Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-09-05
A DOMESTIC DESPOT.


"Ah, dear me, dear me :" sighed Mrs
Copman. "What / world of ,roubl
this is -
Her son-in law looked up from tn
newspaper he was reading. lie was
tall, handsome man of thirty, with sof
dark eyes, here and there a silver streal
in his hair.
"Is there any new trial developing it
self" he asked kindly.
Ne" said Mrs, Copman; nothin,
especial Except that Marion wants th'
green parlor for studio. There Il
such an excellent north light to it, yo'
know"
"Well, said Henry Charters, VIII,
not let her have i, :"
But what shall we DO for reception
room :" said the old lady.
Take my library" he suggested.
My dear Henry and all the books
-wha, is to become of them: But dear
Marion would be so delighted if only the
plan was practicable"
Put them in my bedroom" said Mr..
Charters, absently. Floyd can easily
knock up a few shelves there. 1t i:
pity that Marion should be disturbed in
the prosecution Of her art"
You are always so kind and thought
ful," said Mrs. Copman, frightening up,
as she hurried away to give the necessary
instructions.
Floyd, Mr.. Charteris's faithful Scotch
servant. stared blankly when the old lady
issued her orders.
My masters library said he, {" up
to his bedroom Wherever will put
the books
"Oh, there is plenty of room for a few
shelves" said Mrs. Copman, briskly
and if there should be a volume or two
left over, they can easily be put into The
closet under the stairs, which has Z
good large window looking over the sta
bles."
FLOYD whis,led under his breath, bu
there was nothing for it bu, to obey.
IL never see such a mother. in-lawet
house a. this in all my life said he tC
the housekeeper with groan. Here
Mr.. Harry, crowded into the bedroom
in the north wing, and the closet unde
the stairs, while Mrs. copman and he
three Gorgon-faced daughters have usurP
ed the whole house with their studios
and their music rooms, and their bou
doirs. and the mischief only knows wha
all"
The housekeeer shook her head.
"Ah. YOU may well say so, said sh
-" and that amt the worst OF 1t, mel
ther, Floyd"
"Eh :" said the old man."
"How long is it since Mrs. Charter
poor lady-died :" seriously questione
Mrs. Akers.
"Sixteen-seventeen months, amt it:
said Floyd. But why"
"Ah," said the old housekeepel
when the two years are up she'll max
him marry one of the three sisters. You
see"
But there is not one under forty, an
as plain as a pike-staff,' calculated Floy
in diSmay.
You'll find as that won't make n
difference" said Mrs. Akers, gloomll!
THAT is what she's got her eye on,
true as you are alive, Floyd. And Sd
never yet failed in what she made up hi
mind to do"
While Mrs. Akers and Mr.. Floyd wei
engaged in this discussion of family a
fairs, Mrs. Copman herself was Cheerful
| ly bustling about, ordering the maid
tormen,ing the footman, suggesting thu
that and the other timing to her three b
ny. hieh-cheeked daughters, Marion, A
abella and Melicent,-until, sudden
glancing up, she CHANGED to observe
light figure, clad in pretty pink mu
lin. with floating white scarf, enter Il
greenhouse door, across the garden. 81
rang the bell energetically.
Floyd" she said, "who is that-th
person in the garden" :"
"I,'. Miss Jetty Lane, the parsor
daughter" said Floyd. "At least
coughing behind his hand, cit look
like her,"