The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-05-27
The Mysterious:
Signature.
BY j. LUDLUM LEE.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.

THE modern bungalow is delusion
and a snare"
'.Suburbanites are au unneighberly,
churlish lot
Thus did Harriet and Pierce Elkins
respectively sum up their first month
ut Meadow Manor. where on the aid
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 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 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 service. In his
determination to make an opportunity
for knightly service he ignored the
friendly oyertures OF other neighbers.
At last opportunity appeared ON the
horizon. Pierce had taken the $50
train home In hopes of getting a turn
ON the links to counterfeit the depress-
Ing effects of falling stocks, and there,
walking briskly ahead of him under
the arching trees of the quaint village.
WAS the inaccessible beauty. And in
the dust at the right of her dalntily up
lifted skirt lay handkerchief. Pierce
Ellkins darted forward
Il 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 yerification of the statement pulled
her handkerchief from her sleeve.
Mumbling lnaudible words of apollo.
gy Pierce turned down the opposite
street toward home Even golf did not
improve his humor, and the next morn
Ing 1T breakfast his mood had not
changed
will you have two lumps?' asked
Harriet as she was pouring the coffee,
Seventeen" growled Pierce.
Seventeen, all in one cup.> cried
Harriet In amazement,
II 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 IL
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 plaintiyely. You
might mention that also"
Whats the beasts namei' asked
Pierce.
II really don't know" Harriet an
swered The bills come in signed
NJ. NJ, per Hook x Hook ="
"Well. won't bother Hook x Hook,
for they are like all agents" said
Pierce. II want the nun higher up
the owner himself NJ NJ he nused-
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 moment
and then rang again He was In no
mood to wait From the hall inside a
voice called, Coming, comlng,"
Aud she came-the beauty
Pierce gasped He had evidently
made another mistake.
Il am looking for our missing land
lord" he exclaimed 81 really don't
know his name-some Irish contractor,
III bet, ashamed to sign his full name"
"Sit down ON the porch. won't you,
Mr." She hesltated. The beauty
would make no mistakes.
"Elkins is my name -Pierce Elklns-
and | 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 Mis-. Miss"
Now Pierce hesitated.
"Markwell," she added
This landlord signs his receipts NJ.
NJ A. To -
Elkins.
Wont you sit DOWN. again sug-
gested Miss Mark well, and she deity
turned the conversation into more
agreeable channels. The landlord was
forgotten
81 wonder If your sister would like
to know me-" said the beauty finally.
Il know it Is my place to call. but |
rather hesltated -well, for several rea-
sons"
'Oh, | do wish you would call on
Harriet! She's brick all right and as
lonesome as stray cat. No one has
called yet"
well, I'll come over this afternoon
while you are on the links" said Miss
Markwell. with some emphasis about
the links.
But when Miss Maxwell called that
afternoon it was Pierce who answered
the bell
you see, I've such fearful cold
from that leaking roof" he explained,
that thought ! had better stay home
and nurse it,
Miss Maxwell bit her lip.
II do hope, Miss Elkins," she said,
that ! may be allowed to see this
much talked OF roof while | am here.
The fact Is" she continued, with rath-
er hating speech--"the fact is, oh.
bother-Pm your landlord"
Pierce took firm grip on the table
to keep from losing his balance. Mel
ther he nor ietsspoks, and the
beauty was forced to cover the pause.
I'm the Terrible Turk Pm Mike
Murphy alias Muriel Maxwell, alias
M. NJ" She seemed quite relieved
that the awful news was out
"Well, I'll be hangedp' This from
Pierce