Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-15
Continued from last week.
CIAI EtJ VII.
THE GREAT JUNE AUDIT.

sugar ON it, Let it then be no detracticn from
the Talberts' general administrative ability
that the nurse girl turned out badly They |
had been SO successful with cooks, parlor |
maids, hou,e maids and kitchen maids that
their failure in this one instance must not he
considered.
The girls misdeeds need not be detailed,
suffice it to say the elimination of them was
this: Horace and Herbert driving up the lane
one evening saw young man and woman
embracing vigorously, and generally having a
bappy time OF it, They could not recognize
the girl, but felt sure she was one of their
household so the discreet Whitaker was or
dered to wait at the side door and send the
first arrival to his masters.
OF course she repealed the accusation. She
had indeed stepped out for minute to post
a letter to her aged mother but as for speak
ing to- much less kissing, MAXWELL she
never did! Alas, for feminine verncity! On
the back of her print dress was the impress
sion of four fingers and a thumb, printed
there in good black mold, for twas an under
gardener who had succumbed to her charms
It was Herbert who, while Horace expostu-
lated, was seated at the table and so saw her
back, who drew attention to this damnlng
evidence. This gave rise to impertinence and
months warning, given in the most dig
nified and calm way by her masters.
They decided to engage an older and stalder
body, and being perhaps rather cresttallen al
lowed Miss Clauson TO have voice III the
matter. One morning a quiet-lookng, pale
faced woman waited upon them. Shs heard
that nurse was wanted and offered her serv-
ices Character she had none to give. hay
ing been out of service for some years. but
plenty of people would speak for her respect
ability. The Talberts were much taken with
her general demeanor; but hummed and
hawed when they found she did not come red
hot from place. Horace examined her at
tentively through his eye-gass.
"Haven't 1 seen you beforet' he asked.
eyes, sir. l lived many years ago with
Mr. Merton, of Cavendish square. You were
often at the house"
She said her name was Miller, and that she
was widow. She spoke well, and in that re-
spectful but not servile, way which the Tai
berts liked. If they could bring themselves
to get over the absence of credentials, and
deny themselves the pleasure of calling on
and cross-examining a former mistress, they
thought this woman might do.
Beatrice had no doubt about it; and upon
such inquiries as could be made being an
svered satisfactorily, Mrs. Miller in.
stalled in the place of the frail failure whose
escapade v'ith the gardener had lowered the
whole moral tone of the establishment. A
giddy girl in a bachelors establishment
means destruction.
But Mrs Miller was a very different mat
ter. Miss Ciauson found her perfection
nimble-handed, kind and experienced-more-
over, quite qualified to fulfill the duties of
lady's maid when occasion required Whit
taker approved of her. She was n coadjutor
after his own respectable heart. The first one
to be considered the boy, took to her as read
lily as he had taken to Beatrice. Horace and
HarNart in ia of tba sba rn lpOEout they
kept for a while, could find no flaw in her
conduct, and when at the end of two months
they aScertained that she had used less SOAP
four cakes less than her predecessor had dur
ing her short stay, they began to think they
had acquired treasure.
''For the aid looks as clean as ever" said
Herbert to Horace Il always felt sure that
girl left the soap in the hot water and forgot
all about it,"
The last winter months and the spring
months passed very quietly at Lakewood
House. The Talberts and their niece dined
occasionally with the best families in the
neighborhood, and in return the Talberts
asked the best families to dine with them. The
seven days wonder about the boy had almost
lied away. Everyone, Of course, felt sure he
was somebody, but no one knew what body.
II there was any scandal the serene brothers
heard it not. tits true that old Lady Bowker,
avery i'm oortant parsonage, paid them visit
On purpose to find out all about everything.
She had known the Talberts as boys, so felt
entitled to ask them point blank for an explain
alton. People who have known you as a
boy are as a rule, great nuisances.
She told them she wanted to speak to them
on private business, so Beatrice left the room
Then she turned from one to the other of the
grave, long faced men,
"Now, Horace; now, Herbert, what is the
meaning of this AFFAIR." Who is the boy you
are making such fuss aboutf'
81 don't think we ever make fusses," sale
Herbert in a deprecating way.
'Certainly not ~ said Horace, with decision
''Well, mysteries then; we all want to know
who this child really is-the child who CAM
in the dead Of night wrapped up in an anti
macassar or something-came by Pckford'
van, l am told
II wish you could tell Us, Lady Bowker
We know no more than you do"
That's all nonsense, Horace. / hear yo
have engaged a nurse and that the child is t
stay with you. | think you most incon
siderate,n
''We are never inconsiderate,n said Horace
"Certainly not said his brother.
eyes, you are. You are inconsiderate i
not letting at least one safe, discreet perso
into the secret. Some like myself VIII
could vouch for you"
eve don't want to be vouched for
Eyes, you do don't see that you are an
better than other people,
Lady Bowker was growing cross at the
mild obstinacy.
"You are most inconsiderate towards Nil
Clauson. Here, a week after she comes
live with you, this infant makes its appea
ance. OF course people say you were onl
waiting until there was a lady at Hdzlewoo
House to look after him"
''They say that, do they'" asked Horac
refectively.
0What else can they saya I don't say S
but then have known you SO long Sc
that you have some excellent reason FOR kee
ing this child; but you ought 20 tell one pc
son at least who he really Vs."
"But we don't know"
eyes. you do. Now tell me, like go'