The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-11-19

tie child would. | have sometimes thouph
OF asking you to act as mother in the ouie
evenings, when | have longed to confde il
some one. My mother would have beei
ABOUT your age, think
Again there was vivid color in the cheel
of the hou.ekeeper, such as is rarely seen il
the aged, but it was accompanied by {
quiver in the mouth, and ended in a cough
but both mouth and check were quickl,
covered with handkerchief, and quite a
violent At Of coughing succeeded.
Mr.. Dayton, however, did not seem tc
notice, though he had given her one curiou.
glance, instantly Withdrawn, and he con.
| tinued:
FOR instance, respecting matrmony
whose advice Of so much value as a mothersg
Who 30 quick to see through character and
make good selection' Had you son, whom
ahou, here would you select for daughter
| in-lav, Mrs. Franklin?"
ii am not acquainted with any of the
young ladies, Mr. Dayton" she answered.
"lrue, 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.
81 have heard the Misses Grandson
highly spoken Of Their appearance would
seem to prove the truth. l doubt not that
you agree with me, "she replied quietly.
1t was now his turn to color, which he
did slightly.
IL do agree with you," he answered en-
phatically.
1t was late in September. Mr.. DAYTON
and his housekeeper were both in the parlor
He had been unusually grave all day. 1t
seemed to the housekeeper that his manner
was changed toward her.
81 have few questions to ask if you will
dermit me, Mrs. Franklin ?"
She felt instructive alarm at his tone.
Certainly" with an effort.
There was an ominous pause.
81 have been told" he said, "that Miss
Kate Franklin, young lady, by Disgusting
herself, palmcd off off upon me for several
months as an elderly lady. Is there anv
truth in the .tory2" looking searchingly at
her.
She started to her feet, then trembling
sank back into a chair.
eyes, 1t is true" she murmured falter-
ingly.
81 confess fail to see for what object,
My heart you could hardly expect to gain in
that character"
Your heart" she repeated, scornfully; 'T
had no such laudable ambition | had never
seen or heard of you till 1 saw your adver-
tisement. Would you like to know for what
purpose took upon me disguise so repug-
nant? You shall? To save myself from
starvation. | had eaten but one meal dav |
for week when | applied to you, and was
with hunger then. My money was
all gone, except few pennies, with which |
to buy roll of bread for the next DAVIS |
meal, and had no prospects of more, for
had been refused further sewing. But why |
should you find fault?" her pride rising
What matter if were Miss or Mrs. Frank |
lin, old oryoung if | fulfilled the duties |
undertook? Have | not taken good care of |
your house? Have | not made YOU comfort |
able? If | have not, deduct from this quar-
ters salary, which you paid this morning, |
you like?"
81 have no fault to find, except for plac-
ing yourself and me in an awkward position |
should this become known"
Waves Of color mounted to the poor
housekeepcr's temples 81 thought-Imeant, |
that no one should know, least of all, YOU
besides-l thought when / engaged to come, |
that you were married. Oh, what shall / |
do?' And she burst into a passion of
tears.
Mr.. Dayton's manner changed.
"Katel Kate | did not mean to distress |
you. Nobody knows but me-nobody shall
know" And he soothed her tenderly |
Kate, look up. | love you with my whole |
leart. | want you to be little housekeeper |
my wite-always. Kate, what do you
y?' taking her in his arms and laying his
heck against hers. "My own Kate, i. it
lot ?"
She murmured something between her
obs that she must 60 away this min
lte
Nonsense, darlingi Haven't you been
lere for mOnths2 What difference can
lay longer make. You are safe with me,
Katie. Oh, because | know you are Miss
franklin, will you give me the iner rpressible
pleasure of hearing from that long-silent
oce? Oh, Katie, you bewitched me that
ay am afraid you will bewitch me al
'ays. But, Katie, let's take off these trap
ngs," untying her cap and removing the
ray hair, and with this action down fell
he wealth of brown tresses.
"Oh, Mr., Dayton, you were not-surely
ou were not home that days' looking up,
Overed with confusion.
'Yes, Mr.. Dayton was-in the library"
18th an accent on his name which Kate un-
erstOOd.
ooh, Edward and you teased me with
Il those foolish questions when you knewl"
'Yes, my Kate, why notf"
"But you looked so innocent"
He laughed.
81 shall soon, hope, have somebody, if
ot mother, to con6de in; and, Kate, it is
~ duty and pleasure to give you a husband,
in future you can answer without so much
ain when he is inquired after.
you are too generousp
u can afford to be generous" he said,
"when | have had the precious
lit of your love. Kate, blest forever be the
ay that first engaged my housekeeper."
1t certainly seems hard to realize that the
'orship of apes, which has been common