Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-08
WAVERLAND.
BY SARAH MABIE BRIGHAM.
COpgriqhted, 1886.
A TALE OF OUR COMING LANDL oRDs

young lady, shaking my hand with the
freedom of old. She seemed just as frank
and happy as ever, only so much more
handsome. 1t did me good to hear her
CHEEKY voice and see her laughing face in
the gloomy Cd room.
us your pony at the gate, the same al
usual?' asked, remembering olicn times
| Yes, Lloyd, and l long as much IS ever
for wild gallop over the moor" she said,
playfully
| After lunch, which was served in my
mothers room, 1 went down to the stable,
and finding my favorite horse there, l re-
| turned, saying.
Miss Annie, l will accompany you
home, If agreeable, and try the wild gal
| lop you suggested.''
| Thus we took up the old life Just where
1t had broken off, when, at the age of six
teen, we had parted. No embarrassment,
| no restraint, but glad companionship
| again, as in childhood.
l had not enough ambition to care to fix
| mp the old place, but would roam about in
an absent, thoughtless way with my dogs
| and companions, or at Annies side. as of
| Old. was just as eXacting with her now
as then, and she was just as patient with
my fretful moods as when she was child.
Gradually the old house took different
look. The old hall door swung open with
out the aid Of two Or three servants. The
| windows too could let in the sunlight, for
shining paneS of glass had taken the place
OF boards and rags One evening coming
nome found the drawing groom door open
entered, and what q sensation Of pleasure
came over me! The old notification furni-
| ture had been cleaned and frightened. the
tom &r8TTl lo/o, ~
and was newly arranged The old neg
lected piano was open and on the rack
We're several sheets OF music. The room
had such cosy, homelike appearance that
bounded away to call my mother that
she might eujoy it with me. Taking her
in my arms l carried her down stairs and
placed her in one Of the easy chairs, then l
went back to the door to take a survey.
While I stood there silently ENJOYING the
scene, Miss Everett stepped from the win
low seat, where she had been concealed
by the drapery, saying:
'Wel, Sir Lloyd, how do you like it?"
"It is finel We owe you q thousand
thanks for this pleasant surprise" I said.
going toward her, but she turned away,
saying:
II only let the sunshine in" and left the
room.
what a strange girl she is" L said.
Her active brain has planned and her
busy hands have guided ali this work.
Yes, she is a strange girl" said my
mother. :'5he has given me new life since
ne came, bringing in the sunshine, as she
says; not only into our rooms but into our
hearts as Weu.'
80 mamma, how came Won down
stairs:" asked Myrtle, az she came dane
ing into the room. "How nice it is! O,
mamma, stay here alWaysn'
1t did seem like home A bright room
and my mothers gentle presence! Then
began Il happy home life. The evenings
we're passed with music and pleasant CON
versation, and the dreary old house was
fall Of joy and sunshine. One evening not
long after, as l entered my llother's room,
she said;
What do you think, my son, Miss Ever
cit has asked permission to control the
hOusahold?''
II think she can do it, mother, Judging
from what she has done. You gave her
permission, Pm sure.''
yes, but l told her she would soon tire
Of it; that Lord Waverland's servants
were hard to manage. She only laughed
at my fears, saying it was like a difficult
problem that she was very much interested
in. i believe she is Interested, for Myrtle
is learning many useful things besides her
studies. She is delighted with Miss Ever
ett."
When l left my mother l went to the
drawingroOm. 1t was still early, and the
summer sun made the room pleasant one.
As [ went toward one Of the window seats,
saw Miss Everett seated in it busy sew
ing. 1t annoyed me, and in tone of veX-
alton I said.
What right have you to sit working
away all the time, never taking any rest?"
She raised her clear brown eyes to mine
for q moment, as though asking what
meant, then said:
ct is a case of necessity, Sir Lloyd, as
find your sisters wardrobe in great diSor-
der"
WELL" said, "you have no right to do
that" pointing to the work that lay in her
lap.
She only shrugged her shoulders and
went on with the sewing It made me
more veXed to be defied in this manner by
slight girl; and commenced pacing the
floor, saying:
1--WE are disgrace to our name, a dis |
grace to mankind! No one ever comes |
here without being imposed upon. Here |
you must be compelled to be seamstress
for your pupil. But what a fool 1 ami
What do you know about it?"
The quick, keen glance she gave me as I
turned to leave the room said us plainly as
words could say that she did know and |
care. Her active life was a constant re-
buke to my idle one. had never felt the |
need of purpose in life, and had followed |
listless, thoughtless existence until her |
coming had stirred new impulse; but as
yet was not willing to follow it.
One morning [ was passing through the |
Kitchen, when to my surprise and astonish- |
ment | saw Miss Everett with q big white |
apron on and bunch of keys at her side, |!
giving directions to the servants for din |
ner. l was vexed.
Miss Everett l said in no pleasant |
tone. 81 thought that was the duty of the |
housekeeper!' |
Making me comic bow, she said, ~ am !
the only housekeeper this establishment |
has at present"
why, where is Mrs. Ingram?" I asked, |
amazed. 'She has been our housekeeper !
ever since | can remember, and / thought |
she was fixture"
'She left few days ago." said Miss |
Everett, coolly.
Left" I said, why, she has not been
paid for years"
BEG pardon, Sir Lloyd, she has been
paid. l paid her myself" said she archly. |
well, Miss Everett, how soon are you !
going to take charge of the estate? That |
needs attention next" l said, in an impa- |
tiG:,t tone