The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-03-02
! THE MYSTERIOUS !
} TENANT. !
AAA~AAN%~A~~~


took friendly interest in the ten
ants affairs, and assumed that they
took an interest in hers. When Miss
johnson arrived, with the largest
amount of baggage ever brought to
the fats, even by lady, Mary "took
to her" at once, and volunteered her
assistance in unpacking. While they
were engaged in their pleasant occu-
patton, she arranged to come in and
do Miss Johnson's hair every evening
Its every bit her own" she told
the porter's wife, "and- her complex
ion, too; and you can see she's never
been used to do things for herself
never saw such manners like she's
got, except in a play, nor book
either"
On the second evening Mary told
Miss Johnson all about her family,
and on the third evening, while she
was acting as lady's maid, she con-
fided that she was engaged to one
John Jones, "a very respectable
young man in the grocery line; and
his mothers brother an inspector of
police and can't bear me to look at a
man hardly-not that want to.
Why, he's jealous even of the gentle
man next door
What is he like?" Miss Johnson
asked.
Mary fumbled in her dress and pro-
duced locket
He's fair" she said, "and his hair
II tell him it is gingery, but it's a
golden sort of brown"
HE looks a very nice sort of fell
low" Miss Johnson said, quite good
looking. hope you'll be very happy,
but l meant the gentleman in the
next fiat. I've not seen him yet"
MARY paused in her hairdressing to
reply with sufficient impressiveness
And you never will, miss" she
declared, NOR anyone else. Seven
months come next week I've waited
on him and never set eyes on him
or been in his rooms further than
the hall-not to dust them even.
Goodness knows what state they'll
be int"
Doesn't he ever go out?"
"Never!" said Mary, emphatically.
"ThaG is very strange"
Strange! It's downright unnat-
ural, and he must be off his head,
though it's sensible enough what he
writes on the slate, I'll be bound to
say"
The slater" Miss Johnson looked
inquiry at Mary in the looking glass.
"The slate!" Mary repeated, nod
ding her head, HE writes his or
ders on it and puts it outside his door,
and I bring the things he wants, and
leave them there, and when I've gone
he takes them in. Sometimes 1 speak
to him. but he always writes the an
swers-when he answers. Once a
week he writes, Yourself and leaves
half crown on the slate. So I've no
cause to complain, and him wanting
next to nothing done, either, but it
gives me the creeps talking to man
that no ones ever seen. I think nc
doubt it's love affair that's driven
him to it, though l do say it's ridicu-
ious nonsense. and he ought to be
shaken, and she, tool"
He must have been very fond OF
her.. Miss johnson said, thoughtfully
And she must have treated him
shockingly," Mary added, trying to
see Miss Johnson's face in the glass.
Yes, but don't you think that a
man who carries on in this absurd
way must have been very trying,
Mary?"
Their eyes met at last in the look
ing glass.
I'm sure he was, MISS Mary said
emphatically. ~And the lady mayn't
have been to blame a bit, for all ]
know"
Il am not defending her. 1 think
~ am sure she would-would let
him forgive her, if he wanted to. But
you see, she can't find out while he
behaves in this ridiculous way.
II she wrote to him?" Miss John
son shook her head Most like he
wouldn't open the letter." Miss John
son nodded. she wants drawing out
of his shell, so to speak. If some one
could do something to remind him OF
her, that would be good way to be-
gin, should think. 4"
Yes, Miss Johnson agreed. @That
is why THAT is what should think.
She was always fond of roses-like !
am" There were roses all around
her rooms always. "He used to send
her some every day. and if there is
anything that would remind him OF
her" She picked some out OF a
bowl and handed them to Mary.
Put these in a glass and stand them
on his tray the next time you take
anything"
Yes, miss, Mary beamed. "It's
like novel. And if he asks who sent
them?"
Miss Johnson smiled.
You can say Miss Johnson" she
stated.
And ] always knew it couldn't be
your real name, Mary cried. Sand
I don't suppose he is Smith, ether
The next morning Mary shook her
head when she brought Miss John
sons early tea.