The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-01

and adding a few words of half -jesting
| reinsurance, walked briskly down the
! square in the direction of his rooms in
| Jermyn street.
But in spite of the young mans con-
| fident tone, Mrs. Mason felt uneasy.
! Why, she hardly knew. Yet, battle as
she would against it, the strange feel
! ing of an impending evil returned to
her again and again, filling her with
direst forebodings.
Suppose her dear ladyship is really
-seriously-ill?" the Door woman kept
saying to herself. For more i'll than
his lordship likes to say: and when
they bring her home it may not be her
own living self he brings, but No,
no. that's too horrible even to think
Of! Suppose that new girl Ellen" she
went on. her nominations taking an
other furnishes not been in our SER
vice before-suppose she should drop
| light, and the, whole house be"
Mrs. Mason did not trust herself to
complete her thought. She had Sc
we're inward struggle with herself in
| stead, and thus continued:
| why what a silly, stupid old wo-
| man I am, when l come to think of 1t!
What's the matter with me? His lord
| ship says he's coming home. I'm told
to get things ready. And ever since
! I've had the news. instead of being
| overjoyed at it, I've been nothing but
NOPE and moan. An for no reason
that / can see: that's the silly part of
| IT." Then. with sudden resolution, she
| added Il won't NOPE, and / won't
moan-there! I'll get to work, and I'll
II Nke the girls work, too, and then 1
ca t think"
til this laudable intention in view,
the old lady set about her business.
| BY o'clock that night wonderful
progress had been made in the prepar-
alton of the rooms intended for the re-
ception of my lord and my lady, and
when Mrs. Mason reflected that they
had still nearly the whole of the next
day in hand for final arrangements,
she felt fully satisfied with the work
that had been got through.
| At half past nine the tk<ce women
sat down to their supper. During the
progress of the meal what with the
chatter of the two girls and the ma
tural feeling Of elation at having
achieved a good days work, the house.
Keeper began to feel almost joyous, and
entertained her hearers with anecdotes
or former places she had held among
'iiS Sieot ldHiiieS VI the peeTaSe.
So time sped on till half-past ten.
when the two housemaids were sent
off to their rooms at the top of the
mousse. Mrs. Mason prepared to follow
them, but on consideration decided not
to do so just at present. Instead she
remained seated in her armchair by
the fire, and thought over the events OF
the day.
And thus she unused, the same vague
teeling or uneasiness that had troubled
her in the morning began to return to
her. Lest they should for one moment
gain the upper hand. the old lady at
once, on their very first approach, rose
from her chair and took up her candle.
Sarah Mason, this won't do" she
said sternly to herself. You've got
to get good nights rest, and you
know 1t. If anything is going to hap
pen, it will happen-spite of anything
you can do to prevent 1t. The govern
ing of this world lies with a higher
power than with you. You've got to do
your duty, not meddle with fancies
which may never come to pass"
So saying, she lit her candle, and was
about to ascend the stairs to her ROOM
when she paused.
Better, perhaps, let in Pluto tonight,
to prowl about as he likes. It'll be
safer so, and make me feel more easy.
Then I'll see if that girl Ellen has put
out her light and left no sparks about.
l was Just going to bed without doing
either of these things. Talk about duty
why, I'm neglecting mine thinking
about things I've got no business to
think about"
Mrs Mason now retraced her steps
n
through which she presently came to
the Kitchen: this she crossed and OPEN
ed door at the farther end, that gave
on to spacious yard. Directly she had
set her foot on the flags outside, she
felt two heavy paws on her shoulders
and cold moose thrust against her
cheek.
mo. you coax. I've got no bones this
time" she said, addressing the occu-
lpant of the ward But I've got work
for you to do, Pluto"
The dog, a magnificent bloodhound
seemed clearly to understand what she
said, for he put his head on one side as
though to say: What is the work you
speak OFF,"
Come in here and I'll tell you" And
opening the door wider, the dog came
bounding in. STEADY. steady--not so
fast"
In a moment the perfectly trained
animal became sober, walked demure-
ly up to Mrs. Mason and licked her
hand; then, as she made for the hall, he
followed her sedately, seemingly i'm
pressed with the fact that he was being
admitted into the house for business,
not pleasure.
pluto" said the housekeeper earn
estly to him, as soon as they had both
arrived at the hall, listen carefully to
me. You are a good dog, and have
served your master we'll in needful mo-
ments before now. Nov, Pluto, you
have got to guard this house tonight.
If you do that shall feel safe and easy
in my mind. You understand. Pluto!
Guard!"
In response the dog slowly waved his
tail to and fro-to and fro.
Good night. good faithful friend.
And may nothing occur to bring your
strength into need!" Then, patting
the hounds great head Mrs. Ma
son turned away toward the STAIR
case. But Pluto followed her a few
steps and once more he licked her hand.
There was perfect accord between the
two.
Ascending 10 Ellen Parker's room.
the housekeeper found all safe there /;
the girls light was extinguished and
the girl herself asleep.
BY this time Mrs. Mason felt deeply
tired with all she had undergone dur
ing the day, and was glad to seek the