New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-12
AN INCOGNITO.
From Good Words.

out or the WINDOWS or NO. ~ IN the ROW. IN
house whose future tenancy had for some TIM
been the subject Of our hopes and fears was "A
at last and our fate, In the matter o! ney
neighbors decided for good or i'll.
The Row was an old-fashioned corner tynf
at the back OF a large seaside town, out Of Ia
reach Of the yearly influx OF noise and trlppeA
We took no little credit to ourselves for ON
isola ton, and would have blushed to have beel
at any time discovered among the crowd ~
rading the sea front. Perhaps indeed, II va
the desire 10 ignore he aspect OF the town q
a pleasure resort that formed the basis OF syn
patty on which our little society Mas founded
OF this society it vas old MIS- Delane a, No (
who was called on by at least two county fan.
lilies and who took daily airings IN a carris1
with yellow wheels, whom We looked W 70 y
our head, and to whom were referred all queS
ticns OF fashion and social ethics. We certainly
were, take US all in all. a highly respectable
corner, and might be forgiven IN the absence
OF worthy objects Of comparison IN mlstak1
ourselves for the salt Of the earth. Nor is 10
be wondered at that We were hiled win ALARM
whenever there was a prospect Of a houS
changing hands, although hitherto the chaSe
ter of the Row had not suffered from any sub
change. The lingy old corner made little ae
peal to the average hOuse-huntcr slNeP
tibility to the charm underlying the dinsne's
enough to make it appear a desirable paes
Of residence. had in most Instances proved
symptomatic, and in the general run o. new
corners we had found new friends. Yet W kneS
that the luck must one day turn, ana the pres
ent occasion nlied more IMAM one q! Va "isn
vague fOreDUdlng.
No 10 had been ITO let furnished" SO ~
could not hope for an Introduction TO The new.
Corners through the customary vanguard %
household gods. There was nothing ioI IL pu
to possess our souls in patience. ana 20 Keep
lookout for their arrival in the flesh We ven
taking tea at Mrs. Delane's. and discussing
somewhat doefully the probabilities az the reg
tenancy when the sound OF venice dIhiJ
into the Row sent US all TO the window WINS
fhar hoy y y. y
small quantity 81 luggage. drew up before u
door of No 10. young man IN "A TOURIST tga
Jumped out and was followed up the steis
a girl dressed rather too elaborateH 10 De u
accordance with High Row notions OF gentd
elegance The man gave pun Al the heIi' aha
no response Immediately forthcomhs' ne ana
his companion each lifted the manure o. NV
double knocker and reused the echoes WIN
vigorous rat-tat The effort on the grTs pan
loosened the clumsy knot of hair gathered le-
meath the picture" hat. and great plaIt "a.
artistically stuck with hairIns, uncoled ts,I
to the length of her waist. We could SEE 'hs
little stamp of eXaSperation that accoMp@hp1
her unskilful attempt at readJustment ahG u,
amused smile % the man watching linen ,as
door was opened, and both disappeared mo ,hs
house. Mrs DelaEe returned 70 the tea-'AOs
drawing in her lips. and shaking her head ana
we read in the combined action hat WOULD "
the verdict Of the Row.
The result OF further observation served olI
10 deepen first impressions. The manner ana
extent Of the pairs divergence from Hlsh 80.
notions of genteel living became the idFvilu
subject of discussion at all the tea parties baca
one of us was eager TO contribute MS OF het
mite Of evidence. one morning. when me h'ue
maid Of all work had gone out II ihe h"Nse' -
garments suggestive Of "A days holiday one
us mad seen Mrs de Nilliers Ghe ncredlDe
high-hown name they gave out as thrii OWN
dress herself W in the servant cap ana "p'o
and dab about the rom win ""'i' e ts
buster for all the world IKE s'@N, -
II 4 .,,1 ~
ously and the whole had concluded "I'H al a.
fectionate skirmish in which thc broom h1a
PLAYED an important part The pair mad' da.y
excursions TO the shops she carry ing j. !" al,
a preposterous market-haskr'' NseA ''' '
to the dignity Of thu ROW. "a
on hot summer nights. when We S"' az.
steWed respectively IN our mont I"i."s, - -
people would bring deck chairs 90 'o '"'' w..
step and lounge there tlll t'ill iIe J." ' In
deshabille Of tedgOWn and smoking jacket ~ -.
erto the respectable remot,n,ss ~ th' hes
Row had been appreciated IA h""Nt-' -
street MINISTRIES. and they had S'i'"'i' 80
US with their visits. But now me OiA."' IN
broken Some instinct seemed 10 uiH' h.
daily in Our direction. an instinct Justlhrd ~ ~.
heha vior OF the newcomers. who tought shiintt.
and water-crrsses, and threw hdllpeh, =
man with the cornet. Indeed me SH.H -.
niciou rested upon them Of having his'e" -"
soueaking yulgarity Of "A Punch and JUICY $40.
unon the peace If the High Row uy de'".ls -
invitation They had certainly sat AZ 'htI ,,,ir,
dow throughout the performance
marked signs of appreciation. mt. n
Calling on them had from the hist '''n ~ IN
the Question Now when We came az i"SS -.
in rho Row or street our count'nances W "
won't to put on the most napptoa' h4D't . mOs
whereby We hoped they would gather me eAS,,
of their offence. and be induced. p''""p@
Vet I am glad 70 say for 'he character !,
the Row. that We were all y us moo ~, ~ -
Mrs Delane. who when httle Mr.. d" VII.
stopped one morning in front "i ger ,,a 70
snIf rberr dartod out red and NrathiI ana Wv
the cage back with he. through tha par.ooi 70, u,
dow. as though she feared coniamina,UN ii
the bird But while We watching tI'", ~
and white in the girls btnali she ',' .',s, q
the mouth that expressed more q amu@eH
than OF annoyance. ,, ,4r.
We had become aware and the TACT al -,
haIs at the root of our h"stlI'N' '""' an, 40