Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-08-30
J MRS. BASSET'S BOARDER


|
said.
How long have 1 boarded with you,
Mrs. Basset"
Seven years come September, SIR"
"Quite right. During that time you
have occasionally accommodated men
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 We're mar
ried, l was in service with Miss jean
ette's mother. They were rich folks
then, and held their heads high. All
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, 1 suppose" he
ventured.
"She is President of one and Secre-
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, 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. "Id
like to ask you a favor, Mr.. Freer,
SIR" began Mrs. Basset. I've just got
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 were staying In, sir"
Yes. That's all right"
"But it's Thursday, and Della is 60
Ing out. The new horsemaid was to
come at 8. I thoughtful it wouldn't
be asking too much-if you'd let her
In when she rings"
"Certainly. Any directions?"
"No. She won't need to do anything
till 1 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 forget-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"
he explained. 1.-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
| cbn
took off her hat and jacket and hung
them up. 81 could do a good deal if
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 cherlshing a secret plan of
fight? But he could not pack his
precious possessions himself.
II wonder" he cried, in n somewhat
volcanic fashion, "if you would be
good enough to help me pack my books
and etchlngs? l can bring my packing
boxes out of the basement. l am 60
ing to change my quarters. We would
| have a few hours before Mrs. Basset
gets home" he went on, hastily. 81
shall be glad to pay well for the as
sistance."
The milk-white skin grew pink under
his glance. For moment she did not
reply.
| II 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,
a feather duster in the other. The
woman-hater watched her as she
worked with an anxiety that finally
merged in complacence. How well
she knew how to handle a book!
Il feel like a criminal" he told her,
laughing. Il know now how men feel