Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-04-30
Apartments 70 Let.

joking"
81 am not, indeed am in sad. So
Der earnest
But to let apartments 1t is SO de-
grading y
My dear, we must live, and it
seems to me that this Is the best way
in which We can gain u living y
"Oh. it is horrible-horrlbie y
81 fancy starvation would be more
dreadful
Mamma, don't say such things ~
1--WE must face the truth, dear, and
speak of things as they are. Our in
come, or what is left OF it, is utterly in
sufficient to support us, So We must in
crease 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 window panes, an express
sion 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
o bank failed and Mrs. Chantry is only
one among hundreds of sufferers. Per-
haps Oh the whole, indeed, her plight
is not 50 bad as many others, for a
small pittance remains to her; but it is
a pittance utterly inadequate for the
support of herself and her daughter.
Ever since she heard of the loss of
her fortune she has been considering
how best to augment their narrow
means. The plan upon which she has
decided is to her very uncongenial
one. but she gives no utterance to her
feelings on the point, being fearful
of in any way adding to Ada's dislike.
They live at Fairshore. charming
little seaside resort on the south coast.
Their house is large and we'll furnished,
and it is not long before the "apart,
ments" are occupied. The first lodg-
ers fulfill completely Ada's doleful
representations. They are a couple
of splnsters, WHO have lived most of
their time in apartments, and whose
experience of lodging house keepers
has bred in them an ineradicable spirit
Of suspicion, They are scarcely to
blame. They judge by the rule in
stead Of the exception.
Hannah, who has been in Mrs.
Chantry's service for over tw0nty years,
and who, now that misfortune has over.
taken her mistress, doggedly asserts
her determination "to stay on, wages
or no wages" has many battle royal
with the Misses Frimp.
Miss Selma Frlmp having OF one &C.
casion expressed conviction that the
butter had been tempered with, Han
nahs honesty is at once in his arms.
Thereafter she calls attention to every
article Of food before removing it from
the table, requesting them to put upon
it their own private mark, in order that
they may assure them selves that it will
remain intact till next required.
Goods left for them by the trades
people she at once presents for their
inspection, and even goes 80 far as to
remind them of the ACCESSIBILITY of
locking all drawers, desks, and other
such receptacles 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
independent proceedings. She keeps
herself entirely aloof from the sim
truaers," as she calls them, her sole
intercourse with them being the slight.
est and haughtiest Of bows when they
chance to meet on the staircase or in
the hall.
The Misses Frimp do not make 6
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
"another ilk.' They are young PEG.
pie who have been married about three
years. Mrs. Beauchamp is in the last
stage of consumption. She is frail,
fragile creature, with pale golden hair
and pensive blue eyes. She is some.
what older than her husband, to whom
she is passionately attached. He, on
his part, is most attentive to her. study.
ing her every wish, anticipating her
every want, and sacrificing his own de
sires, SHOULD they interfere with hel
requirements.
They quite win Hannah's heart. She
waits upon them untiredly, and con.
cocts all sorts of dainty dishes to tempt
the inysiid's delicate appetite.
"Such a sweet lady she is; and as
for him, hes the incest an i Landsom esl
gentleman l ever set eyes on"
This is her verdict upon them.
They deeply interest Mrs. Chsntry-
the poor wife, with tie signs of nearly
approaching death written unnistaka.
bly, On her pure, lovely face; and tie
young husband, So selt-sacrldcing, SC
selt-iyrge;iul. Many exc Lses does she
make ~ 60 and 81, and cnat with them
and otien does she propose that Mr.
BeaEcAamp should So and walk awhile
ans ste will keep his wife cempauy
DUNG lis absence, not often does he
take advantage Of hex offer. De
glarccs Lila wife, and though her
lips SAY Co. Ter eyes say " STAY" -
and be 81 IS.
Ada, who Is gifted with fine. keen
perceptions, speedily divIue. = hat her
mother and Hannah fail to perceive
hamely, that there Is something lac k.