The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-03-11

Mr.. Dayton, accompanied by friend,
arrived at his country house the middle
of the ensuing week. Everything with
in and about the house was IN perfect
order. IF the new housekeeper had
made few mistakes at first, they were
soon rectifed. Every room that she
had touched showed a magical change.
Her predecessor had been one OF the
kind who believed in the sunlight never
entering a room for fear OF fading the
carpet.
Mr.. Dayton felt the change without
knowing the reason of 1t. He looked
around him with satisfied air.
It was not possible to find fault with
the variety and quality of the food
placed before them, nor the manner OF
it's being served; and the table appoint
ments were perfect; and Dayton con-
graduated himself upon having secured
such jewel of housekeeper.
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 go also.
She felt welcome relief to have the
house and the day to herself. She lock-
ed the doors carefully after the last ser
want, She would make the most OF her
day. She would have no dinner, only a
lunch. She had almost forgotten her
real character in that which she had as
sumed; but to-day she could 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 donned party, fresh muslin,
which fitted well the slight, graceful
figure. This done, she entered the par
lor and stood before the mirror, as at
tractive a figure as one would often see.
"Truly, [ have forgotten my own
looks I am Kate Franklin, after all -
she laughed.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishness.
''Miss Franklin" she said, in the
mincing, affected tones of an exquisite,
cit would be inexpressible pleasure to
hear the music of that long silent voice. :"
sit would be great pity to deprive
you of it then," she answered, in her
natural voice, '.and myself, ALSO" she
added; and going to the piano she open
ed it and played few pieces with ex-
quisite taste and skill, and then she sang
song after song, in Ia sweet, clear, cul-
tivated 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 lmlta-
ton of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
s'It is only I, sir, dustlng the keys.
They need busting so often,' she re-
Piled, in Mrs. Franklin's mature tones;
and she busted them vigorously with
her pocket-handkerchief.
'tAh, me- she said "Now what OH
er foolish thing shall L do to prove to
myself that am not an elderly house
keeper, but young girl, who, by virtue
of her age, should be gay, by right of
birth, wealthy, and OF consideration,
visited and visiting, as Mr.. Dayton's
lady visits and is visited. He is noble,
and handsome" she said, with a sigh.
''She will be happy. How gracefully
she danced here at the party the other
evening, when the old housekeeper was
permitted to look on. She looks good
and amiable, too. Nh. Dayton danced
with her three times. 1 wonder if I
have forgotten how to dance % and hum
ming an air, she foated gracefully
about the room.
She stopped, breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair disarranged.
81 believe [ like stiff, old Mrs Frank
lin, with whom dancing dosen't agree. F"
Zone more song by that heavenly
voice, Miss Franklin, and I shall go
away dreaming I have heard angels
slng,'' in the ludicrously affected voice
she had before initiated.
"Ah," she laughed, yet half sadly,
'sthe compliments poor old housekeeper
Franklin receives, I hope won't quite
spoil her, and turn her silly old head y
She sat down again at the piano, and
sang Home, Sweet Home;'' then play
one of Beethoven's grandest, mos
solemn pieces.