The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-08-22
his glance. For moment she did not

apron. She presented herself at the
first room of his suite. her sleeves
rolled up, 4 soft old cloth in one hand,
feather duster in the other. The
woman-hater watched her as She
worked with an anxiety that 1inalS
merged in complacence. How well
she knew how to handle book!
II feel like criminal" he told her.
laughing. Il know now how men feel
who 60 off leaving their board bill un-
paid. 1 tried to tell Mrs. Basset this
morning that 1 would leave, but l
lacked the courage. The dear soul.
1t will be many Il day before find 4
place that suits me rs this does"
why are you leaving, them She
asked.
"You may not think mine the best
of reasons. l am leaving because Mrs.
Basset is to receive another boarder-
] 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, unconsciously glad Of
q contidantc. 'She supports herself,
you know, teaches school, and even
writes books on abstruSe subjects
Dear. Dear calculated the pretty
housemaid.
Sympathy is sweet. II any one had
told Alexander Frcer that morning he
would have been glad Of its gift from
a housemaid he would have been i'll
crcdulous. But here he was. hugging
it to his flattered soul. and fishing for
more. He told her how he had never
known real home since his mother
died, when he was boy Of ten. After
that there were schools and colleges.
Then travel, hotels and boarding
houses. Here" he concluded, I've
been comfortably anchored for seven
years. with leisure for my own inter
ests and pursuits. and quite secure
from interruption. But now 1 must
give it up. 1 can never face that gaunt
creature in spectacles. who will talk
pendantically to me across the table
three times q day."
Docs she wear spectacles"
Freer lifted his head out Of the pack
ins case. I'm sure she does. They
all do-the clever ones. She might
expect me. to take her lectures. She
might induce ME to take up municipal
reform. She"-thc sweat Of fear
breaking out on his forehead-"might
give me worsted slippers-or a birth
day edition of poems-she might.
That's So" assented solemn little
voice from the ladder. In the silence
that followed they heard the hall clock
strike.
Four Freer exclaimed. 80 late!
Mrs. Basset may be back any minute
Hark! Isn't that her now" He
stumbled to his feet, looking like
detected schoolboy. There One box
is ready, anyhow. You must let me
thank you, MlsS--M!ss
jean" she prompted.
Miss Jean-and take this" There
was a seund of the door. which had
been opened with latchkey, swinging
shut again. A heavy step came up the
stairs. You are welcome. but l can't
take any money. Here is Ms. Bas-
set"'
And there. indeed, was that worthy
woman. leaning against the open door
and. staring lin wild astonishment at
the scene presented. The packing cases
the 'heapet up books-the coniound-
cd owner ofethe Iattcr-the girl on the
,,a5or -:
Jeanette" she cried. MY dear!
What does this mean:"
II did not intend coming until to-
morrow" Miss jeanette Wallace had
descended from her elevated. seat and
was greeting her'frier6 warmly. Il
changed my mind at the last minute
and came. Now I'm going to change
it agaIn-and so away"
MIR. Freer," pleaded the embar-
rassed landlady, what is all this
about" -.
My blunder. madaESIhc cried, re-
morsefully., Took thiS young lady for
r,he housemaid and asSf4 lfr, TO help
mo. pack myineoks. beg E.oH pardoSi
: INF surc~
"But-packing! Were you going to
leave? Oh, Mr.. Freer. And all on ac-
count Of" V.
"Of me" cried Jcannette gayly. But
I shan't be youtho6hder, Mrs. Basset.
Mr.. Treer win 'sMy.~'