Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-10-29

paper she carried. Yes, this was I'M
doubtedly the place she sought. "A
freak house." the employment agent
had called it, built in imitation of
an old matched cottage in Ireland"
These singers are mostly freaks
themselves" the agent added, "eyen
If they do have lots of money"
The woman smiled as she gazed at
the house and a wistful, eager light
came into her eyes. The freak house
was a good imitation upon spacious
lines. The low, dropping roof over
rear f1ower-framed doorway brought
back poignantly a memory of her own
girlhoOd. In such a doorway she had
stood, looking down the long road.
over which at evening her handsome
lover lad had been wont to come. She
remembered the musical Tilt of his
voice as he praised the soft blue eyes
of her." or touched adoringly the rose
of her young cheeks.
"They are wild Irish roses, Nance"
her over would say. Mans roses had
faded long ago to faint pink shadows
of what they had been. The wonder
land of America where she had come
so hopefully failed to bring fulfilIment
of her dreams. Nance had pictured
easy independence here as she closed
forever the door of the matched cot
tage upon her desOlated home.
The laughing Irish lover lad had
long gone on his fortune-seeking way.
Nance lost her buOyant health in
ha oit ho1 70
youths freshness. Work suitable to
her strength was hard to find. but
somehow she managed, and her bright
spirit lived through all the broken
dreams.
Last evening the advertisement had
caught her eye; she had been sewing
in a hot city room, and the promise
Of country air and green fields was
sufficient to form her decision. She
would answer in person the advertise
ment.
But as she stood there seemed no
need for hurry in this peaceful
scene. She passed to the rear flower
framed door and raised a wooden
knOcker 1t was a uniformed maid
who led her into the comfortable room
of the resigning hOusekeeper. That
person, after one keen glance, sighed
relievedly.
"At last" she said, 81 see my way
clear to go. You have the appearance
of capability. Intelligent help is al
most impossible to find these days,
especially in this lonely spot. It's all
eight for the great folks who go and
come from the city. For servants the
situation is not inviting. Your diff
Guilty will be in keeping cooks and
ending maids. However, that's up to
you. Mr.. O'Neil is away from home
so much on his singing tours that you
will probably be able to manage-at
least while he's here
Nance put out an interrupting hand
This is Mr.. O'Neil's homer" she
asked unbelievingly. Not Larry
O'Neil, the Irish tenOr?"
The housekeeper nodded.
Didn't you knowY" she asked. "Ev-
-erybody hereabOuts has heard of his
early Irish home and how when he
made his money he tried to initiate
the matched cottage as well as could
,be done in grand style. His old
mother lived with him here till she
died Mr. O'NCil is a fine man and
home-loving one too, though none Of
those idolizing women have tempted
him to give up his bachelorhOOd. He's
home now, as it happens, an has been
troubled about my going. He relies
upon me a great deal. But my people
need me now. VIII you let me see
your reference Mrs."
Miss" corrected Nance. I'm Miss
Nance Bawn. 1 have no reference as
housekeeper, only as to character. |
hoped if you'd be willing to try me
for a few days"
Elm afraid I'll be forced to-" the
honsekeeper said obviously, 'if 1 wish
90 get away"
She was efficient in her new work;
the departing housekeeper with sat
isfactiOn discovered this fact before
the second day of trial was over. The
singers especial sanctum took on an
iueXplicable air of hOmeneSs upon
that second evening. His cigar stand
was just where it should be, and an
Irish ballad lay upon his piano. Idly
he sat and played it through, the
lamplight glinting his Silvering hair
'When l dream of old Ireland" he
sang, I'm dreaming of you"
A woman stood behind him when he
turned, little woman in a sprigged
lavender dress. She was holding
toward him respectfully a tray with
q cup of coffee on it. But Larry
O'Neil jumped unbelievingly to his
feet.
Nance" he cried, Nance, dear
after all these years! :" And when
iater the great singer and the happy
woman sat hand claSped In hand the
woman smiled with the old shyness
he remembered so WELL
I or-Y,v bo sold