Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-08-21
Mrs. Basset's B0arder.


N0RS. BASSET was dismayed to
JM the verge of tears.
coS Il never thought you'd take it
SO hard, SIR" she said.
"How long have l 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. l understood that no woman
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
and asked me to let her come, said yes
right off. Once, sir, long way back,
before John and me were 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. y
'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-with
her presence"
"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, wherein
were gathered together his accumula-
ton of literary and artistic treasures.
A moment later he opened his door in
response to tentative knock. 'I'd like
to ask you a favor, Mr.. Freer, sir,' be-
gan Mrs. Basset. 1--WE just got 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 60
ing out. The new housemaid was to
come at 8. thought-if it wouldn't be
asking too much-if you'd let her in
when she rings"
, Certainly. Any directions:'
'ENn She won't need to do anythinc O.
till 1 get back. Thank you, sir"
She took her rortly person away, and
Alexander Freer went back to his book.
He left his door wide that ne might
hear the ring. He did hear it 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, tan jacket, and an
audacious little spring hat. She had
ripping reddish lair and the milk-white
skin that goes with 1t, a 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 go out, "
he explained. "The cook is also absent
You are the new housemaid, 1 believe
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. 'I am
sorry," she said, advancing. She took
off her hat and jacket and hung them
up. 81 could do a good deal if knew
what was to be DONE"
To do! Hadn't he been staring off
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.
81 WONDER" he cried, in a somewhat
volcanic fashion, eff you would be good
enough to help me pack my books and
etchings? L can bring my packing
boxes out of the basement. I am going
to change my quarters. We would have
a few hours before Mrs. Basset gets
home" he went on, hastily. II shall be
glad to pay well for the assistance"
The milk-white skin grew pink under