Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-05
HOUSE TO LET.
-Harper's Weekly.

Spencer. Ihe wind ruStled In the leafieSS
poplar trees, the muslin curtains tapped
in the draft. Old Dorcas, the colored
servant, went ON sprinkling the pillow
cases on the pine table in the corner.
"I've seen it coming this long time"
said Selma. 1.-THE landlord has been as
good and considerate as possible
''De lan'lord's an old harpy!" said Dor
cas-. Landlords allays isl'
"No, he's not" persisted Selma. 1--WE
owe him eight months rent already, and
do not know how he is ever to get his
money. l would offer him the piano
and the carved rosewood parlor set, if
thought they would possess any value in
his eyes--in part payment mean"
Dorcas rolled up the coffee colored
whites of her eyes,
.Dat piano as was Miss Adelaide's
when frs she come from Baltimo' board
ing SCHOOL," said she "Dat lubly fun
chure as was made to order in Annap'lisl
No, Miss Lina-not wiv dis chiles con-
sentl"
And she rolled thin old damask ta-
BILE cloth very tight and packed it into
the basket with emphasis.
Mamma must know nothing Of this,
Dorcas," said Selma sadly.
Dunno how you'se gwine to keep it
from her, Miss Lima"
''It can be done, Dorcas I've thought
it all out" said the girl. "She must be
made to suppose that she's going to spend
few days with my employers at New
port"-
"Has dey done asked her, Miss LinaT
mo, you goosel l don't suppose that
they even know that I've got a mother
I am only typewriter and stenographer
in their eyes, and render my services at
80 much day. Mrs. Plinlimmon is
known all through New York IS fe-
male philanthropist, but while she's
helping poor immigrants out of the
slums and rectifying the slopshop ques-
ton, she don't appreciate that well
dressed southern lady may be in sore
straits. But she'll make as good fig
urehead as any other"
'Miss Lima" said Dorcas, after brief
silence, during which she rolled and
sprinkled, patted and folded with un-
ceasing vigilance.
"Well?"
81 knows whar could git four dol
lars a week for laundress, or five for
cook T'ink o dat, Miss Lima"
do you want to leave us, DorcasP'
The old woman uttered subdued
groan. "Lord knows it amt dat, Miss
Lima! Lord knows it's honor enough to
work for de ole Spencersl But it's
money we uns wants-an cherry cent O
de ole woman's wages, dey'll come back
TO ole missus and Miss Lima"
The long lashes dropped over Selma
Spencer's lovely hazel eyes. cts of no
use, Dorcas," said she. We've got to
bend before the storm. Hush! Do you
hear that tapping?"
'Somebody knocking at de doI' cried
Dorcas. "Why ON arf don't dey ring do
bell?"
"No," Selma, OBTAINING her as she
was about to answer the supposed sum-
mons. ''It's the agent putting up the
sTo Let But whatever happens, Dor
cas-, don't let mamma knowp
She rose, and getting up her hat and
gloves, went up the wide, gloomy old
staircase. Dorcas looked after her and
shook her turbaned head.
"Meks b'lieve she's pow'ful braveT
tnuttered she. "T'inks ole Dorcas dunno
she's cryin dis berry minutel Why didn't
she marry Mars George Berkeley when
he axed her an sabe herself all this trou-
ble?"
Up in the dimly lighted sitting room
Mrs. Spencer sat, faded belle of the
olden days. The piano was open, the
window was full Of carefully tended
plants; pink shaded lamp burned on
the table, and Mrs. Spencer herself was
engaged in crewel work with slow, Ian
guild fingers.
"You are later than usual tonight, Sc
lina." said she fretful1y. Perhaps your
idea Of dutiful daughter Is different
from mine, but think any amount of
Shakespeare and Browning classes
oughtn't to take so much of your time
away from your mother"
II stopped to give Dorcas orders in the
kitchen, mamma" Selma cheerfully
answered. "But Pm all ready now.
What shall l read to you until the tea
comes upf'
swell" said the poor lady feebly, ''Td
like few chapters of the Scottish
Chiefs It was the first novel my dear
papa ever allowed mo to read-and In
my opinion your 'Ouidas' and 'Braddons'
don't come near it."
And while Selma read out the trials Of
Helen Mar and Bruce the brave, she
wondered how on earth she should man.
age about showing the house to the eager
sightseers who would be sure to be at
tracted by the legend "To Let" on the
morrow.
'sCan't go in dat ar roomw said Dor
cas-, interposing her stout figure between
hard featured house hunter and the
door of Mrs Spencer's boudoir. "Dat's
private, dat ar is!'
Anything wrong in the room?" sharp
ly questioned the woman.
Nom" stoIidly responded Dorcas.
Ceilings cracked? Water pipes
BURST"
Nom"
"Then why can't see itp' with a.
sudden push in that direction.
She might as well have attempted to
charge batteryof artillery. Old Dorcas
stood immovable.
Lady amt well. num- said she.
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