The Washington herald., 1914-11-04
DAILY SHORT STORY.
AT CArALPA VILLA.
D. cLARIssA MAcKIE.
tCopyrirht, MIl

long row Of shabby suburban houses OF
| the dusty street A line OF dwarf pop
lars edged the sidewalks where children
played all day long. and the wind quiv.
cred among the leaves As a slight breez'
wandered down the neglected street
In the front window OF Catalpa Will
was a black and gold sign Furnished
Rooms to Rent" IL read.
Felix Dare alighted from q car at tht
corner and walked slowly down thG
street. studying the little painted signi
over the doors These signs were mis-
, leading enough
For instance, Greenlawn was quite
guiltless OF grass in its grubby front
yard. Hope Cottage bore a quite hopeless
aspect. and Rose Arbor bowed its head
beneath the weight OF a worm-infested
ceased to bloom.
Then came catalpa Villa. named FOR
the decrepit cataipa tree that. graced Ia
little strip Of ragged lawn.
Felix paused in. front Of Catalpa villa,
set down his bag and violin case. and
studied a little notebook. Then resum-
ing his burdens he went up the Tagged
walk to the front door.
A fiat-chested. grim-pawed woman ad-
| mitted him to a stuffy little hall.
Mrs. Beals?' asked Felix plea sanity.
That's my name" she replied sus-
piciously
Felix smiled I met your son, Daniel
Beals. when I was in Chicago, and he
recommended his mothers home as an
excellent boarding place. was hoping
you had a room for me-" He did not add
that Dan Beals was drinking himself to
death in the big city, and that Felix's
was prompted by a vague feeling of pity
for Dams mother
That's another natter" commented
Mrs. Beals briskly. -'1rs the first SEN
sible thing I ever knew Dan BeaIs to do
in all his worthless life-but it's like his
father-keen at hunting up work for mel
I've got a front room. bay window, new
carpet last winter. best bed you ever
slept on. Want to see it,
III you pleaseI" Felix followed his
prospective Iandlady up the narrow
stairs When they reached the top,
some one opened a lower door and a
sweet voice hoated up.
Mrs Beais, you are wanted at the
telephone" ----------- ------
I'm coming. Just you wait. Mr.. Dare.
and III send the girl TO show yOu the
board: II you eat here lit will cost you
eight altogether. Annabellei' Mrs.
Beals ran down the stairs with astonish-
ing agility and addressed the unseen An
nabelle. go upstairs and show that
gentleman the front room. He can come
right in IL he wants to-you can get 1t
ready in half an hour, Hurry now and
don't stand staring at me 50 impu-
IDENTIFY
A door slammed after Mrs. Beals' re-
treating form. Then light steps sounded
on the stairs and presently a girl joined
Felix in the upper hall.
Felix stared at her, for Mrs BealS had
the most amazingly pretty maid servant
in the world-and she didn't look a bit
like a maid servant: she was a lady
from the smooth braids Of her cOroneted
hair to the soles of her neat little black
slippers. She wore a print gown Of blue
and spotless white apron.
You wished to look at a rOom?' she
asked haughtily.
Il beg your pardon-yes" cried Felix,
passing a hand before his dazed eyes
Anabelle led the way into a dingy
front bedroom that gave every evidence
of being occupied. perhaps, between the
hittings OF boarders. by Mrs. Beals her
self The bed was carelessly made, sun
dry middle-aged feminine garments
graced the chairs. and on the bureau
was a grizzled false front whose right
fuI place was undoubtedly atop Of Mrs.
Beals' head.
-'This is the room." said the girl in
differently.
''But-6ut it is occupied" hesItated
Felix.
Mrs. BeaIs has been sleeping here. but
1t can be prepared for you, within an
hour" replied Annabelle-
II hardly think began Felix, and then
he thought Of his promise to Dan Beals-
Dan had been a newspaper reporter. and
Felix had liked the brilliant. dissolute
youth: il in any way he could help Dan
BY stopping with Dams mother he would
have a try at IT,
II will bring my things up now" he
said to AnnabeIle. who was gathering up
Mrs Beals' garments.
When Felix came into the room with
his bag and violin case the girl uttered
a little startled cry.
You play?" she asked quickly.
He smiled and nodded. II am in the
orchestra of the Excelsior Theater."
''Not-not the new leader, Felix Dare
she breathed eagerly.
Yes" he answered in a surprised
tone.
"'But-what are you doing here-at
Catalpa Villa? Who would stop in such |
ugly shabbineSs unless II was absolute |
y necessary. and II cannot be that with |
you! l have heard about you. and when !
read that you were going to give les |
sons to a privileged few I-I-1 The (
voice df the little servant broke
''You play? You?" he asked amazed.
She nodded sorrowfuliy. II came here |
rom Vermont 10 study-I had a sum of |
money to pay expeRses-I was Obliged to |
Jreak into It to pay for an illness. and |
came at last to board here-then I got |
behind with my board and she-Mrs /
Beals-seized my violin. and / am work. |
ng out what owe her. II is a weary !
ask paying old scores and trying to pay |
current expenses"
You poor child" said Felix simply !
:You have stopped the lessonsTS he
lsked.
Long ago"
who was your teacher
"Benzeet" s !
'Adolph Benzeet? Then you must pos
less unusual talent or he would not have !
bothered. am sorry. Miss Annabeile-"
N'Thank you she said gratefully, and |
low. n you will excuse me. Mr.. Dare. |
WA return TO my dCties and prepare !
four ROOM My work has always been |
,elow stairs, IN the kitchep. but the |
left this morning and We
IRE short Of help and ! must hasten-we |
savo supper at e.
As Felix left the room Mrs Bcals
,oked her head through the balusters.
You, Annabelier- she called Have |
hat room ready in half an hsur-thk man