The Detroit times., 1910-12-30

care whether | nave money enough to
pay my rent or not.
The voice OF the star boarder came
from upstairs.
"Merkle. you're wanted on der del
ephone. A lady wants you.
That's you, Merk,e.' said Vein
stein, nudging the newspaper man,
who was lost in his paper.
Mr.. Leitz is calling you; don't you
hear?" said Mrs Bannon.
You're wanted on the telephone"
shrieked Miss Dunstan.
WHAT"
Merkle looked up blsnkly.
The telephone" exclaimed the
landlady and Miss Duncan in chorus.
, oh" said Merkle gruffly, and shuf-
/ fled toward the door.
Amt he the grouch?" inquired
Miss Dunssan.
! Merkle's Strongest Hold.
Most disagreeable man ever had
in my house. asserted the landlady.
IF he wasn't the only one that paid
his board regularly. I'd ask him Tor
his room"
Miss Dunstan sprang TO her feet.
IL beg your pardon, Mrs. Bannon.
don't owe you anything"
Il said regular Mrs. Bannon Was
not 10 be blufed. There's lots OF
times when I've had to carry you
over"
Gracious Miss Dunstan was a
picture of injured dignity. You don't
expect TO be paid in advance. do you?'
1T wouldn't insult me- returned
the landlady.
Mice DnuSfon uac thinLipp ~
reply when Leitz returned.
Say" he said, in a stage whisper,
II got something TO tell you Miss lie
Roy is in the parlor with chenille
man dressed like horseowner."
Wouldn't you think he'd have sense
enough 10 know it was dinner time.
said Mrs. Bannon, pounding the table
with her fat fist
Lucy" sine called ring the bell
outside the parlor. and keep ringing
il till. Miss lie Roy comes out"
WHO is he?" asked Weinstein, hx-
ing Mr.. LeitZ with "A curious eye.
Must be "A new one. ncter seen
aim before
Every one looked around eXpectant-
~ at the sound OF a step on the stair
way. but il was only the belated Tom.
Good evening" he cried cheerily.
as he came in and seated himself near
the foot of the table.
Didn't you hear the bell?' The
landlady was very stern.
Couldn't find my things" said Tom.
Somebody else's stuff is in my
room"
You've been moved to the second
floor back" The landlady was very
much on her dignity.
so | found out
That was a twelve-dollar room you
had. and | gave it TO new man.
Il can't expect to compete with
banker, OF course" said Tom wearily. |
But | hope you'll let ne know the !
next time I'm in the wa an.
Miss lie Roy Has , Caller.
Il run my house to suit myself. Mr..
wilson" shrilled the landlady. No
body ever gets the worst of II with
me. Lucy?"
She's gone upstairs, Mrs. Bannon.
said Miss Dunstan.
You'll have to wait until she comes
down." Mrs. Bannon informed Tom.
That's all right" he replied /
Where's Miss lie Roy?"
SHe Ill the pdIiOi Win dhOehNi
gentleman" said Mr.. Leitz, with
Lucy is calling her down.
Hello, kid" said Merkle, walking
in behind Tom. That telephone was
for you. Didn't know YOU were down
here, or would have called you.
To Tom, Merkle was always as kind
as he was dsagreeable to the others.
Il thought she asked for Merkle,'
said Leitz in surprise.
That's about as near Merkle, as Id
expect you to get said Merkle, con-
Somebody asking for me-" Tom
yasped in open-mouthed astonishment.
Who was it?"
Some lady who wouldn't give her
lame," said Merklc, resuming his seat
and taking up his newspaper. Told
ler you were in the house and she
said she'd come over"