The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-03
MRS. ANNIE GREEN.
CHAPTER I.


 We were all peKplexed, myself espec- ially. have never had the patience to find pleasure in the contemplation of a mysterious person; and, when a woman --I say woman for never bother myself at all about man-assumes an air of mystery, cannot help but feel that she owes me an explanation if not an apology. don't suppose that this will be read by very many people who have heard of me, for the better part of my life has been spent in the editorial rooms of large daily newspaper. am James Cardison ticles for which Colonel Henry Brown, editor of the great paper, received credit. had taken, as newspaper men always say, a much needed and well earned Clay off," and was spending my time at Blue Rock Springs, an out of the way summer resort. Shortly after my arrival, there came woman about whom, soon dis covered, there was an air Of mystery. Her name was Mrs. Annie Green, the wife-so our landlord ir formed me-of old s. H. Green, the millionaire. There were very few boarders at the Blue Rock house, and 1 soon received an inuoduc- ton to Mrs. Green. She bowed with overwrought unconcern, and, laconically answering question, turned and left me. That evening when l entered the parlor where Mrs. Green and several young ladies were singing, Mrs. Green arose and left the room. was annoyed. She was not so pretty that she should hide her beauty. At the supper table l sat near her.
 Delightful weather we are having," said l. She made no reply, did not even raise her eyes. One of the boarders, known as Clam Benson, snorted, and an impertinent boy, noticing ny embar. rassment. said:
 "Yes, it's good weather now, but it :a;ned yesterday"
 After supper, while was sitting on a bench, smoking cigar, Benson joined me and said:
 |" That Mrs. Green Is queer piece"
 "Yes," 1 replied, "and she carries her queerness to the outer boundary line of politeness."
 "She needn't be so skittish," Benson said. met her down at the spring this morning and offered to hand her dipper of water but she declined the courtesy {; then when had put down the dipper, she took it up and waited on herself So far as 1 am concerned, she mayAake care of herself"
 "Which she seems disposed to do," rejoined.
 "What is your idea about her ?" Benson asked.
 "l hardly know. It Itcannot be that she is deficient in good breeding, nor can it be that she is naturally shy"
 "No, and that's why think there's something wrong about her."
 "I don't suppose that 1t is any of our business" said l, "but must confess that she snnoys me. Probably that if she had shown disposition to cultivate my acquaintance should have thought nothing of her."
 could not keep my mind of the wo- man. She was very young. Her eyes had only once got good look at them were brown, soft and full of expression. At night as 1 lay in bed her face came rr before me. "Ccnfcnnd the woman. D muttered as turned over and tried to sleep. At breakfast, the next morning, sat opposite Mrs. Green. She was talk ing as approached the table, but when sat down she ceased to speak. Again caught sight of her eyes. She blushed, thought.
 "What a fool l am," l unused as I ssrolled along the mountain side. "Why do l allow that woman, married woman, to disturb me2 have lost patience with her." A comforting reflection, surely. What cared she whether or not had lost patience with her2 When returned to the house, l saw her playing with several children. She laughed gleefully and I thought that had never before heard such music. Al l approached she stopped playing and sought her room.
 How long has Nm Green been mar Siadf z ! snksd q tAs landlord.
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