The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-08
THE STORY TELLER.
Pretty Mrs. Graham.

gone it's her true title, for l do believe
she was the prettiest creature l ever laid
eyes on.
And she was dressed with such exquisite
taste, too, it set off her dark bright beauty
SO well, and she was a 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
Dick--well, Dick Fraser and my humble
self have been betrothed for several years,
and next spring, after Bessie marres, why,
1 am going to keep house with Dick.
But that isn't my story.
When our dear parents died they left
Bessie and me this fine old-fashioned
servant who had lived with us since Bess
was 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-fashoned boarders who
would stay with us all the year round and
be able to pay well for good home.
Well, we found two, just what wo want
ed; Miss Burton, and an elderly maiden lady,
who were glad to escape from the dust and
noise of the city, and who were well able
to pay good prices for our best rooms.
And this they did, only stipulating that
we should not take other boarders, but all
have quiet home together.
So we were a houseful of women, you see
not man on the place unless we except
Tom, the half-grown boy who MIXED the
COW and tended the garden and drove our
little carriage for us.
g had plenty of applications from sum
mer boarders but we never took any until
pretty Mrs. Graham came. 1t was a melting
hot day, when carriage brought her to my
front door, with a lively, black-eyed little
maid, and she begged so hard to be taken
for just month or two of the hottest
weather, saying we looked so cool aud
delightful out there, and she dreaded the
hotel so much, that t was hard to resist
her.
Miss Burton was in the paror when she
called, and she was so fascinated by the
lite widows's loveliness and liveliness that
she gave consent to her coming at once.
So then we consulted Mrs. Wotton-y you
remember our agreement with them made
1t nccessary-and she, too, was quite won
over, and so the results was that we made
pretty Mrs. Graham an exception, and took
her lively little maid, Jeanette, into our
charmed household.
She took possession that very day, COM
ing down with three large trunks from
town. She professed herself delighted with
our fine old home and plentiful country
fare, and she certainly delighted us with her
beauty, and her bewitching 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
only player among us, and she but an in
different one, such musician was a great
treat.
Dick came down to take tea on Sunday,
as he generally did, and then he met our
new boarder.
After supper asked him if he did not
tthia& -AeE loxely- ely----------------------
eyes, she is:pretty that can't be denied"
he said slowly.
swell. what fault eau you find ?" l
said, seeing he kept samething back.
None, perhaps; but don't like her, and
l wish you hadn't taken her, Mary. I
believe she is little adventures, that's
ALL"
"Why, Dick her references were unexcep-
tionable, and she is member of st. Johns
church and teacher in the Sabbath
school.
SIS she ? Well hope she is good one,"
said Dick dryly, and there the subject drop
ped.
She had been with us about six weeks,
when one Saturday afternoon l received
fIom our business agent eight hundred
dollars, the proceeds of the interest in a
coal mine belonging to Bessie and me.
1t was too late to bank it, where our
cash was deposited and l, being half
unwilling to keep so much money two
nights in lonely house full of women, felt
strongly Inclined to 90 over to the village
and deposit it there till Monday morning.
But, on second thoughts, made up my
mind that was nonsense-the afternoon was
warm, was busy, and the money would be
safe enought in my own drawer.
So counted the notes to be sure they
were right, locked them in a little casket,
and locked them in my desk. AS opened
the door of my room to 60 downstairs,
met Jeanette, who said she was just going
to knock. Mrs. Graham was going to walk
over to the village-could she serve. me in
any way2 thinked her, said would be
glad if she would call at the post-office, and
went my way to see about tea.
The next morning we all went to church |
except Emma, who remained at home to |
have the dinner ready.
In the afternoon, Emma wished to 90 |
out, and as 1 did not like the house to
remain quite alone, remained az home
myself. HaYinga slight headache lay |
down upon sofa in the cool parlor and took |
a quiet nap. ! sprang up as soon as soon |
as was awakened, and went up stairs to
arrange my hair, meeting pretty Mrs. |
Graham coming down.
~ did not know you were at home" said |
/.
81 have this moment come in and taken |
off my hat" she said with sweet smile,
land was coming down for drink of ice
water" =
heard her off in the parlor, where she
she sat for long time playing grand, old,
church music, and singing softly in mes
SO sweet that it made me think of heaven
and angels music
Next morning as we were gathering at