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

and stood before the mirror, as attractive a
figure as one would onen see.
"Truly, 1 have forgotten my-own looks
l am Kate Franklin, after all y laughed
she.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt gay, light
hearted, and like committing any foolish
ness.
"Miss Franklin" she said, in the mine
ing, affected tones OF an exquisite, "it
would be inexpressible pleasure TO hear
the music of that long silent voice."
at would be q great pity to deprive you
of IL them" she answered in her natural
voice, "and myself also," she added; and
going to the piano she opened il 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 paintive succeeded. There were
tears in her eyes when she rose. But To-
day her moods we're capricious.
"Mrs. franklin, who is playing on the
piano2" she asked, in excellent imta-
ton of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
at is only I, sir, busting the keys. They
need dusling so 'oflen," she replied, in Mrs.
Frankln's mature tones she busted them
vigorously with her pocket-handkerchef.
"Ah, me-" she said. "Now what other
foolish thing shall do TO prove TO myself
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 Mr.. Dayton's lady visits and is visited.
lie is noble, good 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 housekecper
was permitted to look on. She looks good
and amiable, too. Mr.. Dayton danced
with her three times. wonder if l have
forgotten how to dahce?" and humming
an air she foaied gracefully about the
room.
She stopped, breathless, her cheeks bril-
liant fr ON the exercise, her splendid hair
disarranged.
II believe | feel like stin, old Mrs.
Franklin, with whom dancing doesn't
agree"
zone more song by that heavenly voice,
Miss Franklin, and l shall go away dream
ing have heard angels sing" in the lu-
dcrously affected voice she had before i'm
itaed.
"Ah," she laughed, yet half sadly "lhe
compliments poor old housekeeper Frank
lin receives, hope went 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 solemn
pieces.
She rose and closed the piano.
The carnival is ended. Kate Franklin
disappears from the scene and Madam
franklin enters.
Neither Mr.. Dayton nor the servants
would have suspected, from the placid aud
| dignifed department of the housekeeper
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 occasionally
invited her to the library, where cheerful
fire burned in the crate. He read the let
tels and the papers which he had brougLl
with him from town, while she knitted.
An hour or more passed in silence in.
deed, the housekeepcr seldom spoke ex'
ccpt when asked a question. At length
Mr.. Dayton looked up at her, and said
abruptly
yours must be a lonely life, Madam
| If il is not painful subject, may l ask
how long since you lost your husband?
Two hands suspended their employment
two eyes looked up at him with an alarm
ed expression. In his serious, sympathet
ic countenance there was nothing TO fright.
en- or embarrass, but the red grew deeper
on her brown cheek.
at is a painful subject" she said at last,
faltering. "II you will please excuse me. "
One morning he was speaking of th'
| great loss TO ch ldren in being deprived o
their parents.
~ never knew mother" he said. "Sh'
died before my earliest recollection. / be
lieve that, man as 1 am, if had mother
should go 10 her with all my grief, as ;
little child would. l have sometime
thought Of asking you 10 act as mother il
the quiet evenings when l have longed Il
confide in some one. My mother woul(
have been about your age, think"
Again there was vivid color in thu
cheeks of the housekeeper, such as is rare
ly seen in the aged, but it was accom-
panied by quiver of The mouth, and end
ed in a cough, but both mouth anG cheel
were quickly covered with handker
chief, and quite violent tit of coughing
succeeded.
Mr.. Dayton, however, did not seem t
notice though he had given her one curiou
glance, instantly withdrawn, and he con
tinued:
"For instance, respecting matrimony
whose advice OF so much value as a moth
er's. Who so quick to see through charac
ter, and make good selectionH Had yo
a son, whom about here would you seleC
for daughter law, Mrs. FranklinV
~ am not acquainted with any of th
young ladies, Mr.. Dayton" she answered
family after a pause, during which b
seemed to wait for an answer.
"True, but you have seen them all, an
are, should judge, good discerner @
character from observation. Whom woul
you select from those you have seenH' h
persisted.
Il have heard the Misses Grandiso
highly spoken of. Their appearance woul
seem to prove the truth. doubt not thi
you agree with me-" she returned quietl.
1t was now his turn TO color, which
did, slightly.
UI do notee with Won" he ausW cred EN-