The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-21
APARTMENTS TO LET.

LET apartments! mamma, you are
Joking"
Il am not indeed. I am in sad, sober
earnest"
But to let apartments! 1t is so de-
gradingm
"My dear, we must live, and it seems
to me that this is the best way in which
we can gain q living"
"Oh! it is horribie-horrible!.'
Il fancy starvation would be more
dreadful"
Mamma, don't say such things"
awe must face the truth, dear, and
speak Of things rs they are. Our income.
or what is left of it, is utterly insuff-
cicnt to support US, so we must increase
it. Can you suggest better way than
the one propose?'
Ada makes no response, but turns to
the window and commences idly drum
ming on the panes, an expression of angry
disgust on her pretty face.
Until lately Mrs. Chantry has been
in receipt of an ample income. But It
is the old story. Three months ago q
banL failed, and Mrs. Chantry is only
one among hundreds of sufferers. Per-
haps on the whole, indeed, her plight is
not 80 bad as many others, for small
pittance remains to her; but 1t Is pit
lance utterly inadequate for the support
of hersclfa and her daughter.
Ever since she heard of the loss of her
fortune she has been considering how
hest to augment their narrow means.
This plan upon which she has at last
decided is to her n very uncongenial
I, ,,{t fn hor
feelings on the point, being fearful OF IN
any way adding to Ada's dislike.
They live at Fairshore, a charming
little seaside resort on the south coast.
Their house is large and well furnished,
and it is no. long before the "apart-
.ments" are occupied. The first dodgers
fulfill completely Ada's doleful prognos-
tications. They are a couple of spins
ters, who have lived most of their time
in apartments, and whose experience of
lodging house keepers has bred in them
an ;neradicable spirit ofsuspicion. They
are scarcely to blame. They Judge by
the rule instead of the exception.
Hannah, who has been in Mrs. Chan
try's service for over twenty years, and
who, now that misfortuneh has overtakcn
her mistress, doggedly asserts her de-
termination Ito stay on, wages or no
wages" has many a battle royal with
the Misses Frimp.
Miss Selma Frimp having on one oc-
casion expressed conviction that the
butter has been tampered with, Han
nah's honesty is at once in arms. There
after she calls attention to every article
Of food before removing it from the ia
BILE, requesting them to put upon it their
own private mark, in order that they
may assure themselves that it will re-
main in tact till next required.
Goods left for them by the tradespeo-
pie she at once presents for their inspec-
ton, and even goes so tar as to remind
them of the advisability Of locking all
drawers, desks and other such recepta-
cles, before she sweeps and dusts their
rooms.
She is exact in the discharge of her
duties toward them, but woe betide them
if their needs exceed the stipulatiOns of
their agreement. All the attention that
was contracted for they receive, but not
one iota more.
Ada highly approves of Hannah's in
dependent proceedings. She keeps her
self entirely aloof from the ''intruders, -"
as she calls them, her sole intercourse
with them being the slightest and
haughtiest of bows when they chance
to meet on the staircase or in the hall.
The Misses Frimp do not make a very
heightened sojourn at Fairshore. After
the stay of few weeks they take their
departure. However, the vacancy is soon
filled up.
This time the dodgers are of quite ''an-
other ilk." They are young people, who
have been married about three years.
Mrs. Beauchamp is in the last stage OF
consumption. She is fair, fragile crea-
ture, with pale golden hair and pensive
blue eyes. She is somewhat older than
her husband, to whom sheis passionately
attached. He, on his part, is most at
tentive to her, studying her every wish,
anticipating her every want, and sacrl-
ficing his own desires should they inter
fere with her requirements.
They quite win Hannah's heart. She
waits upon them untiredly, and con-
cocts all sorts of dainty dishes to tempt
the invalid's delicate appetite.
"Such sweet lady she is; and as fol
him, he's the incest and handsomest
gentleman / ever set eyes on"
This is her verdict upon them.
They deeply interest Mrs. Chantry-
the poor wife, with the signs of nearly.
approaching death written unmistak'
ably on her pure, lovely face; and the
young husband, SO self-sacrifcing, SO
self-forgetful. Many excuses does she
make to 60 and sit and chat with them
and often does she propose that Mr.
Beauchamp should 60 and walk awhile
and she will keep his wife company dur
ing his absence; not often does he take
advantage of her offer. He glances a
his wife, and though her lips say Go,