The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-03-22
PRETTY MRS. GRAHAM,
BY NJ. d. B.

That is what always call her, to this
day, and in spite of all that's come and
gone, it's her true title, for I do believe
she was the prettiest creature I ever laid
eyes on.
And she dressed with such exquisite
taste, too, it set off her bright dark beau
ty so well, and she was such dainty
childlike little thing-why, even Dick
couldn't help acknowledging her beauty,
though he didn't take to her, from the
first.
But thought him wrong in that, much
as L trusted to his judgment, for you see,
Dick-well, Dick Fraser and my humble
sell, have been betrothed for several years
and next spring, after Bessie marries,
why am going to London to keep house
with Dick.
But that isn't my story.
When our dear parents died they left
Bessie and NE this fine old-fashioned
home, a good supply of solid, old fash
Toned furniture, and silver and household
linen, good old-fashioned servant who
had lived with us since Bess was a baby,
eighteen years ago, and very little ready
money.
So, as we could not give up our home,
or be parted, we looked about us for
two or three good old-fashioned board
ers who would stay with us all the year
round and be able to pay well for good
home.
Well, we found two, just what we
wanted, Miss Burton, an elderly maiden
lady, and Mrs. Wootton, widow lady,
who was glad to escape from the dust
and noise of the city, and who were
we'll able to pay US good prices for our
best rooms.
And this they did, only STIMULATING
that we should not take other board
ers, but all have a quiet home to-
gether.
So we were Just houseful of women.
you see-not man on the place, I'M
less we except Tom, the half grown
boy, who MIXED the COW, and tended
the garden, and drove our little carriage
for us.
We had plenty OF applications from
summer boarGers, but we never took
any unuI pretty Mrs. Graham came.
1t was melting hot day when a car
lively black-eyed little maid, and she
begged so hard to be taken just for a
month or two of the hottest weather,
saying we looked SO cool and delight
full out there, and she dreaded the
hotel SO much that it was hard to resist
her.
Miss Burton was in the parlor when
she called, and was 30 fascinated by the
little widows loneliness and hvehness
that she gave her consent to her coming
at once.
So then we consulted Mrs. Wootton-
you remember our agreement with them
made it necessary and she, too, was
quite won over, and SO the result was
that we made pretty Mrs. Graham an
exception, and took her and her lively
little maid, Jeanette, into our charmed
household.
She took possession that very day,
coming down with three large trunks
from town. She protested herself de-
lighted with our fine old home and plen
tiful country fare, and che certainly de.
lighted us with her beauty, and her be
witching ways, and her lovely toilettes
and her wonderful music. For she
made the keys of Bessie's piano almost
talk. and as Bessie herself was the orlT
player among us, and she but an iudif
ferent one, such musician was grea
treat.
Dick came down to take tea on Sun
day, as he generally did, and then h.
met our new boarder.
After supper 1 asked him if he di'
not think her lovely.
eyes, she is pretty-that can't b'
denied" he said slowly
"Well, what fault can you tind?"
said, seeing he held something back.
"None, perhaps, but 1 don't lik
her, and 1 wish you hadn't taken her
Mary. / believe she's little adven
turess, that's all"
"Why, Dick, her references were IN
e1ceptionable, and she is a member c
st. Johns Church, and teacher in tn
Sunday school"
is she? Well I hope she's goot
one," said Dick drily, and there the sub
iect dropped.
She had been with us about six weeks
when one Saturday afternoon l receives
from our business agents 930O, thepr
ceeds of the interest In coal mine be
longing to Bessie and me.
1t was too late to take it to the bank
where our cash was deposited, and ]
being half unwilling to keep 80 nue.
money two nights IN lonely house full
of women felt strongly inclined to g
over to the village, and deposit it Their
till Monday morning.
But on the second thought made u
my mind that was nonsense-the after
noon was warm, 1 was busy, and tn
money would be safe enough in my owl
drawer.
So counted the notes, to be sur
they were right, locked them in littl
jewel casket, and locked them in m
desk. AS opened the door of my room
to go down stairs, met Jeanette, VIII
said she was going to knock. Mrs
Graham was going to walk over to tn
vilage-could she do anything for me
/ thanked her, said would be glad ]
she would call at the posotffice, ant
went my way to see about tea.
The next morning we all went t.
church except our servant, Emma, VIII
remained at home to have Dime
ready.
In the afternoon Emma wished to g.
out, and as did not like the house t,
be quite alone, / remained at home my
self. Having slight headache, I la,
down upon the sofa in the cool parlo
and took quite nap. l sprang up a
soon as | wakened, and went up stair,
to arrange my hair, meeting pretty Mrs