The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-04-25
A MYSTERIOUS FAMILY.

understand why, in a sedate village
like Riverside, the arrival of q gen.
teel, well-to-do stranger should cause
anything but the merest ripple of ex.
citement. The villagers would prob
ably not have manifested quite sc
marked an interest in the matter il
the said arrival had not first been
noted and commented upon by Mrs
Jones, who happened to be at the
hotel when the gentleman arrived
and who detailed all she had heard
and much that she guessed-to he,
particular friend and crony, Mrs
Casper, Mt whose domicile. just op
posite her own home, Mrs. Jones
called on her return from the hote
that afternoon.
"We're going to have some new
neighbors, Mrs. Casper. she began
before she was fairly in the house.
"Do tell," exclaimed Mrs. Casper
"who?"
"Their names arc Judson, and
they're from Brandon"
"You don't say!" asservated
the listener in q dissatisfied tone
"Tisn't likely they'll neighbor much
here; they'll be too Droud!"
"Well," remarked Mrs. Jones, de
cidedly, "twon't do for them to be
too high-faultin' with me. shalllet
them know from the first that they
needn't put on any airs, and that
we're just as good as they be-"
"When are they coming" asked
Mrs. Casper.
",Just Us quick rs the Browns can
move out!" replied Mrs. Jones, her
steel-gray terret-like eyes fairly snap.
ping with the importance of her
news.
"The Browns!" gasped Mrs. Cas-.
per, "why didn't know they were
going to novel;
"Probably not" remarked Mrs.
Jones, with superb complacency,
"they didn't know il either!'
"Do tell" cried Mrs. Casper, "you
do surprise mel"
was up to the hotel to fit dress
for Elvira-not that l have to do
such things" explained Mrs. Jones,
but just to be neighborly, you know;
and Iheardenough to know they were
coming. OF fcourse wouldn't want
it to get out that l said it, but it
looks awful suspicious like to me.
He'd looked all over town, and he
thought the Browns was the only
place they'd like. He said his folks
had something to do thnt they
couldn't do in the noise and hustle
of the city. He acted so kind OF
mysterious like, and didn't seem to
want to tell what it was; but tell
you il they do buy out the Browns
and move in there-it's right next
to me, you know-I'm going to find
out what it is! The landlord
thought he could get the place
cheap because Brown has been just
dead setto go to Kansas for the last
year or two, and Judson intimated
that he'd pay down, and give them
bonus to move out at once besides.
He and the landlord came down to
see about it at once; and-yes, there
they nre nowl' sho continued, peer
ing over ut the house next her own.
I'll go now, SOS | can meet them,
and if hear anything SO as to know
he's bought I'll shake a white rag
out the window soon as l get
home."
Five minutes later Mrs Jones stood
at the open window frantically wav-
ing her handkerchief. Mrs. Casper
went out on the piazza. Mrs. Jones
leaned out of the window. looking up
and down the street; there was no
one in sight but the two men, now
walking rapidly away. -
"Monday!" she called a.
street to her crony, "they'
Monday"
"Land! land!" ejaculate.i
PEI, ,unconsciously quotingG
what can be the reason tl
such hurry"'
She could but own. lool
house of which the iiewc
to take possession. tina
desirable spot in whic!,.
summer. Almost hidden
locust trees, it reminded q!
famous dwelling at ClS
from the wayside dust aloC
the apple boughs could almos
their fruit upon tsroof." The
lawn wns dotted here and there
large trees and clumps of flower
shrubs, while the well-kept ceda(
hedge that surrounded the prernises(
on three sides was u marvel of neat
ness and beauty. But even its great
desirnbleness seemed to Mrs. Casper
small excuse. for, MS she expressed it
to herself, pitching the rightful own
ers out like that!'
Before the eventful Monday every
one in the little village knew of the
expected addition to their numbers
and, 40 fur as the two women knew
them, all the circumstances, suspi.
GUS or mysterious, attending tt
purchase Of the place that was to i
the home of the new comers.
At last they came accompanied
q close-mouthed couple, eHdentlyy
family servants. The family go
rooms at the hotel, and half q DOZEN
paper hangers and upholsterers froH
the city took possession and PREF
ed the newly vacated house
cupancy. Loads of turnitu2a
later the two ladies-therd
and n little girl whom
Gabriella-took posse
new home. The ann
ing to the party
Sabbath, then
came.
The two chu
we'll filed thal
bers of the ml
people began
appear at eth