Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-08-30

Il
morning that 1 would leave, but 1
lacked the courage. The dear soul!
1t will be many day before 1 find
| place that suits me as this does.'
| "Why are you leaving, then" she
| asked.
| "You may not think mine the best
of reasons. / am leaving because Mrs.
Basset is to receive another boarder-
| q woman"
"Yes?" Clearly she expected him to
say more.
II understand she is one of those ap-
| palling creatures they call new wom-
en-" he went on, unconsciously glad of
a confdante. "She supports herself,
you know, teaches school, and even
writes-books on abstruse subjects"
| Dear! Dearw calculated the pretty
housemaid.
| Sympathy is sweet. If any one had
told Alexander Freer that morning he
would have been glad of its gift from
a housemaid he would have been in
credulous. But here he was, hugging
it to his fiattered SOUL and fishing for
more. He told her how he had never
| known a 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 l must
give it up. can never face that gaunt
| creature in spectacles, who will talk
pendantically to me across the table
three times day!
docs 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 lectures. She
might induce me to take up municipal
reform. She"-the sweat Of fear
breaking out on his forehead-"migh
give me worsted slippers-or a birth
day edition Of poems-she mightr'
"That's so," assented a solemn little
voice from the ladder. In the silence
that followed they heard the hall clock
strike.
"Fourw Freer exclaimed. $50 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, Miss-Miss-"
"Jean," she prompted.
"Miss Jean-and take this" There
was 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-
setw
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 confound-
ed owner of the latter-the girl on the
ladder.
"Jeanette!" she cried. "My dear!
What does this mean"
81 did not intend coming until to-
morrow" Miss Jeanette Wallace had
descended from her elevated seat and
was greeting her friend warmly. Il
changed my mind at the last minute
and came. Now I'm going to change
it again-and go away"
"Mr. Freer," pleaded the embar-
rassed landlady, what is all this
about?"
"AIy blunder madam" he cried, re-
morsefully. "Took this young lady for
the housemaid and asked her to help
me pack my books. beg your pardon.
I'm sure!"
"But-packing! Were you going to
leave? Oh, Mr.. Freer! And, all on ac-
count Of"
"Of mew cried Jeanette gayly. But
I shan't be your boarder, Mrs. Basset
Mr. Freer will stay"
Whereat Mr.. Freer Immediately de-
yeloped a most extraordinary contra
dictoriness.
mot unless you do" he declared,
stubbornly.
Mrs. Basset looked helplessly from
one 10 lue oluei.
"Well, it's all right now," said 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
familiar figure walked beside her
through the rain.
This is rashr' she cried. ut is
almost as bad as taking me to lectures!
But l haven't given you worsted sllp-
pers yet-nor u birthday edition OF
poems"
Alexander Freer held the umbrella
lower-leaned closer.
mo, but there is a gift I'd dearly
love to have, little Jean-and only you
can give it to me"
"Ohw said Jean softly.-Chicago
Tribune.