New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-04
MISS GAY.
FREDERICK LOCKER.
BY MARCUS FALL.

One of the ouietest places in the London suburbs
Is Manville-square, Chapman. 1t lies at the core OF
a network of shady lanes and sequestered roads,
where the thrush and blackbird sing III the quiet
evening. The place is gathered into a peaceful
calm: and to find yourself IN Manyille-squaTe
after the dust and turmoil OF the city, Is as great
change as for the citizen OF sleepy cathedral town
TO lind himself n prairie with the feeling OF
uexbaustible relief always arising from the absence
of walls But in Manyille-square you find no
solitude. Lightly swung broughams and landaus
andlvlctoras brush over the smooth roadway now
and then YOU can no fine day put your mead
out of front window without hearing the laughter
of rosv-chceked children and the patter of tiny feet
Here the sunlight seemed always TO come early and
stay late. Summer loved the place, ana fingered
longer here than even at Kew. The square had
no ,pretensons TO splendOr or wealth or fashion
or distinction. The houses were modern, we'll
built wholesome, and roomy. The grass and
shrubs in the enclosure were kept neatly ana
efficiently but there was no such prudery In the
gardening forbade cricket to- four-year-Old boys
or the laughing scamper of children through the
trees The genii OF the place were peace and
prosperous plenty and courteous services No angry
word ever invaded that Tempe of London. No dun
ever cast shadow on It's clean t1agway or whole
some grass
n rlch man and owned property in several other
parts of London lie had made one rule over all his
House property, and that was to take ten per cent
year less Tor his houses than he could easily get and
10 he much more particular as TO the people he ac-
ccpted as tenants than most landlords. 1t was not
enough 10 satisfy him that the tenant sol vent
and respectable; he would also be convinced the
applicant for house of his was free from anything
which could make hlm q dlsagreeable nelghbor;
Those who took houses were to be clearly informed
one of the advantages of the place was tina: there
TO be no dodgers in Manville-square.
When DIR. stephen Brooks took his house he read
the clause with satisfaction. When man pald
a hundred and thirty pounds year Tor u mousse
In the suburbs, he expected not to have dodgers
next door Mrs. Brooks was delighted at the
etrngency of this provisO. they had had hard
fight II the world. They were chiidiess. Neither
was now young and little responsibility becomes
very acceptable in the middle life OF woman. when
maIIOuuOOu
narrow ways.
For ten years DR.. Brooks and his wife lived,
was six ty and she fty-tiye he died; He had saved
"a little money-not much When al debts
and expenses had been paid there was no more
than nfteen hundred pounds for the widow. her
friends rec ommended her TO give TINS house at
once, sell off what furniture she would not
absolutely need, and take q small house out
farther. She wrote TO the landlord, and he replied,
saying he would be most happy to do anything he
could for her. He recommended her TO do nothing
definite for day or two. until he had called.
Between the dispatch OF that letter and the visit
to Mrs. Brooks the landlord was observed to call
at every house IN the square. When he saw the
widow he was extremely polite and consderate
lie hoped she would not consider it impairment on
his part if he alluded to her affairs. He could
not help hearing people speaking of her, for she
and her husband had bctn the most popular
people i'll the square. Among things he heard the
cause of her wishing to give up the house was that
husbands death. He had ventured to come with
n SUGGESTION which, if she did not feel disposed TO
adOpt she would, he felt sure take as well meant.
All the people in the square were most anxious
she should not leave it, and would vo everything IN
their power TO help her. He too should be 10th
TO lose an old and valued resident. Now, what he
came prepared to do was to cancel the sub-letting
Thus il arose in the year 1870, in one house in
Manville-sqGare lodgings could be secured, and
that Edwin COlthurst lived as a Iodger with Mrs.
Brooks lie occupied room at the top OF the
house looking into the square. lie went into the
CITY every day Immediately after breakfast, and
was not home till near SIX IN the evening" lie
was quiet and unassulning, SPOKE III Solt low
voice, and never was so pleased as when he could
steal in and out uupercelved. lie had no COM
panlons or friends He lived altogether TO HIM
self No one ever called upon him. lie always
came hOue straight from his business and went To
his room At o'clock he came down and ate
some supper, mostly III silence Mrs. Brooks had
she wished he would have some of his friends
with him on Sunday. But he always made the
same answer-Thank you, Mrs. Brooks. II is very
good OF you TO think OF it. But there is no one
care TO ask just now
He had a taste for entomology and reading, and
be spent all his Sundays and his evenings over his
books or his OF specimens. Toward the end
of May Mrs. Brooks thought he was looking very
d. and attributed this TO his want of variety IN
meals. Often at supper 1T slipped from him
that he had eaten nothing since breakfast that
morning. Mrs. Brooks made up her mind clio
would see he ate his supper at all events; 50
toward the end of May she was always IN the din
Ing room when thatmeal was served for him
E8rlyln June, while he was III the dinlngroomi
bits. DiOOkh pulitu IL lttltI Out VI poChS'
said Mr. Colthurst, l got letter from lady
this morning. She has been recommended 10
come here By a lady who stopped hereby "a lady |
W no was with me Tor few months last year l
want to answer the letter at once, and cannot |
read part of the letter or the signature Will you
be so kind 0s 10 try if you can make it outP |
Certainly. Let ine SEE IT, i
He ok ii, and after looking ut 1t while, read |
out: -
Dear Madam,-My friend, Mrs. Shipstone. tells |
me | should be lucky II you allow me to come
md stay with you for fortnight or three weeks
,anles me. We shall need two bedrooms, opening
nto one another. and q private sitting room. We
Iome up TO see doctor. You peed not be
alarmed The complaint Is neither infectious nor
dangerous. An early reply will oblige,- Yours
Helen cay
Five nights after that Miss Gay-she proved to
70 .spinster-arrived with Der niece.
You remember said Mrs. Brooks that night to
lolthurst. lie ate his SUPPER the letter showed
lou q few days ago from q lady recommended TO