Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-04-17

tAAh' Duy tOu, uCCOlphttcu UJ u lftouu,
arrived at his country house the middle
of the coming week. Everything with
in and about the house was in perfect
order. II the new housekeeper had
made few mistakes at first, they were
soon rectifed. Every room that she
had touched showed n magical change.
Her predecessor had been one of the
kind who believe in sunlight never
entering room for fear OF fading the
carpets.
Mr.. Dayton felt the change without
knowing the reason of it. He looked
around him with satisfied air.
1t was not possible to find fault with
the variety and quality of the food
placed before them, nor the manner in
which it was served; and the table ap-
pointments were perfect, and Dayton
congratulated himself upon having Sc
cured such jewel OF housekeeper.
The weeks passed, and q 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 it a welcome relief to have the
house and the day to herself. She
locked the doors carefully after the last
servant. She would make the most of
her day. She would have no dinner,
only lunch. She had almost forgot
ten her real character in that which she
had assumed; but to-day she could be
herself without fear of intrusion or dis
covery.
She laid aside her cap and gray
dresses, washed the stain from her skin,
and arranged her luxuriant hair in
becoming curls, and donned a pretty,
fresh muslin, which fitted we'll the
slight, graceful figure. This done, she
entered the parlor and stood before the
mirror, as attractive figure as one
would seldom see.
Truly, I have forgotten my own
looks! am Kate Franklin, after all. u
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 great pleasure to
hear the music of that long-silent voice.
1T 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
opened it and played few pieces with
exquisite taste and skill, and then she
sang song after song, in clear, sweet,
cultivated voice. She chose at first the
brilliant and triumphant, then the sad
and plaintive succeeded. She had
tears in her eyes when she rose. But
to-day her moods were capricious.
"Mrs. Franklin, who is playing the
piano?" she asked, in excellent imita-
t;ca of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
"It's only I, sir, dusting the keys.
They need it so often," she replied, in
Mrs. Franklin's mature tones, and she
busted them vigorously with her hand
kerchief. Cd.
"Ah, mey' she said. "Now what
other foolish thing shall / do to prove
to myself that I am not an elderly
housekeeper, but young girl, who by
virtue of her age, should be gay, by
right of birth, wealthy and of considera-
ton, visited and visiting, as Mr.. Day
tons lady visits and is visited. He is
noble, good and handsome" she said
with 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 ana amiable, too. Mr..
Dayton danced with her three times.
I wonder if / have forgotten how to
dance ?" and humming an air, she float
ed gracefully about the room.
She stopped, breathless, her cheeks
brilliant with the exercise, her splendid
hair disarranged. QA of. a.sle
ST believe I feel like stiff old Mrs.
Franklin, with whom dancing does not
agree"
One more song by that heavenly
voice, Miss franklin, and shall 60
away, dreaming how I have heard the
angels sing" in the ludicrously affected
voice she had before initiated. 3D..
cab" she laughed, yet half sadly,
"the compliments poor old housekeep-
er Franklin receives, Il hope won't spoil
her, and turn her silly old head"
She sat down at the piano, and sang.
Home Sweet Home" then played one
of Beethovcn's grandest, most solemn
pieces. a'"i Afi 4' 3
She rose, closed the piano. ..s
"The carnival is ended. Kate Frank
lin disappears from the scene and Mad
am Franklin enters" -
Neither Mr.. Dayton nor the servants
would have suspected, from the placid
and dignifed department of the house
keeper when they returned at evening,
of what strange freaks she had been
guilty. as "a, 9e 4ssf : i~ .ss
The housekeeper, as usual. when Mr..
Dayton was alone, sat at the table II
had commenced to rain violently, and
the weather had grown suddenly cold.
MIR. Dayton, as he had done occa-
sionally invited herto the library. where