Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-03-18
At length the bell rang and my but

At length the bell rang and my but
Ter opened the door. 1t was lCarter.
He passed through the opening in the
portieres that the obsequious Branton
had made for him and was seated be-
side me. After the usual compliments
of the day had been exchanged he
glanced furtively toward the hall,
then whispered: ga new MANI"
'Yes," l replied, enveloping my
self in cigarette smoke to hide the
high coloring of my face. 81 got him
to-day"
"Huml" he exclaimed. "Made a
ten-sfrike at last, eh?"
He referred to my getting ten
| strike and a good servant on the same
day, and thanked him, but before l
had an opportunity to go into particu-
lars, for it was evident that he was
curious, l heard Branton open the
door and confusion of soft voices.
A moment later 1 had affectionately
greeted my aunt and cousin, made my
obeisance to Miss Rosa Nell and ush-
cred my guests to the room set apart
for them, for my butler had suddenly
disappeared ard left this last duty to
me.
When I saw Rosa Nell in theIfull
glare of the study lights 1 forgot the
Inconvenience to which l had been
put, that to keep up appearances 1
had been driven to deception. and I
was really honest in tho thanks I
showered on my aunt for the honor of
her coming. She was beautiful girl,
with tall, finely proportioned figure !;
deep black hair and eyes, and face
no feature of which was perfect, but
which as a whole, was most attractive.
To be frank again, Miss Mells charms
were further increased for me by re-
mark my aunt made as l led her out to
dinner.
Snow, Frank, dear. mind your ps
and qs," she whispered. "She's as
rich as Mrs. Crmsus, and the charm
ingest-it's the best word-glrl L
know"
"Thank you for your kindly interest,
aunt" l replied in an undertone. In
londer voice l added, 81 am well
contented with my bachelor condi-
ton"
"And who wouldn't be in such q
jolly place." cried my cousin, as we
were seated, and her eyes scanned the
! walls, covered with curios that Hol-
wood had gathered from every quarter
of the globe.
81 almost long to be a bachelor"
That was as far as Miss Nell pro-
gressed, for as she was speaking her
eyes fell upon the butler standing be-
hind my chair. She flushed, then the
color left her face and she stared at
him, unconsciously. Her confusion
was but momentary. She recovered
herself and with the greatest COM
posure added: Eyes, it must be jolly
to be bachelor and live like this"
"Vandergust is certainly an ex-
tremely lucky fellow" cried Carter.
"Are you married?" inquired my
pert cousin.
''Dear me, no! Never!" my friend
exclaimed. "Now don't you think hos
lucky fellow, Miss Mell?"
She thought that was, poor girl,
but l did not have an opportunity for
learning her reason, for he engaged
her attention with an extended ac-
count of his idea of my luck. My aunt
flowed off into long recital concern
ing the dulness of life at Newport,
which my cousin frequently inter-
rupted with expressions of dissent or
approval. 1 responded with obs, abs
and indeeds, and furtively watched
Branton as he served the oysters. His
usually ruddy face was as pale as M
Poyerty's, his hands trembled as he
moved about at his duties, and he
seemed studiously.to avoid the glances
of the whole company. l wanted to
smile at him and if possible cheer him
up with wink, but he simply would
not be winked at.
"What a lovely butler you have p
exclaimed Lyvla, as he left the room
| for the third course, the roast he had
taken so much pains over, the pota-
Toes 1 had cut my hands in peeling,
the peas we Gad purchased IN a can
and boiled or stewed, or something
like that.
"A splendid-looking fellow. I re.
| marked TO Nanuegust JUST before you
came" Carter said. 81 think he was
lucky to get him. Don't you think he
was lucky, Miss Mell?"
Her reply was inaudible. Bran
tons return necessitated new line o.
conversation. So that he might have
"A little fun out of it, l spoke of the
cook.
"If you will pardon my burdenine
you with my housekeeping woes"
ventured, "1 will ask your advic,
about cook. 1 can't get goot
one."
II think he or she does very vel
indeed" said my aunt
| 'But good ones won't stay"
ga matter of days out l suppose p
"Perhaps you don't pay them, wen
tured Carter, facetiously.
l laughed at this, and succeeded il
bestowing wink on the butler, where
upon he Immediately dropped thu
precious dish OF potatoes, 20 that they
went tracking over Holwood's fine olc