Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-01


the hall. "A poor crazy creature on the
roof next door, all alone by herself, with
nothing but step between her and
death"
"Lal" said Mrs. Larkins, beginning to
tremble and develop strongly hysterical
symptoms. Are you sure, quite sure,
now, Melinda, that it amt the Limbur-
ger cheese settin' heavy on your stom-
ach? 1t don't agree with everybody. you
know And"-
Come and see for yourself" said Me-
linda; and she drew her cousin to the
curtained easement which commanded
the feline and the smoke blackened view
previously alluded to- "Therel Don't
you see her dress futter? Do you per-
ceive how dangerously near the parapet
wall she stands?"
"Oh, good graciousr' cried Mrs. Lar
kins, covering her eyes with her hands.
Lets call Lemuel."
"Who is it that lives in the next
house?' demanded Melinda. For we
must go there ourselves, Lucretia.
There's no time to rouse up anybody"
And Lemuel sleeps like log," said
Mrs. Larkins, land always thrashes
round with his fists when he's reused up
sudden, thinkin' of burglars the very
first thing, poor dear It's Mr.. Burnabee
as lives there, a manufacturer of ladies'
felt skirts; quite decent and respectable
Oh, yes, my dear; p'r'aps we'd better go,
then, or the poor dear'll fling herself
over the parapet, and it'll be clear case
for the coroner's inquest"
In the cloudy moonlight the two wom-
en- crept down stairs and rang loudly at
Mr. Burnabee's door.
There was a delay. There always is a
delay after the ringing of city door
bell. But to Miss Parkinson and Mrs.
Larlzins there was delay which seemed
almost interminable before Mr.. Burma
bee appeared on the scene, little old
red nosed man. with scanty gray hair, a
palm leaf patterned dressing gown, and
candle whose feeble flame hickered to
and fro while he held it shaded from the
night wind with one hand.
"Is it fire." SAID Mr.. Burnabee, cor is
it accident on the elevated road? I've
always knowed it would come sooner or
later"
''The roof! The roof" gasped Me-
linda
'Save herr shrieked Mrs. Larkins. {
"Eh?" said Mr. Burnabee "Save
who? What are you talking about, la
dies?'
"The sleepwalker!" cried Miss Parkin-
son, "The poor creature who hovers
between life and death on the top of
this horlser
"We saw woman on the roof" ex-
planned Mrs. Larkins, land she wouldn't
answer when my cousin called to her.
and we're almost certain sure she's in
sane"
Mr. Burnabee's wrinkled countenance
broke into smile.
"There amt no woman there" said
he.
Man." said Miss Melinda, "you are
deceiving us"
''It's nothing on earth" went on Mr..
Burnabee, "but my wire dummy as fit
the skirts over The roof leaked all over
her new pink cambria slip in the hard
shower yesterday, so jest set her out on
the roof to dry. put her out at night,
because knowed if l did it in the day
time there'd be no end of people asking
questions and minding everybody else's
business but their own"
"Oh!" said Miss Parkinson, rather
awkwardly.
"Of course" said Mrs. Larkins, biting
her lip.
much obliged to you, all the same,"
said Mr.. Burnabee blandly, although he
still chuckled.
And the two women crept home again.
"Lucretia," said Miss Parkinson,
standing opposite her own door.
"W-w-wellr' faltered Mrs. Larkins,
scarcely able to repress her shivering.
Don't speak of this to any one, will
your"
"No, won't" said Mrs. Larkins.
But it is to be feared that she did not
keep her word, for Mr.. Larkins was full
of dark illusions the next day, and Miss
Persephone could scarcely speak for
laughing.
Miss Parkinson purchased her pat
terms, and secured her summer styles,
and hastened speedily back to Center
vile, and ever since she declares that all
the wealth of the Indies would not in
duce her to live in that sink of iniquity
and head center of mystery, New York;
And if people ask her why, she only
shakes her head and says mysteriorsly:
Never mindr'-Amy Randolph in
New York Ledger.