Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-08-21
his glance. For a moment she did not


er duster in the other. The woman
hater watched her as she worked with
an anxiety that finally merged in COM
placence. How we'll she knew how to
handle a book!
Il feel like a criminal" he told her,
laughing. Il know now how men feel
who go off leaving their board bill I'M
paid. 1 tried to tell Mrs. Basset this
morning that would leave, but lack
ed the courage. The dear soul! 1t will
be many a day before find place that
suits me as this does.''
''Why are you leaving, then?" she
asked.
You may not think mine the best of
reason. 1 am leaving because Mrs. Bas
set is to receive another boarder-a
woman"
'Yes?" Clearly she expected him to
say more.
Il understand she is one Of those ap-
palling creatures they call new wom-
en-" he went on. 'She supports her
self, you know, teaches school, and even
writes-books on abstruse subjects"
OCdIs CJdCuAdlCO lAO pASl
housemaid.
Sympathy is sweet. If any one had
told Alexander Freer that morning he
would have been glad of it's gift from
a housemaid he would have been in
credulous. But here he was, hugging 1t
to his f1attered soul and fishing for
more. He told her how he had never
Iyr,1 c;, n To ,A{h n
died, when he was boy of 10. After
than there were schools and colleges.
Then travel, hotels and boarding
houses. Here" he concluded, 1--WE
been comfortably anchored for seven
years, with leisure for my own interests
and pursuits, and quite secure from in
terruption. But now 1 must give it up.
never can face that gaunt creature in
spectacles, who will talk pedantically
to me across the table three times a
day..
Does she wear spectacles"
Freer lifted his head out of the pack
ing case. I'm sure she does. They all
do-the clever ones. She might expect
me to take up municipal reform. She"
forehead might give me worsted
slippers-or birthday edition of poems
she mightv'
That's so," asseHted a solemn little
voice from the ladder. In the silence
that followed they heard the hall clock
strike.
"Fourv' Freer exclaimed. $50 late!
DO ha loa aly IN, 70
Hark! isn't that her now?" He STUN
bled to his feet, looking like detected
schoolboy. There! One box is ready,
anyhow. You must lei me thank you,
Miss-Miss-"
-"Jean," she prompted.
Miss Jean-and take this" There
was a sound of the door, which had
been opened with latchkey, swinging
shut again. A heavy step came up the
stairs. You are welcome, but 1 can't
take any money. Here is Mrs. Bas-
setv'
And there, indeed, was that worthy
woman, leaning against the open door
and staring in wild astonishment at the
scene presented. The packing cases
the heaped-up books-the confounded
owner Of the latter-the girl ON the lad
der.
"Jeanettew she cried. my dear.
What does this meant"
Il did not intend coming until to-mor-
row." Miss Jeanette Wallace had de-
scended from her elevated seat and was
greeting her friend warmly. 81 changed
4l,a To-
Now I'm going to change it again-and
go away"
"Mr. Freer," pleaded the embarrassed
landlady, "what is all this about?''
my blunder, madam!" he cried, re-
morsefully. '"Took this young lady for
the housemaid and asked her to help
me pack my books! 1 beg her pardon,
I'm sure!'
''But-packing! Were you going to
leave? Oh, Mr.. Freeri And all on ac-
count Of"
"Of mel" cried jeanette, gayly. But
1 shan't be your boarder, Mrs. Basset
Mr.. Freer will stay"
Whereat Mr.. Freer Immediately. de-
veloped most extraori nary con r..dic-
toriness.
"Not unless you do!' he declared
stubbornly.
Mrs. Basset looked helplessly from
one to the other.
''Well, it's all right now," sad Freer.
contentedly, land I'm going to unpack
these books and put them back where
they belong"
1t was pouring rain one afternoon a
couple of months later when Jeanette
Wallace came forth from a meeting Of
the Woman's Club. An umbrella was
raised as she stepped out, and famil-
lar figure walked beside her through
the rain.
''This is rash!" she cried. at is al
most as bad as taking me to lectures!
But haven't given you worsted Slip
pers yet-nor a birthday edition of
poemsw -.
Alexander Freer held the umbrella
lower-leaned closer.
mo, but there Is gift I'd dearly love
to have, little Jean-and only you can
give it to mel"
"Ohr' said Jean, softly.-Chicago
Tribune.
Mushroom Culture in France.
The annual crop Of mushrooms in