Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-02-07
The Mystery at No. z.

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let. / had lived there in my solitary old
maidenhood. with the gray sirging sea
I'm front. and No. 2 empty and desOlate
beside me side bv side the two houses
stood. with The little gardens divided by
an iron railing. Nv garden looked trim
and tidy. but that OF No. 3 was dcsolate
and bare often looked at the house,
with all its window shutters closed, and
wondered If ! should ever have a next
door nrirhbOr Month after month went
by however. and This house TO be let"
still remained pasted on the windows. |
was almost glad it was so, because, II the
house had been let. and the tenants had
turned ont to be unpleasant people, my
position would have been q most uncom-
Portable one. IL was therefore with a
feeling of great anxiety that one day |
saw to my surprise, that The bills had
disappeared from the windows, which
were thrown wide open to let ln the AR.
The ueNt day they came. was sitting
at my window, working and looking out
at the gray misty waves, when | saw a
cab laden with luggage drive up and
stop at the gate Of no. 2, and l peeped
anxiouslv between the lace curtains to
see who and what would emerge from
the cab. The driver jumped down and
opened the door, and the first to alight
was a small young girl Of about twenty
who looked very weak and fragile. She
lifted out a tiny boy with a sailor-hat
surrounding a prOfuson Va yellow curls.
was GLAD to see ahild--Onc 50 young
would be only a pleasure-and my Visions
OF noisy boys quite passed out Of my
mint Finally out stepped a very tai
elderly lady, whose ewes We're hidden by
n pair of blue spectaCles. and whose fig
ure was shroulcd in a long cloak. She
leaned heavily on a stick, and walked
awkwauiIy.
As the trio passed through the gate |
caught q glimpse Of the younger lady's
face. It wore a wistful, nervous expires
siol; and the girl cIaspel tightly with
one hand the arm of the tall old lady,
while the little boy chung to her skirts.
Was she-that tiny, fragilc-looking crea-
ture-Alrs Darlington, and was She the
mother of the little bow
left Them alone for a week to get set
tied, end then | called. 1t was only po-
lite and neighbOrlv TO do so, as our two
houses were side by side The little boy
was playing In the garden. IN days long
past children used to be fond of me, and
| wondered if ] had forgotten my old
arts as / looked at the little fellow stand
inc regarding me with pair Of solemn
brown eyes. | took out of my pocket a
rosy apple.
"Catch.' / CRIED and the apple rolled
close 10 his feet.
With "a smile dimpling his checks, he
picked 10 up after few moments Of shy
hesitation.
Mrs Darlington was at home, the maid
informed me, ANA I was ushcred into a
small drawing which was % fac
smile of my owu-in size and shape at
least; bat. while mine was filed with
knckluonbs, photographs and other
treasures the draWing-rOom OF No was
as bare as lodging house rooms generally
are,
Mrs Darlington started mp with an ex-
clAmatioH of surprise as wasaunomCed.
Her face turned crimson and then white;
and again noticed the peculiar hunted
look iu her eyes as she glanced over my
shoulder towards the door.
81 fear have startled YOU, Mrs. Car
ringtun5 said as we shook hands; and
again She flushed painfully
"Oh. uu-thit is, / did not expect we
should have amy visitors, and, when the
door opened, / thought 10 was Baby COM
INK in, aud ! was surprised To see a
stranger.
Sh, spoke very quickly, with nervous
trtw1r m her voice, and began 10 Won
der If ,ls strengthening Little person
was quteright I'm her head.
"luur little boy Is Baby / prosume"
| sold, emharkus tcarrs~ly upon the