Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-08-22


have occasionally accommodated meI
who wished to board here, but never
women. l understood that no woman
was to be received here. For the last
year l have been the only boarder, and
the solitude has been delightful Now,
this WOMAN
I'm that Sorry The emotion in her
voice was genuine. when she wrote
and asked me to let her come l said
yes right off. Once, sir, long way
back. before John and me were mar
ried, l was in service with Miss Jean
then, and held their heads high. All
that's changed now. It's me and John
that have done well and got money
out. Her parents are dead. She sup
ports herself. She teaches school
night school. She wouldn't be here
In the evenings at all"
"She attends clubs, l suppose" he
ventured.
''She is President Of one and Secrc-
tary 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, siri'
He muttered something about TWEEN
tyfour hours of grace, and went off to
III In
were gathered together his accumula-
ton 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. l thought-see-
ing 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 3. l Thoughtful it wouldn't
be asking 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
Alexander Freer went back to his
book. He left his door wide that he
might hear the ring. He did hear it
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 hat. She
has ripping reddish hair and the milk
white skin that goes with it, scar
let mouth and eyes of forgetme-not
blue. Something singularly youthful
and fragile about the slight form,
something lonely in the lifted eyes, ap-
pealed to Him.
Mrs. Basset was obliged to go out"
he explained. THE cook is also alb
sent. You are the new housemaid, l
believe. Come in. Mrs. Basset de-
sired me to mention there would be
no task for you until her return"
For a moment she regarded him
blankly. Then her lips dropped. Il
am sorry" she said, advancing. She
took off her hat and jacket and hung
them up. Il could do a good deal if
l 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 a secret plan of
flight? But he could not pack his
precious possessions himself
Il WONDER" he cried, in a somewhat
volcanic fashion, ''if you would be
good enough to help me pack my books
and etchings? l can bring my packing
boxes out CT the basement. 1 am go
ing to change my quarters. We would
have 4 few hours before Mrs. Basset
gets home" he went Oh, hastily. II
shall be glad to pay we'll for the as
sistance."
The milk-white skin grew pink under
his glance For a moment she did not
reply
Il will help YOU" she consented.
Somewhere in the kitchen regions
she found and donned big blue check
apron. She presented herself at the
first room of his suite, her sleeves
rolled up, soft old cloth in one hand,
4 feather buster in the other The
woman Halter watched her as she
worked with an anxiety that finally
merged in complacence. How we'll
she knew how to handle Il book!
Il feel like a criminal he told her,
laughing. Il know now how men feel
who go off leaving their board bill un~
paid. l tried to tell Mrs. Basset this
morning that 1 would leave, but
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, them" she
asked.
"You may not think mine the best
of reasons. l am leaving because Mrs
Basset is to receive another boarder-
j woman"
Yes" Clearly she expected him to
say more.
Il understand she is one CT those aD-
pallins creatures they call new wom-
en- he went Oh, unconsciously glad of
a conhGante. she supports herself.
you know, teaches school. and even
writes books en- abstruse subjects"
Dear! Dear" calculated the pretty
housemaid.
Sympathy is sweet. II any one had
told Alexander Freer that morning he
would have been glad of its gift from
IA housemaid he would have been in
credulous. But here he was. hugging
it to his fattered 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