Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-11-17
THE NEAREST NEIGHBOR.

ing up the highway at lively gait.
Then he slackened his speed and came to
a stop at the gate that opened on the
pathway that led up to the little cottage.
BEG pardon, MISS" he said, with a
quick smile and a sudden uplifting of his
hat, but may | presume to ask if you
can direct me to some hospitable home
where / can find board and lodging for
a short timer
The girl, who was leaning on the gate,
flushed slightly. There was more than
suspicion of admiration in the bright
eyes that met hers.
Il do not know of any such place" she
answered. But | will ask mother /
have been away at school"
She threw in this bit OF information as
if to excuse a seeming lack of courtesy
in her limited knowledge. AS she
turned to 90 to the house the young man,
hat in hand, closely followed her.
An elderly woman was sitting in a low
rocker behind the vines on the shady
porch.
Mother said the girl, this gentle
man is looking for place where he can
secure board for short time. Can you
tell him where to go?"
IF you please, ma'am," put in the
young man, "Tll promise to give very
little trouble"
The elderly woman smiled. There was
something winning about this young
strangers CHEEKY manner.
let me think" she said. "They
wouldn't have room at Gilman's. Then
there's Alexander's, but James Alexander
e n
is the Changers, on the south road, but
Pm afraid you wouldn't like it there"
She paused and looked him over He
certainly was a very presentable young
man.
He came a step nearer.
Couldn't you MIKE room for me here,
ma'am?"
The elderly woman threw a quick
glance at the girl. Then she hesitated
''We have never had a boarder," she
said. Could we expect a reference?"
Pm sorry" the stranger quickly re-
piled, "but I'm afraid / couldn't refer
you to anybody that you know. The best
| can do is to offer you two weeks board
in advance"
The elderly woman put up her hand.
I'VE don't ask that" she said. per
haps we might accommodate you. We
are plain people, you understand. What
do you say, Milly?"
do as you think best, mother"
The young man spoke up quickly
Pm sure you are very kind, maam.
My name is Pemberton, Arthur Pember-
ton. | am here on little business mis-
sion. II mas something to do with manu-.
featuring. I've been stopping at the tav-
ern for g day or two and / don't fancy
it there. l want place that's more like
horne" And he threw an admiring
glance at the interior of the cottage as
seen through the open doorway.
Very WELL said the elderly lady.
My name is Emory, the widow Emory,
and this is my daughter Millicent
Emory. | can let you have the front
room with board and the price will 1e $4
week. Is that satisfactory"
Perfectly satisfactory, ma'am and /
tank YOU | have bag at the tavern
and I'll now go and bring it here"
The elderly woman arose and turned
to enter the house.
Our supper hour is 6, Mr. Pemberton."
Yes, ma'am. I'll be on hand. After
my experience with the tavern fare I'm
only too glad to make change" He
hesitated a moment after the widow had
passed into the house isn't there a
short cut to the village, Miss Emory ?"
he asked.
'Yes." she answered There is if You
came up by the main road. III show
you the way"
As they passed down the pathway the
stranger paused and pointed across the
| field.
Is that your nearest neighbour he
asked
Yes" the girl replied. THE house has
been empty for some time, but | think
| 1t has tenant now. Some boxes arrived
there the other day and l saw faint
hight in an upper room last night"
Haven't you noticed anybody about
| the premiSes?" he asked in careless
tone. I'm always on the lookout for
haunted houses, you know. They are
quite Il fad with me-"
The girl laughed
I've only seen one person about the
house, but I'm quite sure he was not a
ghost. Unless" she merrily added, he
was the ghost of Hamlet : father. For
he held himself very straight and wore a
long white beard"
very goOd, laughed the stranger
Papa Hamlet no doubt. And the short
cut :"
Go straight across the opposite field
and then through the patch of woods
You will come out ON the lower road and
the village is at the foot of the HILL
Thank you," he cried and strobe
across the highway. He turned when he
reached the other side. Don't forget N
lay plate for me" he called back.
Seems to me like a fine young man
said the mother, when Millicent Emory
! joined her in tue kitchen.
His manners are we'll enough" Mill.
cent answered, but I'm not sure that we
did right in taking him in
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