St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-07-06
MYSTERIOUS. LODGER.
nv y. H. SMITH.

ny y. H. SMITH.
In q little house, in little street,
lived Mrs. Tubbs, a widow, and he1
only daughter, Melinda Tubbs.
Miss Melinda was very a1niable,
very fascinating in her general make
up and the rumor was current that
Mrs. Tubbs would leave Melinda q
nice 1splum' when she had ashufled
off this mortal col. but notwifh-
standing all this the young lady was
still Miss Melinda Tubbs.
She stood a very fair chance of
passing her declining years in a state
of single blessedness. But Miss Me-
linda did not seem to appreciate the
beauties Of that kind Of life, and was
continually casting her sharp eyes
round, seeking a victim whom she
might haul into the matrimonial
moose.
f
Mrs. Tubbs kept a boarding house
sfor gentlemen only" as she always
specified IN her advertisements.
The number Other boarders gen
orally ran all the way from two to-
eight.
Now, of course, these Iodgers de-
sired amusement for their spare mo-
ments, especially when rain or any
other obstacle confined them 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 power to en-
trap one Of them.
It was quite amusing to them to
watch her numbering opera at the
Wretched piano, and affecting coquet-
tish airs and graceful attitudes, with
charming aiP Of not knowing that
anyone was in tile room; that was In
expressibly absurd.
As for being deceived or taken in
BY any Of the tricks, they laughed at
the idea.
To be sure, there was wild rumor
in circulation to the effect that aonce
upon a time" boarder had become
enamored of the manifold charms Of
Miss Melinda and had offered her his
heart and hand, and also several thou
sand dollars in government bonds, but
for some cause unknown the wedding
never took place:
Simpkins, the boarder in the sec
ond floor back, suggested that the un-
fortunate man had seen his betrothed
taking herself to pieees,a and was
50 overcome by the sight that he had
fed in horror and Sought q watery
grave. That was Simpkins' expires
sion. And the other boarders gen
orally conourred with his view Of the |
story, though the majority were du
bions about the existence Of any man
10 hopelessly insane as to fail in love |
with Miss Melinda Tubbs, and scout
I'd the whole tale with seorn.
Fortunately for Miss Melinda's
peace Of mind she knew not what 9th
+ people thought Of her, and serene
y kept on her way, while the boarders
came and went, and still she was Miss |
Melinda Tubbs.
AT last one morning a gentleman
came, engaged a room from Mrs.
rubbs, paid a week in advance and |
gave his name as Edwin Mortimer.
aging be would send his trunks in
he afternoon, and would take his din
Ter out, and then he walked away, ut
erly unconscious of the fact that his
mage was impressed on the heart Of
Miss Melinda Tubbs, who had been
at him through the keFhole
Turing the interview, and was quite
overcome by his personal appearance.
sSuch a handsome mani. she
nurmured, when she had retired to
he solitude Of her room; such splen-
/
lid eyes! such beautiful black hair!
nd such an elegant air. He spoke to
ma as if she were queen. Edwin
dortimer! What a sweet namel 7
ronder who he can be?s
Mr. Edwin Mortimer soon became
puzzle to Hiss Melinda that she tried !