Litchfield enquirer., 1881-03-31

l prevent It. 10 IolloWln BetSy'S footsteps, to
 live in the light of her couhtenance, to sit close beside her in the evenings. this seemed to be all the ambition and desire of Mr. Storm
 He was her echo, as well as her shadow; let
 her say what she would, on any subject, he agreed with her, and repeated her words in full or in part. The amusing thing was, that he seemed to think her still in her youth she
 was to him just as he first saw her, trim, pretty-faced girl, of quick parts and taking manners. No, child,' yes, child, he would say to her even now. Perhaps years in his own imagination, had stood still with him, and he was still the smart steward of Sir An thony, with an elastic tread and flower in his button, hole; though he was indeed ten years at least older than Betsy. ..a-,. ..
 The other servants need not be mentioned. The butler, Miles, was staid and elderly my , lady's maid, Pheby, had seen nearly fifty years; the c0ek, Rebecca, took vast deal upon herself in the way of domineering, and 1 In trying to keep the younger servants in sub l jectiOn. Rebecea was the only one of the household who ever ventured to contradict my lady; she did not seem to stand in fear of her.
 Things were well-ordered in the house i: that's certain; could tell from having heen before in an ill ordered one. This was partly owing to my lady's exacting ways partly to l Rebecca's activity of body and tongue. Dur ing my lady's absence, rules and discipline were relaxed; but no sooner did the post give | notice of her return than things were called to order And quickly, 600; for it often hap | pened that the letter arrived arrived one day. and my lady and Sir Austin the next Then would be hustle. Every servant was brought up sharply to his and her duty and made to feel they must do it. It was an anxious, not to say solemn time; there was no laughing or i playing over the work: the maids could not chase each other with brooms or talk to the | gardners from some upper window, flirting a duster coquettishly in their grimy hands. a
 Well, to go on. After nearly years re. spite, my lady and Sir Austin having spent l 8 good part of that time in ROme one of these warning lettere was brought by the postman to the Hall. It was Easter weather bright and clear and tolerably warm. The travel CTS would arrive the following day. and Bet sy set everybody on the clean and scrub Brown Holland coverings were taken of the furniture, lace and damask curtains were put up.
 As the girls fitted about, talking oyer their work. l gathered that some excitement was up about Pheby. She and Miles always accom- panied my lady and Sir Austin on their trsv els. Pheby had been Hin Rome of fever. l however she was i'll again, and it was doubt. full whether she would not have to be left be- hind Tn Paris. Miles said much in a few lines to James.
 The grand whirl of commotion subsided to- ward the close of the following day, and all was in readiness. James put on what gentle men call evening dress, Betsy her black silk aud lace cap, the maids their best bibs and fuckers. The large carriage, attended by it's servants, went to the six mile of railway sta tion, to await the travellers.
 It was wild night, dark as pitch; but as Rebecca irreverently remarked, my lady gen. orally did come home when the furies were abroad. Betsy reproved her, and held up her hand for silence; The wind swept in gusts over the hardened earth then, gathering it's strength, went soaring up on mighty wings toward heaven. James shivered as if his clothes were thin for him, and drew a, step nearer to Betsy.
 I wish you would listen,' she said to the chattering maids, l am almost sure hear wheels
 'Wheels' exclaimed James Why so it is, he added after pause of silence. The train must have kept it's time for oncs'
 Perhaps it knew it had my lady in it. said Rebecca in her hard way.
 They trooped into the hall, leaving my kitchen door open, as the carriage came roll | ing up the avenue. The great doors were | flung back and the light streamed out upon it | as it stopped.
 Fall into line on either side,' said Betsy to the servants and they fell back 1 My lady's high, sharp voice was heard heard before there had been time to let down the steps. John, it is astonishing how slow | you are you always were SO. Am to stay | in the carriage all night [?
 She came sweeping in; looking neither to | the right nor left an imperious woman with a dark sullen face. And she caught up the skirt of her travelling dress, as if she feared it might touch the gowns of the maids
 Welcome home, my lady; welcome home Sir Austin! spoke James in his meek and somewhat quavering voice., And l hope your travels have been pleasant to you, my lady, added Betsey. Welcome homev There! get out of the way; when do l have pleasant travels?' retorted my lady an- grily.
 How different was the young masters greet l iDg-and how handsome. he looked as he l threw back the breast of his overcoat, and lifted his hat from his golden hair, and stretch ed out his hands te shake those of the steward and the housekeeper
 James, l am glad to see you again Betsy you look younger than ever. And how are you all ? turning his smiling face on the line | of maids. have brought a little present for each of you.'
 When you have finished detaining Betsy with your nonsense, Sir Austin, perhaps you l will allow her to show me to my rooms,' cried my lady sharply. And hope the dinner is l ready, for am very hungry We are all hungry smiled Sir Austin, as though he would, as usual, throw oil on the troubled waters. All three of us. As hun- gry as huhters.'
 Three! Three oi them? Why yes to be l sure? That little figure cloaked and hooded, stepping in so quietly after my lady, was not Pheby. It was young girl a stranger. My lady, preceded by Betsy carrying two lighted candles in massive silver candesticks, which mad stood in readiness. halted on her way to 1 the grand staircase, as sheswas passing one of the reception rooms, and caught sight of it's blazing fire.
 ''Go in there,' she coldly said, pushing the l stranger into the room and not very gently You cannot be of any use to me as you are; and do not let me see your face again until you are warm.
 Oh, thank youH returned the young lady in grateful tone, and in the sweetest voice I | ever heard How kind you are am truly | very cold
 'Coldr retorted my lady. I have been made wretched for days past by your miser. able shivering. 1t has distracted my nerves abominably.'
 'The climate is so different from ours, pleaded the girl softly. When am little used to it, 1 shall not feel it so keenly' My lady pointed imperiousy to the fire, and swept on to the staircase. The girl knelt down in the blaze, and held out two small gloved hands to the warmth. Presently Sir Austin went into the room; and James also, for his master was talking to him. Sir Aus tin smiled down at the kneeing figure who looked but child, though she was eight cen. What! still in Yonr cloak and hood p he said pleasantly
 She smiled and rose up. It is such pret- ty fire ! answered she-'and oh, so welcome! l think see pictures in it. never before saw SO great fire.' .4
 As nation we glory in our generous fires,' he answered smiling. But to enjoy ii fllliv