Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-11-27
The Mysterious
Signature.
By j. LUDLUM LEE.
1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

The modern bungalow is deluS1On
and a snare"
"Suburbanites are an unneighborly,
chukish lot"
| Thus did Harriet and Pierce Elkins
respectively sum up their first month
at Meadow Manor, where, on the ad.
vice of old family friends, Mr.. and
Mrs Sam Rogers, they had taken a
picturesque bungalow for the season.
Harriet based her judgment on warp
ing doors and a 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
be 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
yet seemed to hold herself aloof not
only from him, but all other masculine
| creatures
She was a most competent young
person and never gave him the least
opportunity to 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 2:30
train home in hopes of getting turn
on the links to counterfeit the depress-
ing effects Of falling stocks, and there,
walking briskly ahead of him under
the archiug 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 darted forward.
81 beg your pardon, but think you
dropped this"
The girl glanced first at the man,
then at the bit Of cambria in his hand,
and smiled.
But | did not drop it," she said and
In verification of the statement pulled
her handkerchief from her sleeve.
Mumbing inaudible words of apollo
gy, Pierce turned down the opposite
street toward home Even golf did not
improve his humOr, and the next morn
ing at breakfast his mood had not
changed.
"Will you have two lumpsY asked
Harriet as she was pouring the coffee
Seventeen" growed Pierce.
Seventeen. all in one cup! cried
Harriet in amaZement.
Il thought you asked me the day Of
the month" explained Pierce. 1.-TWO
will do. The fact is, Sis, | did not
sleep well last night, and my brain is
befuddled That blamed roof leaked
again, and the rain came right in on
| my bed I've decided not to go to
town this morning, but instead I'm go
Ing round to see our landlord and tell
him what | think of him"
THE roof over the kitchen leaks
too" said Harriet plaintively. "Yor
might mention that also"
whats the beasts name" asked
Pierce
Il really don't know" Harriet an
swered. "The bills come in signed
M. NJ, per Hook & Hook"
well, | won't bother Hook & Hook,
for they are like all agents." said
Pierce. Il 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 I'll rouse his Irish
before | get through with him"
He lives in the little white bunga-
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. He was in no
mood to wait. From the hall inside a
voice called, Coming, coming"
And she came-the beauty!
Pierce gasped. He had evidently
made another mistake.
Il am looking for our missing land
lord" he exclaimed. Il really don't
know his name-some Irish contractor,
I'll bet, ashamed to sign his full name"
sit down on the porch, won't you,
Mr. She hesitated The beauty
would make no mistakes.
"EIkins is my name-Pierce Elkins-
'Alli Itdl nave lldue mistake. MY
sister and | live in the little red cot
tage on New street I'm searching for
our landIord-name unknown. but
methods atrocious. Really Miss
Now Pierce hestated
"Markwell," she added
This landlord signs his receipts NJ
NJ, and I'm after his blood" finished
Elkins.
Wont you sit DOWN. again sug-
gested Miss Maxwell, and she deftly
turned the conversation into more
| agreeable Channels The landlord was
forgotten.
Il wonder if your sister would like
| 10 know me-" said the beauty finally.
Il know it is my place to cay but |
/ rather hesitated- well. for several rea-
/ sons"
ooh. | do wish you would call on
Harriet! She's brick all right and as
lonesome as stray cat. No one has
/ called yet"
! We'll, I'll come over This af+arnoor