The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-01
Mrs. Basset's Boarder.

Mrs. Basset was dismayed to the verge
of tears
II never thought you'd take it so hard
| sir" she said
How long have I boarded with You,
Mrs. Basset?"
Seven years come September, sir"
quite right. During that time you
have occasionally accommodated men
| who wished to board mere, but never wo-
men. 1 understood that no woman was
10 be received here. For the last year
| I have been the only boarder. and the
| solitude has been delightful. Now, tn 5
| woman
I'm that Sorry The emotion in her
voice was genuine. When she wrote
and asked me 10 let her come l said yes
right off. Once. sir, long way back,
before John and me were married. ! was
in service with Miss Jeanette's mother
| They were rich folks then, and held their
| heads high. All that's changed now. 1t 5
me and John that have done well and
got money out 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 ven
| tured.
"She is president of one and secretary
of another. She is bright"
He muttered something about twenty
four hours of grace, and went off TO his
big, beautiful front room, wherein were
gathered together his accumulation Of
] literary and artistic treasures. An hour
later he opened his door in response to
a tentative knock.
I'D like to ask you a favor. Mr..
| Freer, SIR began Mrs. Basset. I've
| just got a telephone 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 is. I thought-seeing
you were staying IN, sir
"Yes. That's all right"
| but it's Thursday, and Della is going
out. The new housemaid was to come
at g. 1 thought-if it wouldn't be ask
ing too much--if you'd let her in when
she rings
Certainly Any directions?
mo. She won't need to do anything
| till l get back Thank you, sir
| She took her portly person away, and
J Alexander Freer went back to his book.
/ He left his door wide that he might hear
| the ring. He did hear 1t an hour after
! Delia's cracking skirts on the stairs had
indicated her festive departure. He went
down, opened the door. The girl In the
vestibule wore trim black gown. tan
! Jacket, and an audacious little spring
! nat.
Mrs Basset was obliged to go out
he explained. 1.-The cook is also absent.
You are the new housemaid, I believe
Come in Mrs. Basset desired NE TO
mention there would be no task for you
! until her return"
For a moment she regarded him blank
| ". Then her lips dropped. 81 am sor-
ry," she said. advancing. She took off
| her hat and jacket and hung them up.
! 81 wonder ne cried, in a somewhat
volcanic fashion, 'ff you would be good
enough to help me pack my books and
etchings? can bring my packing
boxes out OF the basement I am going
| to change my quarters. We would have
few hours before Mrs. Basset gets
| home" he went on. hastily Il shall be
glad to pay we'll for the assistance"
| The mik-white skin grew pink under
| his glance. For moment she did not
reply.
| ~ will help you" she consented
| Somewhere in the kitchen regions she
found and donned a big blue check
apron. She presented herself al the first
| room Of his suite, her sleeves rolled up,
| a soft old cloth in one hand. feather
| buster in the other. The woman-ha' er
watched her as she worked with an anx-
| iety that finally merged in comp'acence.
! How well she knew how to handle a
book!
81 feel like a criminal he told her,
| laughing. II know now how men feel
who go off leaving their board bill -un-
paid. I tried to tell Mrs. Basset this
morning that I would leave. but l lacked
| the courage The dear soul! 1t will be
many a day before I find a place that
suits me as this does"
"Why are you leaving. then?" she
asked
you may not think mine the best of
| reasons. I am leaving because Mrs
Basset is 10 receive another boarder-a
woman"
"Yes?" Clearly she expected him to
| say more.
81 understand she is one of those ap-
palling creatures they call new women"
he went on. unconsciously glad OF a con-
fdante ''she supports herself you
| know, teaches school. and even writes
books on abstruse subjects"
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 her to lectures. She might
induce nae to take up municipal reform
She"-the sweat OF fear breaking out on
his forehead-"might give me wOrsted
slippers-or birthday edition OF poems
she night
That's So" assented a solemn little
voice from the ladder. In the silence that
followed they heard the hall clock strike
Four Freer exclaimed $50 late!
Mrs Bssset may be back any minute
Hark. Isn't that her now" He STUN
bled to his feet. looking Ike a detected
schooIboy. There, One box is ready.
anyhow You must let me thank you.
Miss-Miss-'
Jean" she prompted.
Miss Jean-and take this" There was
sound OF the door. which had been
opened with a lstohkey. swinging again.
heavy step came up the stairs You
are welcome. but I can't take any
money. Here ls Mrs. Basset,"
And there. Indeed. was that worthy
woman. leaning AGAINST the open door
and staring in wild establishment at the
scene presented. The packing cases-the
heaped up books-the confounded owner
of the lstter-the girl on the ladder
Jeanette" she cried MY dear, What
does this mean?''
81 did not intend coming until tom-r-
row Miss jeanette Wallace hal de-
| seconded from her elevated seat ard was
greeting her friend Warmly 81 changed
my mind a. the last minute-an5' came
Now I'm going 10 change Il asain-and
20 away"
Mt Freer.' pleaded the embarrassed
landladv what * all this about2'
MY blunGer. madam ne cried. re-
TnorsefulIy Took this young lad for
tire housemai5 ard asked her to help m
pack my books. I beg her pardon. I'm
sure
"Fut-pscking, Were you going to
ieave2 Oh M. Freer, And al on ac-