The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-06-28

| Ii"So "hu uroNe 10 the mansion OF
Mr.. Secor Brooks, on an aristocratic
side street,
They seem to live very nicely"
thought the rich relation. 81 didu't
know Secor's income justified such
style as this
The 'rvant showed Miss Dubarle
Into reception room, furnished after
the style of Louis Quinze. His mis-.
tress was out, but weuld feturn pres
emily, he explained.
I'm wait said Miss Dubarle.
a wizened little girl with her hair
braided in long Chinese plaits. and
red, chill-looking elbows, was tinkling
away at the piano. She looked round
as the guest entered.
You are Eudocia, L suppose" said
Miss Dubarle, affably.
| Yes, said the child, I'm Eudo-
cha. And who are you?"
II am Miss Dhbarle,S said the
heiress, graeiohsly. You have heard
your rnhmma tell about Miss Dubarle.
haven't you?"
oh, yes" said Eudocia, her small.
hshy eyes lighting up. You're the
old maid that mamma says is so out
out -.
out of health?'
No; some very big word"
outrageous?' suggested Miss Du-
barle, somewhat discounted,
"No-not that-outlandish And
you're going to die md leave me all
your money and then we're to travel in
Europe, But papa says he don't see
Dat what you're going to hold az fo.-
ever. What is it you are holding OH
to, Miss pubarle?"
Hem!" said Miss Dubarle $50
your mammals kind enough TO con-
slder me outlandish, is she?"
"Mamms'c going to invite YOU to
vistt las" went on the unwisely COM
municative Eudocia, "when the Fita'
hoy Fortesques are gone She says
she don't went them to be shocked
with Fonf Noah's ark ways. I had
Noah's ark once" added the enfant
terrible, with dog in it aud Shem,
Ham aud Japhet"
Il dare say" said Miss Dubarle.
checking u strong ineli nation I'd laugh,
although she felt herself growing pur-
pie in TIE face with indignation. 81
think L won't wait any longer Eu-
docia; good by"
And Miss Dubarle shook the dust
of the Secor Brooks mansion cfr her
feet.
"a pretty hypocrite's nest 1 should
have got into there she said, half
aloud, as she entered the vehicle she
had been wise enough to bid wait
Janet Heath, with all her faults. was
at least frank aud truthful enough.
Drive to twenty-seven Bachelor
Square, coachmanl"
Twenty seven Bachelor Square was
a tall, brownstone building. full Of
studios, Offices aud sets of chambers,
and Miss Dubarle was well-nigh, out
of breath before she reached door at
the very top, on which card, neatly
tackled, bore the inscription, "Herbert
Smythe. Artist"
She beat brisk tattoo on the panels
with the handle of her sun umbrella.
and voice answered:
Come in"
But to her amazement, the occupant
OF the apartment, instead of young
artist in black velvet painting robe,
was n grim female, sitting very up
right on n gothic chair, with tattered
gloves and n bonnet bent on the side.
us Mr.. Smythe in?" asked Miss
Dubarle.
'No," answered the stony female:
''he ain't, But if you're wise you'll
SIT down, like me, and wait until he
does come in. [ s'pose you've come
after your bill?"
Have you?" asked Miss Dubarle,
taking the first part of the hint. by
depositing herself on sofa.
"Yes-for the seventh time. He
owes everybody Smythe does I'm
his laundress, but you can ask the
landlord and the wine merchant. and
the tailor and the halter, and"
Then" CURLY observed Miss Du-
barlc, 81 should think you were all
great fools for trusting him!"
so we be, said the woman, grim
~; "and ! amt denyin of that, but
you see he's kept us on the string all
along with stories of his rich cousin.
Miss Dubarle, as has made her will in
his favor, and is goin' to leave him no
end Of money.
cob" said Miss Dubarle. rubbing
her nose vchemently with the end of
the sun-umbrclla handle
He says, added the unconscious
traitress, THAT she's as old as Me
thusaleh, and can't live but few
days, anyhow; but /, for one, don't
believe word Of it, But you Amt
agoin' be YOU"
yes, said Miss Dubarle, rising.
Please to give him this card when he
comes in and tell him, if you like, the
Little conversation we have had.
And she was nearly downstairs be-
fore tho lauudress, fitting on a pair of
silver bowed spectaclcs, had read the
two words inscribed upon the card:
Miss Dubarlc"
The heiress was very silent during
her drive back to the hotel. Perhaps
She was engaged in rendering the
funeral rites on her dear departed de-
lusionl All that she said to herself
was contained in ono sentence:
81 don't like being made fool Of"
she mentally cuunciatcd, "and I be
ltevc I've come very near il.
Janet Heath sat by the fire i'm the
next evening" twilight, musing, per
chance, half in sadness. half in shy
pleasure, when the door clicked on its
latch and in walked Nfisa Dubortc