The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-05-26
HOUSE TO LET.

leahess poplar trees, the muslin cur
tains tapped in the draught. Old
Dorcas the colored servant, went ON
sprinkling the pillow cases on tho pinJ
table in the corner.
1--WE seen it coming this long time"
said Selma. "The landlord has been rs
COOL and considorate az possible"
DE lanlord's an old harpy T. said
Dorcas. Landlords allays is T.
mo, he is not persisted Selma.
I'VE owe him eight months Ient al
ready, and I do not know. how he is
ever to get his money. / would offer
him the piano and the carved rosewood
parlor set, If l 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 Adelaides
when frs she come from Baltimo'
boarding school T. said she. dat lubly
furnchure ms was made to order in
Annapolis No, Miss Lina-not wiv dis
chiles consent y
And she rolled thin old damask
tabloclolh very tightly and packed it
into the basket with emphasis.
"Mamma must know nothing of this,
Dorcas," said Selma, sadly.
"Dunno how you'se gwine to keen it
from her, Miss Lima"
att can be done, Dorcas. I've thought
it all out, said the girl She must be
made to suppose that she is going to
spend a few days with my employers at
Newport-"
Has doy done asked her, Miss Lina?"
mo, you goose ! | don't suppose
that they even know that I've got q
mother. l am only u typewriter and
stenographer in their eyes, and render
my services at SO much day Mrs.
Plinlimmon is known all through New
York rs female philanthropist, but
while she's helping poor immigrants
out of the slums aud rectifying the
slop shop question, she don't appreciate
that well dressed Southern lady may
be in sore straits. But she'll make us
good fgurehead as any other.
MISS Lima said Dorcas, after a
brief silence, during which she rolled
and sprinkled, patted and folded with
unceasing vigilance.
We'll ?"
ii knows whar I could git 81 week
for laundress, or So for cook. Tink O.
dat, Miss Lima.
"Do you want to leave us, Dorcas ?"
The old woman uttered subdued
groan. Lord knows it's honor enough
10 work for do ole Spencers ! But it's
money we uns wants-an' ebery 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. Its of
no use. Dorcas, said she. We've got
to bead before the storm. Hush Do
you hear that tapping p
"Somebody knocking at de do r.
cried Dorcas. why on arf don dey
ring de bell p
NO." Selma, OBTAINING her as she
was about to answer the supposed sum.
mons. Its the agent putting up the
TO Let But, whatever happens, Dor.
cos, don't let mamma know!'
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 brave !!
muttered she. Thinks old Dorcas
dunno she's crying dis berry minute
Why didn't she marry Mars George
Berkeley when he axed her an sabe
hersef all this trouble p
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 ; q pink.shaded lamp burned on
the table, and Mrs. Spencer herself was
engaged in crewel work, with slow, Ian.
guild fingers.
You are later han usual tonight,
Selma, said she, fretfully. Perhaps
your idea Of dutiful daughter is diff
ferent from mine. but I 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 Dorcss orders in
the kitchen, mamma. Selma cheerfully
answered. But I'm all ready now.
What shall read to you until the tea
comes up ?"
Well said the poor lady, feebly,
I'D like a few chapters OF the Scottish
Chiefs II was the first novel my dear
papa ever allowed me to read-and in
my opinion your Ouidas and Braddons
don't come near 1t.
And, while Selma read out the trials
of Helen Mar and Bruce the brave, she
wondered how ON earth she should
manage about showing the house to
the eager sightseers who would be sure
to be attracted by the legend ITO Let
on the morrow.
Cant go in dat ar room |" said Dor
cas-, interposing her stout figure be
tween the hard featured house-huntei
and the door of Mrs. Spencer's boudoir
"Dat's private, dat ar =.
Anything wrong in the room 2
sharply questioned the woman.