Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-06-06
The Mysterious
Signature.
BY j. LUDLUM LEE.
Copyrighted. 1913. 10y Associated
Literary Press.

tNuifii NbliAtN dlt IN ~ .
churlish lot"
Thus did Harriet and Pierce Elklns
respectively sum up their first month
at Meadow Manor. where. on the ad
vice of old family friends, Mi. and
Mrs sam Rogers. they had taken II
picturesque bungalow for the season.
Harriet based her judgment on warp.
ing doors and Il shortage in books and
other small domestic essentials. sum
ming up 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 MS 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 70 hold herself aloof not
only from him, hut an other masculine
creatures.
She WAS most competent young
person and never gave him the least
opportunity to do her Il service In his
determination to make an opportunity
for knighily service he ignored the
friendly uNcIiures of other ncighhors.
At last opportunity appeared on the
horizon Pierce had taken the 80
train home IN hopes of getting turn
ON the links Ia countcract the dcpreSs-
ing effects of falling stocks. and there.
walking hriakly ahead Of him under
~" archug trees Of the quaint village,
was the inaccessible beauty And in
the dust at the right Of her daintily up
lifted skirt lay a handkerchief. Pierce
ElkinS darled forward
II hog Your pardon hut think you
dropped this"
The girl Glanced first at the man.
then at the hit Of camhric IN his hand.
ana smiled
"Bui lid not drop It," She said and
in verihcation of the statement pulled
her handkerchief from her sleeve.
Mumhling innudhle words Of apollo,
ay Pierce turned DOWN the opposite
street toward home Even golf did not
improve his humor. and tile next morn
Ing at breakfast his mood had not
hanged
"Wil YOU have two Jumps asked
Harriet rs she was pouring the coffee.
Seventeen" growlcd Pierce.
Seventeen. all in one cup" cried
Harriet in Arrangement
Il thought you asked me the day OF
the month" explained Pierce. Two
will do. The fact is. Sis. | did not
Sleep well last night. and my brain IS
bcfuddlcd That blamed roof leaked
again and the rain came right in on
my bed I've decided not to 20 10
town this morning. but instead I'm go
iug round 10 see our landlord and tell
him what | think OF him.
"lhc roof over the Kitchen leaks.
too, said Harriet plantiycly You
might mention that also
What's the beasts name" asked
Pierce.
Il really don't know" Harriet an
swcrcd. The bills come In signed
NJ. NJ. per Hook y Hook "
Well | won't bother Hook X Hook,
for they are like all agents said
Pierce. 81 want the man higher up
the owner himself NJ NJ. he muSed-
Il bet his name IS Mike Murphy, and
I'll also wager that III rouse his Irish
before | get through with him"
He lives in the little white hunga-
low on Maple avenue Mr. Hook point
ed it out TO me-" directed Harriet as
her brother started on his mission
Pierce soon found the bungalow and
rang the bell He waited a moment
and then rang again. lie was in no
mood to wait From the hall inside
voice called, Coming. coming"
And she came-thc beauty
Pierce gasped He had evidently
made another mistake
II am looking for our missing land
lord" he exclaimed, Il really don't
know bis name some Irish contractor.
I'll bet. ashamed To sign his full name. 4"
Sit down on the porch won't YOU,
MIR" She hcsltatcd. The beauty
would make no mistakes.
"EIklns Is my name Pierce Elkins
aud / fear have made mistake My
sister and | live In the little red cot
tage ON New street I'm searching for
our landlord name unknown. but
methods atrocious Really Miss Miss
Now Pierce hesitated
Maxwell" she added
This landlord signs his receipts "
NJ and I'm after his blood" finished
Elklns
Won't you sit down." again sug-
pested Miss Maxwell. ana She deftly
turned the conversation into more
agreeable channels The landlord was
forgotten
Il wonder IL your sister would like
To know me" said the beauty finally.
Il know it is my place % call. but
rather hestated well. for several rea
sons"
"oh. do wish you would call on
Harriet. She's brick all right and rs
lonesome as stray cat No one has
called yet"
We'll. I'll come over this afternoon
while YOU are on the links" said Miss
4