The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-05-26
The Mysterious
Signature.
BY }. LUDLUM LEE.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

"SuDurDanites are un unueisnboiIy,
churlish lot
Thus did Harriet and Pierce Elkins
respectively sum up their first month
nj Meadow Manor, where, on the ad-
vice Of old family friends, Mr.. and
Mrs Sam Rogers. they had taken
picturesque bungalow for the season.
Harriet based her judgment on warp
ing doors and u shortage In books and
other small domestic essentials, sum.
ming mp with the announcement that
when women turned architects houses
would be properly planned.
Her brother founded his criticism on
the fact that the young woman whom
he had nominated as the Meadow Man
or beauty had so far ignored his very
existence. She boarded the $50 train
with him five days out OF seven and
vet seemed TO hold herself aloof not
only from him. but all other masculine
creatures.
She was most competent young
person and never gave him the least
opportunity 10 do her a service. In his
determination to make an opportunity
for knightly service he ignored the
friendly oyertures OF other neighbors.
AT last opportunity appeared on the
horizon. Pierce had taken the e:3O
train home in hopes OF getting a turn
on the links 10 countcract the depress-
ing effects OF falling stocks. and there.
walking briskly ahead Of him under
the archlng trees Of the quaint village.
was the inaccessible beauty. And In
the dust nj the right Of her daintlly up
lifted skirt lay handkerchief. Pierce
ElkIns darted forward.
Il leg your pardon. but ! think yon
dropped this" @..
The girl glanced first at the man.
then at the BIT OF cambria IN bis hand.
and smiled.
"But did not drop H." she said and
In verification Of the statement pulled
her handkerchief from her sleeve.
MumblIng InaudIhle words Of apollo
~. Pierce turned down the opposite
street toward home. Even golf did not
improve his humor. and the next morn.
Ing al breakfa4t his mood had NOT
changed.
"wnl you have two iumps." asked
Harriet as she was pouring the coffee.
Seventeen" growled Pierce.
seventeen. all I'm one cup. cried
Harriet I'm amazement
81 thought you asked me the day u
the uonth." explained Pierce. Two
win do. The fact II. Sis. did not
sleep well last night. md my brain i
befnddIed. That blamed roof leaked
ngaln. and the rain came right IN o.
my bed. I've decided not 10 ~ q
3 town this morning. hut Instead I'm ~.
ing round 10 see our landlord and tell
him what ! think Of him" aa
"The roof over the kitchen leaks,
too" said Harriet plaIntIycly. ''You
might mention that also"
Whats the beasts manner asked
Pierce.
Il really don't know" Harriet an
swered. THE bills come In signed
IL Me- llfT lDNh q AiWsh.
We'll. I won't bother Hook 4 Hook,
for they are like all agents" said
Pierce II want the man higher up
the owner himself. NJ. NJ" be- mased-
Il bet his name Is Mike Murphy. and
III also wager that I'll rouse his Irisl
before | get through with him.'
"fIe lives In the little white bunga
low on Maple avenue. Mr.. Hook point
cd II out 60 me- directed Harriet n
her brother started on his mission.
Pierce soon found the bungalow ant
rang the brIl. lie waited 4 moment
and then rang again. lie was In NJ
mogd 90 wait From the hall Inside
voice called. Coming. coming"
And she came-~the beauty.
rlerrr gaspcd. lie had evidently
made another mistake.
Il ain looking for our missing land
lord" he exclaimed. II really dom
know biz nnme= some Irish contractor
III bet. ASHAMED to sign Ills full mime.
"sIt down on the porch. Won't sou
Me- She hesitntcd. The bcant!
would make no mistakes.
"Elkins i my name Pierce Elkins-
aud fear have made mistake, "!
sister and live In the little red cot
tage on New street I'm searching ~
our landlord unknown. In
methods atruclous. Really Miss-AIlss"-
Now Pierce hcsitated
''sIarkwell." she added.
sThls landlord signs his receipts N
NJ aud I'm after his blood iInl-he,
ElkIne.
Won't you sit downTN again sug
Rested Miss Markwell. and she defti
turned the conversation Into nor
agreeable channels. The landlord wa
forgotten.
Il wonder " your sister would llk
20 know me-" said the beauty finally
Il know u Il my place 20 call. but
rather hesliatcd- well. for several rca
susls.-
"Oh. do wish you would call q
Harriet She's A brick all right and .
lonesome rs a stray cat. No one ha
called yet"
swell. IN come over this nfternoo
while you are on the links" said MlS
Maxwell. with some emphasis abou