
gentle mother while she lived, aud had
hated Kate herself.
Perhaps, Kate thought, she would per-
nit her to refer TO her, because glad to
| have her descend TO menial employment.
Kate was competent for the situation, for
during her mothers long illness, and dur
ing her fathers absence, she had entire
charge of their large family and splendid
| house.
But an "ederiy woman" Now Kate
was not an elderly woman, being only
| twenty; but she remembered with sort
| of pleasure, that in private theatricals in
happier days, she had initiated the voice,
and assumed the character of an old wo-
man with great success. She knew how TO
stain the skin 10 give an old and wrinkled
appearance, and she had, in the bottom ola
box, some false gray hair and muslin
cap worn on ono of these occasions. She
did not need TO look so very Old-only TO
present mature and matronly appear
ance.
Mr.. Edward Dayton waited at home af-
ter his dinner TO see the respondents TO his
advertisement. He was handsome man,
not yet thirty, with gay, frank, good-na-
tured countenance.
lie leaned back in a nonchalant way,
with his feet on another chair.
"There ought 10 be a Mrs. Dayton 10
manage these housekeeping matters. Well,
there's time enough.
Two applicants were seen and dismissed
in Mr.. Dayton's gentlemanly way.
| A third was ushered in. Mr.. Daton in
stinctively laid aside his cigar, and placed
a chair for his visitor.
The lady-likeness and propriety of her
all T.r
tunes" lie commented TO himself.
She answered his questions readily, but
in few words.
"A silent woman-a good thing" was
his inward remark.
~ think you will suit me, Mrs. -,
what may understand your nameT'
| "Franklin."
"Mrs. Franklin, you will be required TO
go out of town, about seven miles, TO my
country house, Oak Grove-in the town of
Embury, on the Grand Central Railroad.
The salary propose to pay is six hundred
dollars per annum. Do my terms suit
your"
She answered quietly, that they did.
"Then it is all settled. By the way,
suppose you have references, though that
is a mere matter of FORM"
The name of Davenport was given.
Davenport Robert DavenponH know
them. All right. Irconvenient you will
please so tomorrow, Mis-. Franklin, or
the next day. shall not come Till the
middle OF next week, and probably bring
a friend or two with me. Have the cham
bcrs in the centre and wings prepared, II
you please. The housekeeper there now
will not leave until Saturday. She will
show you round"
els Mrs. - is your wife there, or TO so
soon1"
He laughed.
'Mrs. Edward Dayton? 10, she is not
there, and do not know of her going at
present." Adding more seriously, ~ have
not the pleasure, Mrs. Franklin, Of having
a wife," with slight stress on pleasure"
A vivid color came into the brown cheek
of the housekeeper, and her manner show
ed evident embarrassment.
"I thought believe--I cannot" and
stopped.
He did not notice ii. His mind had al
ready turned TO other things. He rose.
"Irs all settled, believe. BY the way"
his eye falling on the rusty black dress,
"you may like an advance as an evidence
of the bargain. 1t is quite customary, be-
lieve, to do So"
The housekeepeer's hand closed on the
fifteen dollars that he gave her; and the
words she would have said were left un-
uttered. She moved to The door. lie open
ed it for her courteously.
"Good morning, madam"
"Good morning." she replied.
"I cannot starye. l must CO. can keep
up my Disguise" she murmured.
Mr.. Dayton accompanied by friend, ar
rived at his country house the middle OF
the ensuing week. Everything withiVand
without the house was in perfect order. If
the new housekeeper had made few mis-
takes at first, they were soon rectiied.
Every room that she had touched showed
a magical change.
Her predecessor had been one OF the
kind who believed 10 the sunlight never
entering room for fear of fading the car
/ pets.
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
A variety and quality of the food placed be-
, fore them, nor the manner of its being
served and the table appointments were
perfect and Dayton congratulated himself
! upon having secured such jewel Of a
housekeeper.
I | mi holi