The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-09-01
The Unintroduced Neighbor
By FIELDING BALL
Copyright

poverty, all the fiimsiness of her pre-
tensions, knew even that she had no
right to the name that she went by
that il was one that she had assumed
when she decided to study to be an
opera singer, thinking Rosamund Err
rol more romantic than Aobietta
Beers All this Colonel Dent knew,
and watched her with a suggestion of
his knowledge on his sly, sneering
face. Crittenden knew it; and Anne.
gazing out with scornful attentive
ness; and Mildred. looking with weary
eyes through her peephole into the
outer world
still here," Colonel Dent said. in
an undertone. as Mrs. Enrol approach
ed. she overshot the mark with
Bennett; she's made him so con-
foundedly comfortable-has run his
house so well-that he'd like now to
have her settle down and stay here
which doesn't suit the lady at all.
He'd be perfectly willing to give her
money for lip salves and corset strings
but with her it's $1,000 or nothing"
Mrs Enrol included Colonel Dent
and Crittenden in one gracious bow.
Colonel Dent raised his hat with
hooking eXtravagance; Crittendens
smoth young face took on a sudden
reserve. She stopped and spoke TO
him. apparently not noticing it.
How is Mrs. Lee?" she asked,
somewhat effusively. I'm dying to
see that baby! Mrs Lee herself is just
like a doll. with her funny hair and
how sweet she looks with doll Of
baby in her arms," She looked at
Crittenden eXpectantly.
Mrs. Lee is not receiving callers
as yet" Crittenden said, very politely.
very firmly
see-sheu make an exception of me.
surely" Her smile was ingratiating.
Il fear that we can make no ex-
ceptions-" Crittenden's tone was
pleasant; but there was absolute final
ity about his manner.
Not even IL I come with a present
in my hands, nice little pudding
that I've made all myself?" She was
persistent
Crittenden met her appealing glance
gravely, immovably; and she went on,
with hint OF real color coming up
under the false.
Lord, What nerve the woman
has, And what a tough hidel" Colo
mel Dent commented, looking after
her curiously. Mildred has given
Mrs Enrol every chance in the world
TO see how she felt toward her-and
now she gets off that gush about Mil
dred, and talks about NIildred's maxi
ing an exception Of herI Why, Mil
dred's fought shy OF her from the
very start-she held of when all the
rest OF the women in town were run
ming after Mrs. Enrol. They don't
like 10 be reminded Of IL these days
but they did run after her. everyone
OF them, when she first came; IL was
Mrs. Enrol, Mrs. Errol," everywhere
you went But Mildred never cot
toned to her, somehow. =" The
woman has made up her mind 10
get on the right side Of you-that's
plain TO be seen. She undoubtedly
thinks that she can work you for
something. I'd like TO know just what
was in the back OF her head"
anne, gazing from the sitting room
! WINDOW, was expressing similar
opinion. Il wonder what she thinks
she can get out Of Crittenden? Some
thIng, evidently" she said aloud.
looking after Mrs. Enrol with a little
yawn and stretch How she walks,''
she stood there for a minute. then
turned and began TO clear off the
table in a languid, slipshod way. Mil
dred, hearing the clatter of the dishes
| ana knowing that Anne must have
put down her story took courage 10
ask her II she did not think that il
was time to give the baby something
20 eat. Anne said yes, and that she
would also battle and dress IL while
she was at it; and forthwith lifted il
~ her arms with various little chuck
ing noises, and carried il to the warm
l W she DIOuKnI IL back
three-quarters of an hour later and
iald II on the bed, not urgently. Mi.
1red moved TO kiss its pink cheek.
Ihen she exclaimed sharply:
30. "a anne: You've been giving the
oaoy soothing syrup againi"
Anne fixed an insolent gaze on her
Just drop" she said carelesslv
But l told YOU that l did not want
( you 10 give her any more!" Mildred's
ueIicate blonde face looked very set
ana grim Didn't you remember"
drawf les lyon rehm nen oS,oe Anne
lions about things Soothing syrup
ever hurt a baby yet, if YOU didn't
give II too much. Mother brought ali
! OF as up on il, Crittenden included:
and can't see that we're not every
bit as we'll off as people who were
brought up without it,
don't want you to give the baby
one drop more" Mildred said. impe-
riously. THAT is final!"
so long as I'm taking care of your
baby, III give it what I please" Anne
| repled IN voice not at all loud. bur
IulI OF passion. That's final, too"
She turned abruptly and left the
room, humming the tune that she al
ways hummed when she was very an
CRY.
Mildred drew the baby to her and
lay there with closed eyes, trying to
think of what il would be like when
spring came. and she could wheel the
baby up to Vests orchard, and fiji
her little hands with the big pale
purple violets that grew in one corner
OF IT. BY and by she fell into an un-
easy sleep.
She was awakened by a roaring
sound, feeling of insufferable dry
ness and heat. She reused herself
dizzily. The fire in the little sheet
iron stove had blazed up, was burning
furiously. One side of the stove was
red hot.
"Anne!" she called,
There was no answer.
She piled the bedclothes about the
baby to shield it from the fiery air.
"Anne!" she called again. ANNE!
Annei Anne."
The stove got redder and redder;
the roaring sound, as the flames went
surging up the chimney, grew steadily
louder. The wood Dashboard near the
stove began to smoke; the pungen
smell Of varnish filled the room TIL.
! heat became so intense that her whole
body became suffused with perspira
3 ton. Again Mildred called Anne des
, perately-listened for an answer
J called again. Finally she staggered
to her feet, seized the poker, opene,
the stove door fhan ora vulad no I'll ia