The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-12-25
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Star Boarder
By EVELYN LEE
Copyright. 1919. ~ tho Western News
paper Cnion.)

to pass last day and night with the
closest friend l have in the world, Eff
fie Worrell, who is going to California,
and my maid, that worthless Nora,
ran of and got married and has left me
In the lurch."
"HOw romantic" animatedly com
mented Drusilla Liscomb, the young
est of the family OF four girls. "Oh,
Aunty, dear. tell us all about 1t !"
What nonsense" cried Miss Dunn.
martha, do you bring up your chill
dren with such ridiculous notions? No,
I'll not tell you that lot Of sentimental
rubbish I'm too wrought up over the
predicament in which this has placed
me. | have no one to take care of the
house while I'm gone and l can't lock
1t up. There's the two gentlemen in
the bank and Mrs. Morse, who Is an
invalid, and a new ledger, a Mr.. AL
ling. Only yesterday he leased the
front suite and / promised to have 1t
In living shape for him by this eve
ming. Can't you help me out, Mar
thar
"Why, the three older girls are
away" explained Mrs. Liscomb.
But I'm here" burst in Drusilla,
"Oh, mother aunty I'd be more than
glad to take the place of this delight
full runaway girl and keep affairs in
order until you come back"
Drusilla was the youngest of the
LiscOmb brood and her aunt considered
that the frail, delicate slip of girl
was hardly adapted to take charge of
a great ten-room house over night.
She clutched at the passing straw,
however.
IF you will help me out, Drusilla,"
she said, ''I'll make you present of
that pretty silk gown of mine you
have always coveted"
"Oh, mother! let me 60 please"
pleaded Drusilla.
Reluctantly Mrs. Liscomb agreed to
the arrangement. Drusllla made up
parcel of cap, house slippers and
aprons and was soon on her way to
the house of her spinster relative.
Aunt Isabella was to take train two
hours later.
Mrs. Morse takes entire care of her
own apartment and the two bank
dodgers are quiet, systematic old gen
tlemen," explained Aunt Isabella. "All
you have to do is to air their rooms.
The star boarder, Mr. Allng, is what
worries me. arranged that he should
have breakfast and tea and Nora has
left the kitchen looking like barn.
'Tll brighten up all that, Aunty,"
pledged Drusilla.
you are little Jewel, dear If my
three other nieces were like you,
learning to be useful instead Of think
ing only of frivollty and society, and
flirting and looking for husbands, sis
ter Martha would probably be more
satisfied"
So Aunt Isabella went her way and
Drusilla was placed In charge Of her
home. She was introduced to Mrs.
Morse and looked about the house.
Her quick housekeeping eye speedily
discerned that there was some hard
work to do. The kitchen was indeed
In confusion. Drusilla began at that
point. Then she swept and busted the
other rooms. Those apportioned to
Mr.. Alling were In entire disorder. BY
noon she had them looking like a pal
ace and then for two hours she work
ed at getting supper ready for the star
boarder.
Her face was grimed, her hands
snowy with -four as there was a ring
at the door bell. She stood on the
threshold abashed as there confront
ed her smiling, brisk hammered,
good looking young man.
81 am Mr.. Alling," he said. 81 think
/ can find my rooms. Miss Dunn show
ed them to me yesterday. BY the way,
| am hungry as bear, and lunch, or
dinner, or supper would be very ac-
ceptable to me-"
Drusllla's face was one vast blush,
she dlscerned that she was mistaken
for the maid, although the star board
er bestowed a marked glance Of adj
mlration upon her. He praised her
cooking to the last morsel as he came
down to the dining room. He seemed
glad TO converse with Drusllla and
treated her with respect that some
how ameliorated her false position.
II was after the two bank dodgers
had arrived and had gone to their
rooms that Drusilla took fancy to
look up the dress her aunt had prom
ised her. Then she was tempted to
put II on and rearrange her hair and
make herself naturally charming. The
temptation came to go down TO the
parlor and survey herself full length
in Aunt IsabelIa's oldfashioned glass.
She tripped into the room and paused,
abashed. With applauding eyes she
was confronted by Mr.. Alling.
"What beautiful gown" he spoke,
"and how 1t becomes yoE!"
ut IL not mine. II belongs to my
Aunt Miss Dunn" clustered Drusllla.
"Oh, you are her niece, and not the
maidl Shall / say Cinderella trans
formed2" and he laughed, and Drusll-
Ia Joined in the merrlment and Mrs.
Morse, appearing, etted the pleasing
chaperon for a very agreeable eve
ming.
The star boarder was revealed as a
man Of Independent means little
later on. and later on, too, ms an ar
dent lover and prospective husband.
Some day put on the Cinderella