The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-01-11
| E1xzzE~.x

strongly inclined TO make a bolt for
it then and there. as the readiest
way out of the difficulty. Railton
drew me up the stairs. however, and.
much against my will, | was forced
10 make my appearance at the door
OF the morning room.
One glance inside was enough.
That female assembly. of all ages
and conditions apparently, was too
much for me. | beat a precipitate
retreat, treading on Railton's toes,
who was trying to peep over my
shoulder. as / did so.
| What am | 10 do?" I asked in
dismay, when the door was safely
| closed.
Step across 10 the room over
there and let the waiter show them
| in one by one" suggested Railton.
| I'll help you 10 sort them out and
make a choice. III remain quietly
! in the background and pretend TO
be occupied with a newspaper. If |
| cough, you will know that | object;
but il l rub my chin-this way, you
understand-you may take ii as
| SISh VI approval.
/ consented. The waiter was in
| structed, and we took up our posi-
| tions in the room opposite, though
not without considerable qualms and
misgivings on my part.
The first to be shown in was a
tall, angular, bony creature, with the
air of a drum major. She marched
| nj ft ,.s,
me time 10 speak, opened on me with
fire OF questions regarding my
aunt. particularly as to her views op
certain church questions. Railton
was seized with a most distressing
| fit of coughing. 1T which she turned
and glared at h!m--or, rather, at the
newspaper, for he was completely
buried behind it.
| Next, gentleman. please-lady, ]
mean" he called out to the waiter,
when we had got rid of her. Con-
| found him! He seemed to be quite
enjoying the thing, while ! felt most
horribly uncomfortable
! The next was a timid little old
| maid who couldn't have looked
cheerful If she had been paid for it;
the next. a fippant damsel of the
| housemaid type, who talked about
my "hant" and sailed out OF the
room with her nose in the air when
| / said | was afraid she wouldn't suit
! And so il went on. AS one after
| another was shown in ! heard the
warning cough from behind the
newspaper, until | positively felt
| that | could stand it no longer.
Shall l give it up?" | said TO
| Railton, during a pause in the pro-
ceedings, wiping my hot face.
mo, no." ne grinned. Go on,
my boy; you are doing remarkably
| we'll"
| brsced myself for the ordeal
again, and went on. But it was no
use. Every fresh applicant. as /
! knew very well, would have caused
my aunt to hold up her hands in
! horror. Some were cheerful enough,
it is true; but | had a strong sus-
| picion that their cheerfulness was
| derived from that source 10 which
the immortal Mrs. Camp was wont
to turn for comfort.
/ was just about TO give MP in
| despair when the waiter made his
appearance once more and an
! nounced:
| Miss Lucy Maynard"
| / glanced toward the door and the
next second was on my feet, tender
| ing chair 10 a young and extremity
pretty girl, who came into the yoom
with the most charming air OF shy
ness and timidity.
| Evidently she was quite out of
place in such situation as this, and
glanced at me as though | was some
harsh, stern-fsced judge, in whose
features she wished TO read her
fate.
In few simple words she told me
her story. Her parents were dead;
until lately she had resided with an
| aunt, who was dead also. She was
alone in the world, and wished TO
secure q situation as companion for
the sake OF home.
You may find the country draw
back in this instance" / said.
Il love the country" she an
swered, looking at me with those
truthful eyes Of hers.
And | fear the salary is small;
only thirty pounds a year"
"Oh, IL is ample; more than I had
dared TO hope for. And / should be
so grateful IL you could arrange that
l should be given a trial"
A trial she should have; OF that
I was determined. II struck me Just
then that / had not yet ascertsine1
Railton's opinion. and glanced round
at him. The newspaper was laid
fat across his knees, but he was so
taken up with Miss Maynard that he
had quite forgottes 20 rub his chin.
He remembered II the sext moment,