The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1894-02-10
habit Of a~nathemaus,ng

was ~ the nabit o. a~n1tnematiz1n&
every evening.
This ID Itself was ~perplexing, but
there was more. Drawn up to one
side OF the fireplace was 4 snowy tea
table laid with sparkling glass and
flashing silver, the candles burning
cheerfully, and chasing away the gray
trated the corner. A shining samovar
Kissed appetizingly. and the fragrant
odor Of spicy oolong greeted his nos
trils.
II wonder what has come over old
MargotT he thought, as he div ested
himself Of his soaked mackintcsh and
ensconced himself in his favorite chair,
which was drawn up to the dire In read
mess for him. y
Bring along the stun; I'm ms hungry
as a bear" he called as the door gently
swung open.
"Oh!" ~.
This was an Involuntary exclamation
as a slim, prettly rounded little figure
appeared before him, and. with q re-
spectful courtesy, proceeded to busy
two d.mpled, sun-broEzed hands among
the delicate china.
At last when a steaming cup Of tea
had been poured u and presented to-
him by this charming new maid, he
recovered himself to the extent Of say
ing:
Would you mind telling me who you
areT"
"Betsey, the new maid, SIR" with an
other low courtesy. ~.
1t had never occurred to Gus before,
but he now decided that sBetsey was a
very pretty name, especially when be-
longing to a rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed
lassie with long black lashes. g..
Gus felt a sudden happiness permeate
his being. The old place. would not be
half so lonely il this charming vision
was to stay there and anticipate his
wants.
This happiness deepened az the days
slipped away, and he became accus-
toned to be waited upon by the
dainty maiden. He never recognized
her as the sailor girl he had rescued
that blustery morning. 49,
He began to have a half guilty feel
ing about the return OF his father and
mother from their summer sojourn in
Europe. He did not want to think OF
his little maid waiting on any one else,
even his beloved parents.
And then all Of a sudden one early
autumn day, Frank Weston, his old col
lege chum, descended u~nannounced up
on him as he stood smoking and talk
ing to Betsey on the side porch.
Hello, old fellow" said Frank, as
he came up the steps. "Why this must
be Miss Ellis" with a surprised glance
at the coquettish mite Of q cap, and
the snowy apron.
Gus turned to her In amagement,
only to see a vivid blush creep over
her fair white throat, and then she ran
Frank, with whom she had firted all
through q cotilon one evening the pre-
Vious winter. ".%
Gus could not understand the mystery
and thought Frank must be mistaken in
insisting that Betsey, the maid, was the
wealthy Miss Ellis, but at luncheon he
found a tiny note Of explanation on
his plate from Retsey, alias Marjory
Ellis, in which the Jewel Of a maid
resigned her position, and asked for q
recommendation.
A" recommendation. indeed" he NUT
tered as he read the apologize little
note; II will 20 over Immediately and
bring her back, under promise OF pro-
motion to housekeeper-in-chief."
And regardless Of poor Frank, he
started Immediately for Greychf, and
stayed until Marjory had promised to
accept the promotion, and resume her
duties in taking care Of MIR Marvin,
or Dear Gus" as she now called him.
"For," said she, though you don't
remember me, you saved my life once,
and l felt that I owed 1t to You to give
you a chance to fall in love with me-"