The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-12-15

FRANCES, II only to say goodby. bu
sue wouldn't see me. She sent wort
that she wasn't feeling well and
| wouldn't be disturbed"
| Her sobs mastered her again NM
she stopped. I could see the look O,
amazement on our juniors face and
uu not wonder at 1t. What sudden
dislike could her mistress have con
ceived against this inofrensiye and de-
voted creaturef
You say this other maid was /,
+ strangerT he asked.
| Yes. SIR: she'd never been in the
house before. SO far as know. Miss
FRANCES brought her back with her In
the carriage"
sheT A" -
The girl hesitated.
she looked like a foreigner. sir"
she said at last "a Frenchwomon
maybe. by the way she rolls her r.s"
IL prieked up my ears. The same
thousht occurred at that instant to
Doth Mr.. Royce and myself.
Does she resemble Mis-. Holladay -
he asked quickly.
Miss Holladay7 Oh. no, sir. She's
much older-her hairs quite gray"
Wen. certainly, Miss Holiday had
the right to choose any maid she
pleased and to discharge any or all of
her servants; and yet it seemed
strangely unlike her to show sucb
seeming Injustice to any one.
You say she sent down word that
she was ill?" said Mr.. Royce Mt last
was she Ill when you dressed herr"
Why, SIR" she answered SLOWLY "I
Touidnt exactly say she was III, but
she seemed troubled about something
l think she'd been crying. She's been
crying good deal. Off and on, since
her father died. poor thing she added
lhat would explain 1t, certainly. and
vet grief for her father might not be
the only cause Of Frances Holladav,s
tears.
but she didn't seem vexed with
your ~
"Oh. NO. sir: she gave ME a brooch
as told you"
Il fear can't promise You INV.
thing" said Mr.. Royce slowly. after n
moments thought. "Of course ,t's
none OF my business. for Miss Holiday
must arrange her household to suit
herself; yet. IL you don't get back with
your old mistress. I may perhaps be
aoie 10 md you position somewhere
else. Suppose you come back in three
or foHr days. and I'll see what can
do" "
"All right. sir. and thank YOU" she
said. and left the ONCE.
had some work Of my own to keen
me busy that night, SO devoted no
thought to Frances Holiday and her
Affairs, but they were recalled to me
with renewed force next morning.
"Iad You get Miss Hoiladay's sig.
nature to that conveyance" Mr.. Gra-
mo. sir" answered Mr. Royce, with
Just "A trace Of embarrassment. II
called at the house last night, but she
sent down word that she was too Ill
to see me Of to transact any business"
Nothing serious. hope" asked the
Sther quickly.
mo. sir. think not Just a trace
Of nervousness, probably"
But when he called again at the
house that evening he received a SIM
liar message. supplemented with the
news impaired by the butler. servant
OF many years standing In the family,
that Miss Holiday had suddenly de.
cided to leave the city and opo1 her
country place on Long Island. 1t was
only the end Of March, and 50 a full
two months and more ahead Of the
p,,t ,I,n \
was not able to leave her room. indeed,
anu believed the fresh air md quiet
Of the cousltry would do more than
anything else to restore her shattered
nerves. So the whole household, with
the exception Of her maid, cook,
house girl and underbutler. were to
leave the city next day in order to get
the country house ready at once.
Il don't wonder she needs little
toning up" remarked our chief SYM
pathetically. "She has gone through
nerve trying ordeal. especially for
girl reared as she has been. Two
or three months Of quiet will do her
good. When does she expect to leaveT
'In about a week, I think. The time
hasn't been definitely set 1t Will de-
pend upon how the arrangements go
forward. 1t won't be necessary, will
1t. to bother her with any details Of
business? That conveyance, for In
stance
.lCan wait till she gets back. No. we
won't bother her at all"
But 1t seemed that she had either i'm.
proved or changed her mind. for two
days later note, which her maid had
written for her, came to Mr. Graham
| asking him to call upon her In the
' course Of the next twenty-four hours
as she wished to talk over some mat
! tsrs Of business with him. 1t struck
me as singular that she should ask foI
Mr.. Graham, but our senior called q
cab and atarted of Mt once without