San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-24
THE THIRD MAID.

1t was on a wild October evening about
year ago that my wife and l arrived by
train at a well known watering place in
the north of England The wind was howl
ing and roaring with delight at its resist
less power; the rain came kissing down in
large drops.
Our hotel was situated on an cG:HPnce
overlooking the town; and as VT s.NwIy
ascendej to it in our cab, we thought,
"Wcll, we must not be surprised TO find
our intended abode for the night has van
ished."
However, presently we stopped in front
of a building which looked substantial
enough to withstand anything, and in
answer TO our drivers application to the
bell the door was promptly opened by, a
smartly attired porter. Hewas closely fol-
lowed by person full of smiles and bows,
who posted himself in the doorway ready
to receive us.
All at once there was a terrific bang, as
though fOrty-pOunder had been fired to
welcome our arrival, and he of the smiles
and bows was hurled headlong against the
muddy wheel of our conveyance by the
slammiug to of the large door. My wife's
bonnet blew off and tugged hard at its
mornings; the light in the porch was eX-
tinguished, while the wind seemed 10 give
a shrek of triumph at the JOKES Ae was
playing upon us. Here we were, then, in
total darkness and exposed to lis d|enCh-
ing rain. However, half an h,ur afl tr-
ward all our discomforts were forgotten as
we sat down to an excellent dinner a la
carte.
Next morning was abroad very early,
looking for lodgings. Fortune seemed to
smile upon me on this occasion, for scarce
ly had | proceeded fifty yards from my
hotel when came upon very nice look
ing row of houses, and in the window of
the first was lodgings to let" Knocking
at the door, it was soon opened by very
neat looking maid
| inquired if could see the proprietor,
but was told that Miss c. was not yet
down. said would wait, and was shown
into a very comfortably furnished dining
room. Soon Miss G. appeared, and
proved to be a pretty brunette of about
five-and-twenty, whose dark eyes during
our short interview were every now and
then fixed on me with an intentness that
seemed to be trying to read what kind of
a person was: while her manner, though
decidedly pleasing, had a certain restless
ness in it which could not help observing
Her father and mother being both dead
she kept the lodging house herself. l
asked her if she had good cook, to which
she replied she was responsible for most of
that difficult part of the menage herself,
keeping two maids to assist in the house
and parlor work. She went on to say that
her drawing room was 'disSected;" a term
common among north country lodging
house keepers, and meant to express that
it was undergoing its autumn cleaning,
but she would have it put straight if
wished. told her that we should be quite
contented with the dining room, provided
we had a good bedroom. This she at once
showed me, and soon coming to terms 1 re-
turned to the hotel.
After breakfast l went to the bureau to
ask for my account. While it was being
made out, observed casually that l had
taken lodgings at Miss G-'s, on Cliff ter
race, upon which the accountant looked
quickly up and said, 'Oh, Miss G-'s,"
and then as quickly went on with my bill. l
hardly noticed this at the moment, though
l thought of it afterward.
Eleven o'clock saw us comfortably en-
sconced in our rooms. After lunch we
took delightful expedition, the weather
having greatly moderated. We found that
night, at dinner, that Miss C. was first
rate cook, and we retired to rest much
pleased with our quarters.
We soon made the acquaintance OF the
two maids-LaDe. who waited on US, and