Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-27
Mrs. TOdd'S
hree-FHghfs-
Front
By Richard q. Sheitoa
Copyright. by Shortstory Pub. COZ

street. yet convenient TO the. cars. its
rooms were commodious and well
heated, and Mrs. Todd was the soul
were in keeping with the housc--a
married couple. Z retired school
teacher. one or two working women
and several pleasant-spoken young
young men. who made little unneces-
sary noise and paid their rent prompt.
ly. All In all. fortune had smiled on
Mrs. Todd since. In early widowhood.
she had taken this lodging house as a
means of livelihood. Yet there was
one grain Of anxiety In her cup of
happiness.
Three-flights-front." at the top Of
the house, was. TO all appearances. a
most desirable room. All day long the
sun shone into 1t and its windows
gave q pleasant outlook across the
chimney pots Of the houses opposite.
1t had a new carpet and very tidy cur
tains. but. despite these attractions.
three fiights,front" was seldom occu.
pied for any length OF time.
Various young men had rented 1t.
and once q young woman had stayed
in 1t for nearly three weeks. In each
case, however the ledger had decided
to change quarters rather suddenly.
and had sought out Mrs. Todd and
more or less haltingly and shame
facedly had given his reason for leav-
ing. The landIady was sure. from
their actions. that they preferred to
keep the real reason to themselves.
though what It might be she was I'M
able to surmise. Many times when
the room was vacant she herself had
occupied 1t for a night. but nothing
occurred to disturb her In the least.
After the ninth occupant had paid
his rent in the middle Of the week
and departed. bag and baggage. she
decided to sift the matter thoroughly.
To this end she moved up to the
front room at the top Of the house.
prepared to meet ghost or demon or
whatever It was that was depriving
an honest woman of the rent OF a
good room. One morning, two weeks
later. she moved down again. rather
white and shaken.
Il shall never sleep in that room
again." she said to Jane. her maid Of
all work, and as she would not dis
cuss the mattel further. 1t was
dropped.
Thereafter. when prospective lodg.
ers applied to her. II no other room
was vacant, Mrs. Todd would say:
II have one. three-flights-front. but
really don't believe you want it."
and generally this was sufficient to
send them away.
One day there came a brisk young
man, and as the ill-starred room was
the only one she had, Mrs. Todd made
her usual response to his inquiry.
The young man happened to be OF the
persistent tyre. He inquired the
price and other particulars and ended
by asking to see the room He seemed
quite satisfied with it. In fact, he SO
EXPRESSED himself in no uncertain
terms. Mrs Todd hesitated.
Before you take it." she said. Il
must tell you there's something-well.
queer about it."
Ghost" said the young man. cheer
fully. II that's it I'd like to meet
him"
Mrs. Todd shook her head.
Not exactly that" she said. still
something decidedly unpleasant"
"Pshav," said he. there's nothing
unpleasant about this ROOM" and he
handed out a weeks rent.
In this way John Knox, medical
student, began his occupancy Of Mrs.
Todds NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS." A week
two weeks-wert past. and nothing
unusual occurred. Tuesday Of the
third week. Knox raped on the parlor
door. Mrs. Todds face wore An anx-
ious expression as he entered.
I've found It," he said. laconically.
What" exclaimed Mrs. Todd, not
the-the Noise?"
Yes" answered Knox. terscly as
usual, gas gIobe!"
Well. l declare" said the land
lady. II never could locate 1t. How
often have you heard II!
"T~ice.- ne replied. First time I
beard It was night before last. II
started up that Internal drone about
ten. Hunted all round before I could
place f. Can't account for II. Can
you'-
= -wrs.- TUsa shook her head neip
lessly.
AT II again las; night Knox con-
,inued. II shut OF the gas and stuffed
the globe with absorbent cotton. That
stopped II. Then I got curious and
took IL out. Every time I anloaded the
cotton. 81 IL would 20 like the whine
Of a cello. Sometimes il sweIled and
sometimes II sank. Deuced 10 could
find ou: what made II. I'm not e bit
superstitious. but III tell rou. frankly
somehow don't enjoy a."
Again Mrs. Todd shook her head