Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-03-18

would have suspected, from the placid
and dignined department of the house.
keeper when they returned Ut evening,
Of what strange freaks she had been
guilty.
The housekeeper, a. usual, when Mr..
Dayton was alone, at at the table
II had commenced to rain violently, and
the weather had grown suddenly cold.
Mr.. Dayton, - he had done OCCASION
ally, invited her to the library, where .
cheerful ere burned in the CRATE. He
read the letters, and the paPes which
he haa breught-1ith hin from torn.
while she knitted.
An hour or more passed in silence;
indeed the housekeeper seldom spoke
except when asked . question. At
length Mr.. Dayton looked upat her, and
said, abruptly:
Yours must be lonely life, madam.
If it not a painful subject, may ask
how long since you lost your husband?'
Two hands suspended their employ
ment, two eyes looked up at him with
an alarmed expression. In the serious
sympathetic countenance there was
nothing to frighten or embarrass, but
the red grew deeper in her brown cheek.
1t is q painful subject she said at
last, fslteringly. If you viii please ex-
cuse me-
One morning he was speaking of the
great loss to children in being deprived
Of their parents.
4 meter knew . mother he said
She died before my earliest recollection.
I believe that, man as am, if I had
mother, I should 60 to her with al my
griefs, as a child would. I have some
times thought of asking you to act as
mother in the quiet evenings, when I
have longed to confde in some one
Ny mother would have been about your
age, think
Again there was . vivid color in the
cheek of the housekeepcr, such a. is
rarely seen in the aged, but it was un.
accompanied BY q culver of the mouth,
and ended in q cough, but both mouth
and cheek were quickly covered with q
handkerchief, and quite . violent fit of
coughing succeeded.
Mr.. Dayton, however, did not seem
to notice, though he had given her one
curious glance, instantly withdrawn,
and continued:
For instance, respecting matrimony,
whose advice is of SO much value q
mothers? Who SO quick to see through
character, and make good selection ?
Had you son, whom about here would
you select for daughter-in-law, Mrs.
Franklin
I am not acquainted with any of the
young ladies, Mr.. Dayton she answer
ed family, after pause, during which
he seemed to await an answer.
True but You have seen them all, and
are, I should judge, good discerner of
character, from observation. Whom
would you select from those you have
seen z he persisted.
She Redeemed and paled.
4 have heard the Misses Grandson
highly spoken Of. Their appearance
would seem to prove the truth. doubt
not you agree with me- she returned,
quietly.
1t was now his turn to color, which
he did, slightly.
Il do agree with you, he answered
1t was late in September. Mr.. Day.
ton and the housekeeper were both in
the parlor. He had been unusually
grave all day. 1t seemed to the house,
keeper that his manner was changed to-
wards her.
i have few questions to ask, fyou
will permit me, Mrs. Franklin
She felt instructive alarm at his tone.
Certainly with an effort.
There was an omnibus pause.
4 have been toldj he said, that Miss
Kate Franklin, q young girl, by dis
guising herself, palmed herself of upon
me for several months as an elderly
lady. Is there any truth in the story
looking searchingly at her.
She started to her feet, then trem-
blingly back into q chair.
Yes, it is true, she murmured, fal.
teringly.
Il confess I fail to see for what object.
Ny heart you could scarcely expect to
gain in that character
your heart T she repeated, scornful-
ly. i had no such laudable ambition;
l had never seen or heard Of you till
saw your advertisement. Would you
like to know for what purpose I took
upon me disguise 10 repugnant? You
shall. To save myself from starvation. |
/ had eaten but one meal day for Q |
week when / applied to you, and was
suffering with hunger then. Ny money
was all gone, except a few pennies, with |
which to buy a roll of bread for the
next days meal, aud had no prospects |
of more, for / had been refused further |
sewing. But why should you find faults'
her pride rising. what matter if /
were Miss or Mrs. Franklin, old or
young, If / fulfilled the duties under
took? Have I not taken good care Of
your house? Have I not made you
If have not, deduct
from this quarters salary, which you
paid this morning, whatever you like
I have no fault to find, except for
placing yourself and me in an awkward
position, were this to become known
Waves of color mounted to the poor
temples.
4 thought meant, I meant, that
no one should know, least of all you
besides II thought when / engaged
TO come, that you were married. Oh,
what shallI do:' And she burst into a I
passion Of tears.
Mr.. Dayton's manner changed.
kate Kate did not mean 70 dis
tress you. Nobody knows but He-I