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

Il = =
Ing g present Adding more serious
y, 4 have notthe pleasure, Mn. Frank
I'm. cf having . WIFE, with aslight stress
On pleasure.
4 vivid color came into the brown
cheek Of the housekesper, and her man.
ner showed evident embarrassment.
4 thought--I believe-I cannot
and then she stopped.
He did mot notice Il. Hin mind had
jalready turned 10 other things.
He rose.
qvs IN sstslsd, I bslisss. Rr.xhs
way, his eye falling upon the rusty
black dress, you may like an advance,
- IN evidence Of the bargain. 1t il
quite customary, ] believe, to do So
The housekeeper's hand closed on the
fifty dollars that he gave her; and the
words she would have said were left un-
uttered. She moved to the door. He
opened it for her courteously.
Good morning, madam
Good morning, she replied.
Il cannot starve. must 90. can
keep up my disguise, she murmured.
Mr.. Dayton, accompanied by afriend,
arrived at his country house the middle
Of the ensuing week. Everything with
id and about the house was in perfect
order. If the new housekeeper had
made few mistakes at first, they were
soon recti6ed. Every room that she
had touched showed magical change.
Her predecessor had been one Of the
kind who believed in the 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 andquality of the food placed
before them, nor the manner of its be-
ing served; and the table appointments
were perfect; and Dayton congratulated
himself upon having secured sucha jew
el of q 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
. 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 q lunch
She had almost forgotten her real char
acter in that which she had assumed;
Fbut to-day she could be herself without
fear Of intrusion or discovery.
She laid aside her cap and gray dres-
ses, washed the stain from her skin,
and arranged her luxuriant hair in be.
coming curls, and donned pretty, fresh
muslin, which fitted well the slight,
graceful figure; this done she entered
the parlor and stood before the mirror,
as attractive figure a. one would often
zee.
Truly I have forgotten my own
looks! am Kate Frank lin after all !
she laughed.
Removed from the long restraint, her
spirits rebounded. She felt CAV, light
hearted, and like committing any fool
ishness.
Miss franklin she said, in the min
cling, affected tones of an exquisite, it
would be inexpressible 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 ad-
ded; and going to the piano she opened
it and played a few pieces with exquis-
lite taste and skill, and then she sang
song after song, in a sweet, clear, cul-
tivated voice. She chose at first the
brilliant and triumphant, then the sad
and complaintive succeeded. There
were tears in her eyes when she rose
But to-day her moods were capricious.
tMrs. Franklin, who is playing on the
piano ? she asked, in an excellent imi-
tation of Mr.. Dayton's voice.
Tt is only /, sir, busting the keys
They need busting SO often she repli-
ed, in Mrs. Franklin 3 mature tones; and
she busted them vigorously with her
pocket handkerchief.
All, me! she said. Now what 9TH
er foolish thing shall I do to prove my
self that am not anelderly housekeep-
er, but young girl, who, BY virtue of
her age. should be gay, by right of birth,
wealthy, and of consideration, visited
and visiting, a. Mr.. Dayton's lady WIS.,
It's and is visited. He is noble, good
and handsome she said, with a sigh.
She win 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. Mr.. Dayton danced
with her three times. / wonder if I
have forgotten how to dance 7 and hum.
ming An air, she taoated gracefully about
the room.
She stopped, breathless, her cheeks
brilliant from the exercise, her splendid
hair disarranged.
4 believe l feel like stiff old Mrs.
Franklin with whom dancing doesn't
agree
One more song BY that heavenly
voice. Miss Franklin, and shall 60
away dreaming that have heard the
angels sing in the ludicrously affected
voice she had before initiated.
All she laughed, yet half sadly,
the compliments poor old housekeeper
Franklin receives, I hope won't spoil
her. and turn her silly old head
She sat down again at the piano, and
sang Home. Sweet Home, then played
one Of DeethOven's grandest, most sol
emn pieces.
She rose, closed the piano.
The carnival is ended. Kate Frank
lin disappears from the scene, and Ma
dam Franklin enters