The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-07-08
A Middle Half Discovery
By INA BREVOORT.

and the windows of Mrs. Darling
tons room had been opened to admi:
the fresh air, laden with promise OF
summer. But, alas! the breeze carried
with it something more-the sound of a
violin played very badly.
There's that dreadful noise again.
You will have to close the windows,
Jane," said Mrs. Darlington TO her maid,
who laid down the curling tongs and
obeyed her mistress. Mrs. Darlington
turned from the silver-laden dressing
table before which she sat, and con-
fronted her husband, who was on the
other side of the room reading his pa
per.
Its no use, James," she said, rising
anger and peulance mingling in her
;enes; II simply can't stand that noise.
You must speak TO that man to-mor-
row."
MY DEAR" answered her husband, in
a slightly amused tone, show many
times must tell you that should be
making myself ridiculous? The man
has right to play on his own violin in
his own house"
Play! Do you call that playing?"
at is what every beginner has to go
through, and by whatever name you
choose to call it, it is nothing to which
we have any right to object" said Mr..
Darlington. "lf he played at unsea-
sonable hours, or if we had illness in the
house, l should have some excuse for
complaining"
ILLNESS, indeed. And what do you
call illness, should like to know? If
this annoyance continues, my nerves
will be worn to nothing in short time" "
Her husband thought this might be
very good thing, but he did not say
so. He was too wise a man for that.
Instead, he returned TO his paper and
silence reigned, but not for long.
There, now you may go, Jane; will
ring when want you again" said Mrs.
Darlington, when the last strand was
waved and her hair had been carefully
dressed.
When the maid had noiselessly left
the room, Mrs. Darlington said, some
what impatiently: II do wish you
would attend to me, James"
What is it, my dear?" said her hus-
band. mildly. again laying aside his
paper. -
"7Nhat is it?' You don't listen to a
word say"-and Mr.. Darlington's pa
per was not taken up again until his
wife had entered her carriage, and been
driven rapidly away.
THE idea of putting such house in
this neighborhood! 1t was ridiculous
thing to do" said Mrs. Darlington to
her intimate friend, Mrs. Mason, as they
sat at lunch together onithe following
day in the great dining-room in the
formers house. The massive sideboard
lowered above them majestically, it's
burden of silver and cut glass sparkling
in the one ray of sunlight which
pierced through the closed blinds. The
air outside was soft and fragrant, but
Mrs. Darlington's head ached-hence
the dim light.
who owns the house. and why did
you allow anyone to build there?" asked
Mrs. Mason. you told me once that
You intended buying that lot for rose
garden"
Il did," replied her friend, but |
thought there was no hurry. did not
suppose the man who owned it would
die. and leave the lot to some nephew,
who would obstinateIy refuse good
offer because he wanted to build his cot
tage there. 1t is a cottage-nothing but
a cottage" she finished, setting down
har taacup wit h n foroa that rno1a bo,b
cup and saucer rattle.
ut certainly is pity" said Mrs. Ma
son, as they rose from the table and
stroled out to the piazza, with its invit-
ing hammoeks and comfortable chairs.
Unconsciously they both looked over
at the offending house. 1t stood on the
next street. so that its back windows
faced the back windows of Mrs. OAR
ington's establishment, and the two
yards were divided only by light iron
fence.
The little cottage was so new and
clean and neat that it looked like toy
house. Each window pane shone like
diamond in the sunlight, and the
whole place, from the porch with its
lines of snowy glass towels hung along
one side, to the tiny flower garden. and
The lawn that resembled n pocket
handkerchief. was n marvel of neatness
and order.
They seem 10 take great pride in the
place." said Mrs. Darlington. 81 have
been in n number of such houses when
I've been visiting my poor, but they
usually look very untidy. can tell you
just what they probably have in the
parlor. Mating on the floor, horsehair
furniture with worsted tides; one table
with photograph albums and another