Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-12-10

"Then you must not see her daily" re
piled the lawyer. "You have DO occasion
to reside here for the present"
"Confound her ladyship p cried Roland
Cavel. "Her desires are plague! What
evil spirit can have suggested such an idea
to her mind ?''
'sWhat is done is done," remarked MIR.
Mayland, philosophically. "Let me advise
you to consider that, and take things quiet
ly. l am sure you would not wish to de-
prive Miss Janet of the home and provision
that is made for her.
"Bah! I could give her an equivalent from
my own property" replied Roland Cavel,
taking another impatient stride across the
room.
"Excuse me-" answered Mr.. Maryland,
busily arranging his papers; eye IT property
is not secured to you until the three years
are past"
'Curse it '' cried Roland Cavel. "Read
the will!'
In the meantime the housekeeper and
Janet Mason were enjoying quiet cup OF
tea in the cosy sanctum of the former per
sonage.
"What shall we do, Janet?' murmured
Mrs. Lane, with a sigh, as she filled up a
second cup of the refreshing beverage for
| AAoA OOdcOAdIiOus OOI luiSlICoS. pOOI OOdi
mistress! We are feeling her loss by her
absence, but expect we shall feel it keener
and more personally presently, for you see
there's sure to be a lot of changes; perhaps
even shall have to CO. What will suit the
old does not always do for the young. No
doubt Mr.. Roland will want more company,
and that will occasion more hustle than my
old bones can bear! Alack the day! Would
had gone to my grave before nv lady ~
Nonsense, Mira. Lane" said Janet Ma
son, sharply. 'Lady Maud was not the
one to forget those who had served her faith
fully! She told me should never want an
other mistress; and if such be the case / am
sure you are provided for-you who have
served her 30 much lopger-actually for
years before was born Don't worry your
SELF"
81 can't help it, whispered Mrs. Lane,
the tears dropping into her tea cup.
| AS she spoke, Sister Glare entered. The
reading of the will had just ended.
| "Ah!' said she, cheerily, crying again
Mrs. Lane! Where in the world do you get
such supply of dewdrops?'
81 can't help it," repeated the old house
keeper, covering her face with her pocket
handkerchief. 81 am not young and things
affect me more than they used to do"
ooh f1eP' exclaimed Sister Glare. ''You
will make yourself ill if you fret in that
way. Cheer up and hear what dear Lady
Maud has done for you. She has acted
generously towards all her servants, as l
expected she would-to you in particular. "
II feel sure of it, said Janet.
"Give me cup of tea," continued the
good Sister, seating herself comfortably up-
on the sofa, 'tand I will tell you all about
it-all that she has done for you and Janet"
Away went the pocket-handkerchief with
the necessity for its use, and soon Sister
Clare's request for tea was gratifed.
WELL" said she, poising the cup in her
her hand, 81 won't keep you in suspense
You know that pretty cottage near the
north lodge gate, which you have often ad-
mired! That is left to you for life, with a
matter of one hundred pounds a year to
keep it in order.
"Oh." gasped Mrs Lane, show good,
how kind, how thoughtful of my dear dead
and gone mistress and lady! Il is true l
have been her servant for thirty years, but
her reward is greater than my SERVICE
"Nonsense!' said Glare, slipping her tea.
"Good Servants are not plentiful in these
days, and they ought to be recognized where
they exist"
Sand JANET murmured Mrs. Lane, she
has been good servant also.'
"Certainly,' replied Sister Clare. "Lady
Maud remembered that, Janet is to have
promotion. She is to be housekseper when
you vacate the situation
What: exclaimed Janet. ''House-
keeper | am too young for such response
Bile position"
LADY Maud evidently did not think co.
answered Sister Glare, helping herself to
another biscuit.
''But cannOt-I dare not undertake the
office" said Janet, pale with agitation.
"You must, my DEAR" replied Sister
Clare. "There il no escape. 1t is set down
in the will as one of her ladyship's desires,
OF, rather, commands"
Janet did not answer. She appeared to
be thinking; but presently she reused her
self, and said, Suddenly, with a little hesita-
ton. 'But, Sister Glare, perhaps Mr.. Ro.
land will not like this arrangement. He is
master now, l suppose?'
eyes" said Sister Glare, che is master:
but master or not, he will have to put up
with it."
docs he know?" asked Janet, after a
pause.
''Of course, child" answered Sister Clare,
laughing; and he will submit. because there
ia no help for it. But there! you need not
look SO troubled, for there is nothing to
mind. No doubt he will go abroad for the
present, and leave you to manage as you
please
81 hope so," said Janet, fervently. 'Tn-
deed hope 80, else fear | must disobey
my lady's command. Mr.. Roland ought to
have an older housekeeper.'
"Well, perhaps he ought" replied Sister.
Clare, drily, if you are SO silly as to fancy
he will take a fancy to vo,, >,
"No, no." said Janet, flushing violently;
81 don't think that"
"Then say no more about it," command
ed the Sister, sharply. Lady Maud GER
tainly did not imagine the probability of
such an event. Keep yourself TO yourself
and you need have no fear but that all will
60 well. Besides, it is not worth while to
lose the chance of two hundred pounds
year for life by refusing the situation!'.
''Two hundred year for lifeI' exclaim-
ed Janet. "What do you mean, Sister
Clare?'
'Why," said Sister Clare, slipping her
tea quietly, ''you are to have two hundred
pounds year for life if you stay here as
housekeeper for three years. Not very
hard task to perform for an ineome-eh,
Janet?"
'.No, indeed" answered Janet; ''though
IL Is slTanee one. But when the three
years are past, what then?''
''Why, then you can do as you like"
"And Mr.. Roland knows, you say?"
"Yes; he knows" answered a voice at
her elbow; and turning round. she saw Ro-
land Cavel, who had entered the room un-
perceived by her.
He was looking very pale, and returned
her astoDished look with gaze which made
her droop her eyelids.
Sister Glare suddenly became fidgety-
mode of expressing her feelings quite for
eign to her nature.
''How you startled us, Mr.. Rolandp' said
she. "You came in like a ghost"
Roland Cavel smiled family.
~ made no effort to do so, he answered,
II came with my ordinary tread, but you
were SO interested in your conversation that
your sense of hearing was not SO acute as
usual. Mrs Lane, l should be obliged if
you would give me cup of tea"
Certainly, sir, replied Mrs. Lane, try
ing to solve the problem of whether she
ought to stand up or sit down to dispense
hospitality to the new master of the house.
''Sit down, pray, Mrs. Lane, - said Roland
Cavel, comprehending her state of mind,
and seating himself as he spoke.