The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-08-19

MYSTERIOUS LODGER.

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In a little house, in a little street, liz.
&C Mrs Tubbs, a widow and her only
daughter, Melinda Tubbs.
Miss Melinda was very amiable. very
fascinating in her general makeup,
and the rumor was current that Mrs
Tabbs would leave Melinda n.ca
plum" when she had "shulfled Of this
mortal coil, but Notwithstanding an
uhis the young lady was stil Miss Me-
linda rubbs.
Sic stood a fair chance OF passing her
declining years in state OF single
slcssedness But Miss Melinda did not
seem to appreciate the beauties OF tina,
kind Of life and was continually casting
her sharp eyes round seeking a victim
yhom she might haul into the matrl-
pionIal moose.
Mrs Tubbs kept a boarding house
FOR gentlemen only" as She always
specified in her advertisements
The number OF her boarders generally
ran all the way from two to eight
Now ~ course. these dodgers desired
amusement for their spare moments es-
pecally when rain or other obstacle
confined item within doors, and they
had it gratis. For what could be more
amusing TO men than to see a woman
deliberately throwing herself at their
heads and using all the arts in her pow
or to entrap one OF them.
II was quite amusing to them to
watch her murdcilng opera at the
wretched piano, and eneSting coquettisn
airs and graceful attitudes with a
charming air Of aot knowing that any
enc was in the room; that was mex
p-esslbly absurd.
AS for being deceived or taken in by
afy Of the tricks, they laughed at the
idea.
To be sure there was a wild rumor fl
circulation to the effect that "once upon
time" a boarder had become enamorei
Of the manifold charms of Miss Melinda
ard had offered hef his heart and hanG
and also several thousand dollars in
government bonds. but for some cause
unknown the wedding never took place.
smpkins. the bcarder in the second
FLOR back. suggested that the unfortu
nate man had seen his betrothed tax
ing herself to pieces" and was so over
come by the sight that he had He'd in
horror and "scugh- watery grave
That was Simpklns' expression. And
tic other boarders generally concurred
with his view o fthe story, though the
majority were dubious about the exist
cree Of any man so hopelessly insane as
to fall in love with Miss Melinda Tubbs
aud secuted the whole tale with scorn.
Fortunately for Miss Mellnda's peace
Of mind she knew not what other people
thought OF her. and soreneiy Kert on
her way, while the boarders came and
went, and still she was Miss Melinda
Tubbs
AT last one day a gentleman came
engaged a room from Mrs. Tubbs, paid
week In advance and gave his name as
Edwin Mortimer, saying he would send
Lis trunks IN the afternoon, and would
take his dinner out and then he walked
away, utterly unconscious of the fact
that his image was impressed on IN Z
teart OF Miss Melinda Tubbs, who had
Seen looking at him through the key
h. le during the interview. and was quite
overcome by his personal appearance.
"such handsome man" she muir
rured when she had retired to the soli-
tude OF her room. such splendid eyes!
srch beautiful black hair; and such an
elegant air. H spoke to ma as II she
weie queen Edwin Mortimer what
a sweet namel | wonder who he can
te?"
Mr. Edwin Mortimer soon became a
puzzle to Miss Melinda that she tried in
ain to solve. His ways were so myster.
icus.
Every morning he went out at 9
clock and returned about or 81 and
very '-'-'' 80 went out at 6;3O and
Tar until after 12-and
r. 'o~ co|d conjecture
vt M v''s doing be-
cur
Mr.