Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-05
HIS DAUGHTER.


will al be cold US stone"
As the kind old housekeeper looked
into the room her face took on an anX-
ious expression as she saw the bowed
young head, and heard the smothered
sobs of the mistress of whom she was
so unselfishly fond.
'What is it, honeys Did the letter
bring bad news? Tell me about it,
and may be the telling of your trouble
will make it easier to bear.
Agnes raised her head and looked at
Mrs Willard in q dazed sort of way
for an instant Then with an effort
she controlled herself sufficiently to
speak and unburden her mind of the
sad truth which pressed so heavily up
on it.
''We'll soon be without q home, Mrs.
Willard! The money that papa left me
is all lost That letter is to tell me-"
"Well, Miss Agnes, you have your
cousin Earnest to look to. He will take
care of you.
A crimson flush chased away the
girl pallor.
'.Hush, Mrs. Willard, don't speak of
him to me again; he is married. The
news came this morning"
''Bad luck to him! and he engaged
to you! He is black-hearted- ~
mo, Mrs. Willard, he's only tickle
and thoughtless. He fell desperately
in love with the pretty young thing he
has married, and they have made q
runaway match. | am glad he found
out the nature of his liking for me be-
fore instead of after our union had
taken place. He had cousinly fond
ness for me. That was al"
Agnes spoke with quiet dignity
which silenced her listener at once
''Well, come and have your lunch
now. / broiled u bit of chicken for
you, and l hope it will taste good.
Sitting here and fretting won't mend
things bit"
She succeeded in coaxing Agnes int
the dining-room, and poured out a cup
of fragrant Mocha, laid the morning
paper beside her plate, and then left
her alone.
Agnes slipped the coffee and tasted
the chicken. Then she glanced over
the columns of the newspaper
An advertisement attracted her at
tention. 1t was this:
''WANTED-A Housekeeper She
must be active and good-tempered, as
well rs competent to direct the domes-
tics under her particular charge. Adj
dress Z, Box 65"
Il will have to earn my living now, "
thought Agnes with a sigh, land kept
house for papa; so why can't l for
some one else? At any rate, | will an
swcr this advertisement, and learn
what kind of duties are required"
She wrote note and sent it to the
given address.
The following day brought reply
from Mr. Durant, requesting her to
call at the writer's house, and giving
its number and the name of the street.
After a long walk she reached the
place. 1t was m imposing-lOoking
mansion. A carriage was drawn up
before it, and a liYeried footman ran
up the steps and gave tremendous
peal at the bell, glancing at Agnes cur
iously as he did so.
A servant came to the door Agnes
gave him her card, and he moved
noiselessly away, returning soon to say:
''PIease, miss, walk into the library"
a gentleman was seated at a table
writing. He turned his head as Agnes
entered, and looked at her carelessly
ut first, then curiously. His eyes were
very dark and bright, and their express
sion was one c. unmistakable surprise.
''Are y5U tho lady who answered my
advertisements" he asked.
Yes, sir, said Agnes timidly, feel
ing for the first time that she had done
a very foolish thing in imagining her.
self competent for the position.
81 was struck with the business-like
conciseneSs of your note, Miss Belfont,
and hoped to find myself suited in OBJ
tanning 4 substitute for the faithful per-
son who is leaving me. But" with
half smile, I hope you will pardon
me for saying thatyou youth is against
you"
Agnes tried to make her voice steady
as she answered, but, in spite of her
efforts, it trembled:
Il never had any trouble with our
own servants, sir, so | thought might
manage other peoples; but I see my
mistake. =
Il must again ask pardon for intrud-
IL ny OPAhAOho upon y Ou. DuI why
may | ask, have you selected this par
ticular line of employment? Would not
the occupation of teacher be more
suited to- the station to which YOU eyi-
IDENTIFY belong?"
ut was a sudden impulse which led
me to answer your notice Poor papa
has been gone from me whole wear.
and now have just heard that all the
money he left is lost. 1t was invested
in a Fire Insurance Company, which
has failed. must earn my living some
way"
'.And so you pluckily seized the first
chance that seemed to present itself.
Good! like your spirit. The taking
of such trying and responsible place
as that of the directing spirit of my
household machinery would not be
feasible; but have an invalid aunt who
is about to part with her companion
lady who has come into a small prop
erty lately, and SO does not need the
position any longer.