Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-08-16
Mrs. Basset's BOarder.
BASSET was dismayed

NnRS. BASSET was dismayed ia
Iml the verge Of tears.
ooS II never thought you'd take ii
30 hard. SIR" she said.
How long have boarded with you,
Mrs. Basset:"
"Seven years come September sir.
"Quite right. During that time you
have occasionally accommodated men
who wished to board here, but never
women. | understood that no woman
was to he received here. For tine last
year l have been the only boarder and
the solitude has been delightful. Now.
this wonan-"
I'm that sorry" The emotion in her
voice was genuine. when she wrote
and asked me to let her come, said yes
right Off. Once. sir, long way back,
before John and me We're married, l
was in service with Miss Jeannette's
mother. They were rich folks then.
and held their heads high. All that's
changed now. It's me and John that
have done we'll and got money Her
parents are dead. She supports herself
She teaches schoOl-night school. She
wouldn't be here in the evenings at all. :"
"She attends clubs, suppose" he
ventured.
"Shc is president of one and secretary
Of another. She is bright"
He groaned. His opportunities to
study the progress of women had been
limited.
when is she toto honor us-with
her presence"
"Not--not before tomorrow after
noon, sir"
He muttered something about TWEEN
tyfour hours of grace, and went Off to
his big, beautiful front room, wherein
We're gathered together his accumula-
ton of literary aud artistic treasures.
a moment later he opened his door in
response, to a tentative knock. I'D like
to ask you a favor MIR. Freer, sir" be-
gan Mrs Bassct. 1--we just got a tele.
phone message that my sister, who
lives on the West Side. has come down
with pneumonia. Shes the only sister
I've got, and I'm worried to know how
had she it. tllought-sceing how you
were staying in sir"
Yes. That's all right"
but it's Thursday, and Della is go.
ing out. The new housemaid was to
come at 3. Thoughtful it wouldn't he
asking too mucI-if you'd let her in
when she rings"
Certainly. Any drectfons:"
mo She won't need to do anything
till get back. Thank you, SIR"
She took her rortly person away, aud
Alexander Freer went back to his book.
He left his door wide that ne might
hear the ring. He did hear 1t In an
hour after Delia's cracking skirts on
the stairs had indicated her festive de-
parture. He went down, opened the
door. The girl In the vestibule wore a
trim black gown. a tan jacket, and an
audacious little spring hat. She had
ripping reddish air and the milk-white
skin that goes with 1t, scarlet mouth
and eyes of forget me-not blue. Some
thing singularly youthful and fragile
about the slight form, something lonely
IN the lifted eyes. appealed to him.
Mrs. Basset was obliged to 60 out"
he explained. 1.-The cook Is also absent.
You are the new housemaid, l believe.
Come In. Mrs Basset desired me to
mention there would be no task for you
until her return"
For moment she regarded him
blankly. Then her lips dropped Il am
sorry she said, advancing. She took
off her hat and jacket and hung them
up. Il could do good deal II knew
what was to be DONE"
To do! Hadn't he been staring of
and on since breakfast at the dusty
books on his topmost shelves. Had he
not been cherishing secret plan of
flight? But he could not pack his pre-
cious possessions himself.
II wonder" he cried. In a somewhat
volcanic fashion, III you would be good
enough to help me pack my books and
etchings? l can bring my packing
boxes ont Of the basement. I am going
to change my quarters. We would have
q few hours before Mrs. Basset gets
home" he went on. hastily. Il shall be
glad to pay we'll for the assistance"
The milk-white skin grew pink under