Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-08-29
Mrs. Basset's BOarder.

AeeeeeeeeeeeefeeeE&EEG&GS
A0RS. BASSET was dismayed to
W the verge Of ,s; tears, ..,,., ..,. :,
70 hard. SIR" she said.
How long have 1 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. 1 understood that no womaT
was to be received here. For the last
year 1 have been the only boarder and
the solitude has been delightful. Now,
this woman"
I'm that Sorry The emotion in her
voice was genuine. when size wrote
and asked me TO let her come, said yes
right OF. Once, sir, 4 long way back,
before John and me We're married, 1
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 well 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, l suppose" he
ventured
''She 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-witL
her presenceT'
"Not-not before tomorrow after
noon, SIR"
He muttered something about twen-
ty-four hours Of grace, and went off to
his big, beautiful front room, whereiL
were gathered together his accumula-
don of literary and artistic treasures.
A moment later he opened his door in
response to a tentative knock. I'D like
to ask you a favor, Mr.. Freer, SIR" be-
gan Mrs. Basset I've just got a tele-
phone message that my sister, who
lives on the West Side, has come down
with pneumonia. She's the only sister
I've got, and I'm worried to know how
bad she it. l thought-seeing 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 8. 1 thought-if it wouldn't be
asking too much-if you'd let her in
when she rings"
Certainly. Any directionsF'
mo She won't need tn 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 he might
hear the ring. He did hear 1t In an
hour after Delia's cracking skirts on
the stairs had Indicated her festive de-
Darture. He went down. opened the
door, The girl in the vestibule wore a
tfim black gown. tan jacket, and an
audacious little spring hat. She had
rippling reddish air and the milk-white
sk1n that goes with it, a scarlet mouth
and eyes of forget me-nOt blue. SOAe-
thing singularly youthful and fragile
In the lifted eyes. appealed to him.
Mrs. Basset was obliged to go out"
he explained THE cook is also absent,
You are the new housemaid, beliey
Come In. Mrs. Basset desired me to
mention there would be no task for you
until her return"
For a moment she regarded him
blankly Then her lips dropped. II am
sorry," she said, advancing. She took
OF her hat and Jacket and hung them
ND. II could do n 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
fight? But he could not pack his pre-
cious possessions himself.
II wonder" he cried, in a somewhat
volcanic fashion, 'if you would be good
enough to help me pack my books and
stchings? l can bring my packing
boxes out Of the basement. l am going
to change my quarters. We would have
q few hours before Mrs. Basset gets
nome, ne went Oh, shdii pc
glad to pay we'll for the assistance"
The milk-white skin grew pink under
Als glance. For a moment she did not
reply.
Twill help you," she consented.
Somewhere In the kitchen regions she
found and donned a big blue check
apron. She presented herself at the
Ar~k ~ IL I<Ad
up, q soft old cloth In one hand, feath-
OF duster in the other. The woman
hater watched her as she worked with
an anxiety that finally merged in com
pIacence. How well she knew how to
handle book!
Il feel like a criminal" he told her.
laughing. Il know now how men feel
who go off leaving their board bill un
paid. l tried to tell Mrs Basset this
morning that would leave, but lack
ed the courage. The dear soul! 1t will
be many day before l find place that
suits me as this does"
Why are you leaving, thenT' she
asked.
You may not think mine the best OF
reason. l am leaving because Mrs. Bas
set is to receive another boarder-a
woman"
Yes" Clearly she expected him to
say more.
palling creatures they call n~w WON