The sea coast echo., 1894-06-23


for the lands sakes-l thought II
was ONeil. l am sure heard that
girl OF your'n singing about her 'dar,
lint Miss Nora o'Neil.'"
Mrs. Allen smiled, and said that nj.
though her daughters name was Nora,
Dlodys song had nothing TO do with
1t
incidentally, to invest. herself with
some Importance, Mrs. Simpkins stated
that Fred Parsons, the richest young
man In the town, was paying at
tention to her daughter Sally. This
remark provoked an inscrutable smile
on Mrs. Aliens face.
Mrs. Simpkins made a long call. but
was not invited to repeat her visit. She
told her husband she could not And ont
anything and was very sure there was
some mystery connected with that Allen
woman, for there were ever so manv
envelopes on the table, and she could
see the name Smith" plain as moth.
ing, and she was sure Mrs. Allen had
peen reading them very letters Now,
what business had Mrs Allen with
Mrs Smiths letters, she would like Ia
know?
By this time Mrs. Simplsins and her
friends were good deal excited over
the mystery concerning the people at
the river house. Mrs. Allen and her
daughter seemed oblivious of all thu
dark hints that were thrown out about
them.
Suspicion grew fast Many things
were said OF the occupants OF the river
house. 81 Jenkins, who lived near.
told his wife that lights burned there
all night. Ezra Burke saw woman
In white come to an upper window and
look out with wild eyes. lie knew II
was woman because OF her long hair.
else he'd 'n'thought 1t were old Smiths
ghost Conjecture ran high. At last
IL was decided that a delegation of
women headed by Mrs, simphins should
wait upon Mrs. Allen and demand an
explanation of the mystery
For such il our Christian dutv.r
said Mrs. Burke, who stood high In the
church, at Is my opinion that their
name is not Allen at all, but Smith,
and I'd not be one bit surprised II they
turned out to be some kin OF that old
John Smith whose ghost haunts that
very house, and whose grandfather,
they do say, was hung"
SO the next afternoon the delegation
started on its errand.
I'm just aching to tell them what
think Of such doings," Mrs Simpkins
said, as she raised the heavy brass
knocker and applied it with so much
energy that the door was opened al,
most immediately by pretty Miss Nora
How are you, ladies7 Walk right
iu," she said, evidently rather sur
prised. Mamma will be here in a
very few minutes She has gone Tor
the mail "
Mrs. Simpkins nodded to the others,
as much as to say: Just in time" And
they followed Nora into the parlor
She tried to entertain them until her
mother returned, but felt quite relieved
when she saw her coming and went 70
the door to meet her.
Come right In, mamma There are
some Indies waiting for you"
Mrs. Allen was astonished to find 80
many callers in her parior at one time,
but showed no trace OF surprise Id her
manner
Good afternoon, ladies': ! am very
glad to see you. 1t was such lovely
day that went for the mail myself.
hope you have not been waiting long"
Her greeting was SO cordial that Mrs
Jones afterwards said she was glad she
was not head Of the delegation. After
one or two Intellectual efforts MrA
Simpkins abruptly began;
"Mrs Allen. or Mrs, Smith, or what
ever your name is--the Lord only
knows, we don tive have come here
this afternoo to find out who you sre.
You give your name as Allen, and get
letters for Mrs Smith, and we amt
used to no such goings on, and we have
come here to have you explain, II you
can, for we don't want no mysteries in
our neighborhood.
Surprise rendered Mrs Allen speech
less for II moment; then she coldly sad;
Ladies', gave my name as Allsn
simply because that was my husbands
name and, consequently, Is mine.
Mrs. Smith Is my widowed sister, who
resides with me. For reasons not
necessary TO state, receive and an
swer her letters That is the meaning
of the supposed mystery which has
caused you SO much distress, Like the
ghost, 1t exists onl y in imagination"
She ceased speaking and glanced to-
ward the door, evidently expecting her
visitors to go; but Mrs Simpkins was
not easily routed.
|. "You say your sister lives with you;
it's odd no one has ever seen her and
that you never have no company. And
can you tell us, ma'sm, who the poor
critter Is that roams about this house
at night, all in white?'
Mrs Aliens face was very stern as
she answered.
II had hoped that it would not be
necessary TO 20 into the details OF this
painful matter; but in. order TO check
malicious gossip will explain that my
sister Is a confirmed invalid, and left
the city because she was on the verge
OF nervous prostration. We came here
that she might he perfectly quiet, and
have avoided company on her account
She IL not able 10 read or answer her
letters, which all refer to business, as
she owns considera BILE real estate in
town. Now, ladies, as / have nothing
more TO say concerning my private
affairs, ! will bid you good afternoon"
Mrs Aliens tone and manner for
bade further words, and the discomfited
women rose in body and marched out
of the house. Not until they reached
the gate did Mrs Simpkins recover
her powers Of speech; then she ex-