Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03

At CATALPA VILLA
BY cLARissA c X

Cataipa villa was the shabbiest OF
the long row Of shabby suburban
houses on the dusty street A line OF
dwarf poplars edged the sidewalks
where children played all day long
and the wind quivered among the
leaves as q slight breeze wandered
down the neglected street.
In the front window of Catalpa
villa was a black and gold sign. Fur
nished Rooms to Rent" It read.
Felix Dare alighted from a a at
the corner and walked slowly down
the street, studying the little painted
signs over the doors. These signs
were misleading enough.
For instance, Greenlawn was quite
guiltless of grass In its grubby front
yard, Hope Cottage bore a quite hope
less aspect and Rose Arbor bowed Its
head beneath the weight Of a worm
infested rambler rose bush which had
long since ceased to bloom.
Then came Ca.alpa Villa, named
for the decrepit catalpa tree thai
graced its 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 resuming his burdens he wenl
up the tagged walk to the front door
A fiat-chested. grim-jawed woman
admitted him to a stuffy little hall.
Mrs Beals?" asked Felix pleas
antly.
That's my name" she replied sus
piciously.
Felix smiled. Il met your son
Daniel Beals. when I was in Chicago
and he recommended his mothers
home as an excellent boarding place
I was hoping you had a room fol
me-" He did not add that Dar
Beals was drinking himself to dealt
In the big city. and that Felix's com
Ing to board In this shabby suburb
was prompted BY q vague feeling o
pity for Dams mother.
That's another matter" com
mented Mrs. Beals briskly. TITS tn,
first sensible thing I v 9 knew Dal
Beals to do In ali his worthless LII,
but it's like his father-keen a
hunting up work for me. I've got
front room. bay window. new carpe
last winter. best bed you ever slep
on Want to e IT,"
IF you pleased" Felix followed hi
prospective landlady up the mario,
stairs When they reached the tor
someone opened a lower door and
sweet voice floated up.
Mrs. Beals. you are wanted at tn
telephone"
I'm coming. Just you wait, Nj
Dare. and I'll send the girl to sho,
you the room. It's three-ffty a wee
without board; IL you eat here 1t wi
cost you eight altogether. Annabelle!
Mrs. Beals ran down the stairs wit
astonishing agility and addressed tn
nseen Annabelle. Go upstairs an
show that gentleman the front room
He can come right In II he wants to-
you can get 1t ready in half an hou
Hurry now and don't stand staring {
me SO impudently!"
A door slammed after Mrs. Beal
~retreating form. Then light steI
sounded in the stairs and present.
a girl joined Felix in the upper hall.
Felix stared at her. for Mrs. Bea'
had the most amazingly pretty maj
servant In the woodland she didn
look a bit like a maid servant: st
was a lady from the smooth braids
her coroneted hair to the soles Of hs
neat little black slippers. She VOL
= print gown of blue and a spotlei
vhite apron.
You wished to look at a room
she asked haughtily.
Il beg your pardon-yes!" erie
Felix. passing a hand before his daze
eyes.
Annabella led the way into a ding
front bedroom that gave every ey
dence of being occupied. perhaps. b
tween the fittings Of boarders.
Mrs. Beals herself.
This il the ROOM" said the 81
in~diferently.
"But-but 1t is occupied" hesitate
Felix.
MRS. Beals has been sleeping her
but 1t can be prepared for you with
an hour" replied Annabelle.
Il hardly think" began Felix. ar
then he thought Of his promise to Ds
Beals-Dan had been a newspaper r
porter, and Felix had liked the br
liant. dissolute youth; II in any WI
he could help Dan by stopping vii
Dams mother he would have a Il
at II.
Il will bring my things up now
be said to Annabelle, who was gathe
ing up Mrs. Beals' garments.
When Felix came into the roo
with his bag and violin case the 81
uttered a little startled cry.
You playr" she asked quickly.
He smiled and nodded. Il am
the orchestra Of the Excelsior the
ter.r
."Not-not the new leader. Eel
Dare?" she breathed eagerly.
The Rejuyenator.