Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-07-20

SLs1oh W sim at once. didn't Know
the cottage was taken, Nora"
Nor did l, miss, till saw the man
working around there this morning"
Nora returned to her dishes and
Cynthia went out into the trinity kept
back yard of the Blake residence and
went to the low dividing fence. Her
dainty blue linen house gown was lift
ed above her pretty slippers and about
her waist there was tied ruffly lit
tie white apron. She was a re-
fresh1ng picture on this crisp autumn
morning-her fair face tinged with
rose color and her mist of black hair
pinned into some sembIance of order.
The man in the next yard turned his
basket into the ash bin and for the mo-
ment went into the obscurity of the
rising cloud Of dust. When he emery
ed 1t was Cynthias gentle little
sneeze that attracted his attention.
He turned and whipped off battered
cap.
Young man. began Cynthia, rather
diffidently. ARE you very busy just
now?"
Not too busy to be at your serv-
Ice, ma'am," said the man politely.
THANK you," she said Patrick
Flynn is laid up with rheumatism and
there isn't soul to help with the
cleaning and 1t must be done this
week. Can you wash windows and
beat sugs?"
Yes, ma am"
And clean the cellar and start the
furnace and all those things?"
For an instant he hesitated, and
then be said: "Yes, ma'am; 1t isn't ex-
actly IN my line. but I'm willing to
help you OUT
"You are very good indeed said
Cynthia. We've always paid Patrick
two dollars day, but If you can come
at onae will pay you three"
Wien shall Gomez" he asked,
as hs nodded with some embar-
rassm.nt.
IF sou could begin today" began
Cynthia more wistfully than she re-
allied. But suppose you are en-
gagged to clean the cottage flrst."
i Fave couple of weeks to do
that ia," replied the man In bust
ness-life tone. ''1'll lock the cottage
and come right orer"
| The new man, who told Cynthia his
name was Grey, worked like beav-
er. He beat rugs thoroughly yet with
care of one who knows the value Of
the article he handles. He cleaned
the floors and waxed and polished
them all till they ahone like mirrors
He washed windows and cleaned the
cellar and whitewashed 1t and laid q
fire In the furnace from which he
emerged with the face of coal heav-
/ er. but temper as CHEEKY as it had
been every day Each night Gym
thia had paid his wages into :. is toll
hardened palm and her gracious
thanks had accompanied the payment.
She learned very little about Grey
He spoke like an educated man and
occasionally he dropped hint that
led her to believe ne might have seen
better days; however, he always COW
| cred the hint with some openly igno-
rant remark that sisarmed any suspi-
cion she might otherwise have had
| concerning him. Her brother linger-
| ed a week In the mountains.
| When the last BIT of work was done
and Grey had polished the brass and
irons and replace: them before the
| library hearth Cynthia drew out her
| purse and paid him. II really don't
know what should have done with
out you, Grey" she was saying when
the door opened quickly and her
| brother entered.
| "Howdy, Cynthia, dear?" he said,
kissing her; then starting back he
stared at the grimy figure before him.
'For-the-love Of Mike-what arc
you doing here, Fsazer?" He made a
grab at the others hand and chung
| to it.
"F'razer?" repeated Cynthia. coldly
This man told me his name is Grey"
She looked disapprovingly at the
shame-faced young man before her. II
| trusted him." she sGded simply.
Grey Frazer, it is-you know his
pictures, sis, admired 'em in the mag
azines no end of tines! How in the
dickens did you cDrral him herein
this guise?'
Cynthia turned her back, while
| Grey Frazer explained to the amused
and shaking Dick that he had leased
the cottage around the corner and
| In lieu of the service of Patrick Flynn,
| whom he also had desired, he had set
| about to clean out the cottage himself
Then Cynthia had come to him for
help-and Mr.. Frazer modestly at
| tested that he had never failed maid.
en- in distress. All the time his eyes
We're watching Cyathia's back with
| deep trouble in their depths.
y sincerely beg Miss Blake's par
don for The deceit" he said, hum.
bly,. MY only excuse is that she
needed help. and Il she had known
who was she might not have accept.
| ed my assistance"
Cynthia turned and held out a hand.
81 am very grateful; fos your help, Mi.
Frazer" she murmured, cemurely. It
| Is an honor to meeI such distin-