Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-06-10

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in front of it, and then futtered into his
face. 1t was bit of soft, costly, delicate
lace. cit belongs to her work." he
thought; wonder if she saw where it
came?" He looked across to her window.
Her head was turned in his direction.
He held up the lace of which there was
about half yard.
She nodded with smile that showed
her pretty teeth. Wonder if they are
her own" he thought. He saw her get
up and put Oh her hat and shawl. "She
is coming" he thought. "Ihis is too
valuable to lose." Before long he heard
the bell ring, and the girl came up to tell
him that lady at the door wanted some
thing, she could not tell what. She
understood her to say something about
piece of lace.
"Show her up" he said, and in few
moments the lady he had so much de-
sired to see closer stood in the room.
She had bright, good-natured, practi-
cal face; just the face he should suppose
would be associated with her movements.
She was past her first youth, was
probably thirty-fve. He politely asked
her to be seated.
81 called for my lace, which the wind
was ill-natured enough to carry of, she
said, with frank smile.
(Which am happy to return to you,"
he said, as he passed it to her.
=" 1t is small piece" she said, but
it is quite expensive. 1t belongs to an
other person, and if l lost it I should
have to replace it.
She made movement to go.
"Please do not hurry" he said, "you
see | am an invalid, and your coming in
is a break in the monotony."
She glanced at the crut,hes and at
him sympathizingly.
81 have been watching you sewing
every day." he went on. "Don't you
get tired of it,
eyes, sometimes; but everything
grows tiresome after while"
"Wouldnt you like better to be
housekeeper ?" he said abruptly
She looked at him in surprise and half
suspicion, and he FASTENED to explain
the situation in which he was placed
81 want some one neat and capable to
take charge of my house," he flashed;
"won't you accept the situation?"
"Why do you suspect l am neat and
capable" she asked, good deal sur
prised at the, to her, premature proposal
Il don't know, only that l have been
watching your movements for weeks, he
told her, "and L believe you would be
the right one in the right place, if you
would only accept the situation. You
can have a girl, and unlimited control
over the house. You can ascertain my
standing by inquiry at the firm of Bent
& Knight. Will you Gomez"
"Don't you want recommendation
she asked with a smile.
"No; your face and manner are re-
commentator enough"
" | have no one to consult but myself.
l viii come"
Glow soon ?" he asked while his face
lighted up with a smile of relief
Inlet me see--this is Thursday. l
will come on Monday"
Every well. We will try to exist I'M
til then. l feel sure you will make a
change in this house" He had seen her
quick eye taking in the general disorder,
the Uttered carpet, table strewn with
odds and ends of almost everything.
Just then poor, neglected little Mabel
pushed open the door, singing little
song she had heard in her childish fash
ion. She was sunny tempered little
creature. The lady glanced at her
quickly.
"This is your little girl you spoke of, "
she said; "come here and let me see
you"
The child stepped to her timidly.
"She is suffering for care, he said,
thankful, however, that he had given or
ders to have her face washed "Does
she look altogether hopeless?"
"Not at all, " the lady returned. in her
practical, pleasant way, as she patted the
curly head. 81 think she is a nice lit
tie girl
"By what name shall I call you?" he
asked, as she arose to go.
Mrs. Iddings. And yours is Add
son" she said. 81 got my Informal
ton from the doorplate," she added.
Mrs. Iddings, he unused, when she
had left; "a widow, l suppose, but with
that face not a designing one"
The next week the reign of Mrs. Id
dings as housekeeper commenced. The
slipshod girl was dismissed, and from
some quarter unknown to Mr.. Addison,
neat, active girl was procured. Then
the whole house underwent thorough
renovation. Such cleaning of paint, and
sweeping, and busting, and polishing.
Mrs. Iddings took the lead; she was not
afraid to work, evidently, and her help
seconded ably. Mabel was taken in
band, and came out prim, under the
hands of Mrs. Iddings, pretty, clearly
child, as sweet in face and tasteful in
( lreSS os sbp was in tnrOner and whom