Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-08-29
: MRS. BASSET'S BOARDER !
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 5 ;
RS. BASSET was dismayed
to the verge Of tears.
Il never thought you'd


.said
''How long have boarded with you,
Mrs. Basset:"
"Seyen years come September, SIR
"Quite right. During that time you
haye occasionally accommodated men
who wished to board here, but never
women. understood that no woman
was to be received here. For the last
year have been the only boarder, and
the solitude has been delightful. Now,
dhis womaE-'
I'm that sorryv' The emotion in her
voice was genuine. "When she wrote
and asked me to let her come I said
yes right off. Once, sir, long way
back. before John and me were mar
ried, I was in service with Miss jean
~ette's mother. They were rich folks
then, and held their heads high. All
that's changed now. It's me and John
that have done we'll 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"
-ventured.
,"She is President OF one ard Sccrc-
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?"
-
moon, sir..''
He muttered something about twen-
-ty-four hours Of grace, and went off to
his big, beautiful front room, wherein
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'ye 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. thought-see-
ing you We're staying in, sir"
eyes That's all right
''But it's Thursday, and Della is 60
1ng out. The new housemaid was to
come at s. 1 thought-if it wouldn't
be asking 100 much-if you'd let her
ln when she rings"
Certainly. Any directions?'
.'No. She won't need to do anything
aill I 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. IIc did hear it
IAN hour after Delia's cracking skirts
ION the stairs had indicated her festive
departure. He went down, opened the
door The girl in the vestibule wore
IL trim black gown, tan jacket, and
AN audacious little spring hat. She
has ripping reddish hair and the milk
white skin that goes with 1t, scar
aet mouth and eyes Of forset-me-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, !"
lie explained. '"The cock 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 he1 lips droopcd. Il
-<lm sorry," she said, advancing. She
took off her hat and jacket and hung
them UP. II could Go a good deal II
/ knew what was to be DONE
To do! Hadn't be been staring off
and on since breakfast at tAe dusty
books on his topmost shelves. Had he
not been cherishing 4 secret plan Oh
fight? But he could not pack his
precious possessions himself.
81 wonder" he cried, in somewhat
volcanic fashion, ''iff you would be
good enough to help me pack my books
and etchings? I can bring Ely packing
boxes out off the basement. I am go
ing to change my quarters. We would
have few hours before Mrs. Basset
gets home" he went on, hastily. Il
shall be glad to pay well for the as
Sistance."
The milk-wlite Sl1in, grew pink under