Middletown transcript., 1907-05-11
Light Of Christmas Candles
BY ELEANOR HoYT

CTS, MhNCh1ASOAAO; 0hA SOFN0S0
your cook. 1t is in all modesty |
| say it. One is born with the
genius. One deserves little
credit. I considered the offers.
The Belmore family had need of
both cook and a butler. They
are not the true aristocrats but
they are not without grand
fathers, and they have money.
One must make conoessions-and
certainly it was an advantage that
they needed, too, a butler. Surely
Mademoiselle remembers Wat
kins?
Miss Vanderveck nodded. The
imposing Watkins |! No one could
forget him, Francoise.
Exactly, Mademoiselle Me, l
had become used to Watkins.
He was of an intelligence, OF a
sensibility, and of fgure-Mon
Dieu! What a figure superb for
a butler he has! So that I would
not lose him I married him, We
are with the Belmores, who are
now on the Riviera, while we
guard the house here. They are
not of the highest. Ihave already
said it. But what would you?
1t is a compromise.
The two women had turned off
the avenue and walked westward
along a side street until the de-
sirable residence district was far
behind them. Finally, Miss Van
derveck stopped before new and
cheap apartment-house.
| I live here, she said with a
touch of hauteur. The pride in
her face had driven out the soft
ness, yet she spoke gently. I
will not ask you to come up,
Francoise 1t is late. You were
kind to see me safely home and
it has been pleasant to meet you;
but for the people who knew me
in the old days I do not exist.
You will oblige me by remember
ing that, Francoise.
The suggestion was a royal
command.
But, Mademoiselle, you will
surely permit that I, Francoise,
come to see that you are well.
| There were genuine tears in
the imploring eyes and Miss Van.
derveck relented. Yes, you may
come.
And for the Christmas You
will be alone, is it not
The pale, thin face looked a
trifle paler, a trife thinner. Yes,
| she would be alone.
If 'Mademoiselle would but do
me a favor, for the sake of the
old service, stammered the
French woman. Watkins and L,
we also are alone. It is not good
to pass the Noel so without the
fete, the gayety. Not to prepare
a Christmas dinner l, Fran
coise, to fold my hands when the
day of dinners is come 1t would
be of a sadness, Of a waste. When
one has the genius one owes
something to the world. One
must find expression. If Made
moiselle would but permit that
we should offer her her Christ
mas dinner
Miss Vanderveck's face was
, forbidding. but Francoise STUN
bled desperately on.
There would then be a true
. Christmas fete for us,-to be
allowed to serve you, to prove
that we have not forgotten your
goodness, that there is the SER
vice of love. From my heart !
could plan dinner. I feel now
the inspiration within me.
. She stopped for breath; but
Miss Vanderveck did not speak.
If the thing had not been incred-
J ible one would have said that the
firm lips were trembling and that
, there was a mist in the proud
brown eyes,
FRANCHISE took heart of grace.
Mademoiselle would think of
nothing, know nothing. Me, I
+ would prepare everything. Wat.
kins would serve-and we would
be of happiness. For Christ
mas present to US, you will say
, "yes." Is it not?
She stopped, dismayed by her
own hardihood. No thunderbolt
fell.
Miss Vanderveck stood looking
at her with a beautiful light in
her eyes.
You are good woman, Fran.
, coise-a loyal friend. am glad
to know there are such as you.
1t seems I have misiudged the
. world.
FRANCHISE laughed a gay little
| laugh of relief and delight.