Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03
yes" he answered in a surprised

DaA aat oAS you teAd6 eSAS ~
Catalpa villa. Who would stop In
such-ugly shabbiness unless It was
absolutely necessary. and II cannot be
that with you. l have heard about
you. and when I read that you we're
going to give lessons to a privileged
few II" The voice Of the little
servant broke.
You play. You." he asked amazed.
She nodded sorrowfully. Il came
here from Vermont to study had
a sum of money to pay expenses--i
was Obliged to break into II to pay
for an illness. and I came at last to
board here-then l got behind with
my board and she-Mrs. Beals-seized
my violin. and ! am working out what
| owe her. II Is q weary task paying
old score and trying to pay current
expenses"
you poor Child" said Felix sim
ply. you have stopped the l~essons!"
Long ago"
Who was your teachers"
"Benxeet."
"Adolph Benzeet? Then you must
possess unusual talent or he would
not have bothered! am sorry, Miss
Annabelle."
Thank you," she said gratefully.
and now, If YOU will excuse me. Mr..
Dare, I will return to my duties and
prepare your room. My work has al
ways been below stairs, In the
kitchen, but the chambermaid left
this morning and We are short OF help
and I must hasten-we have supper
at six"
AS Felix left the room Mrs. Beals
poked her head through the balusters.
you, 'A~nnabelle," she called.
Have that room ready In bali an
hour-the man has brought the fish
for supper and the table isn't even
set" She nodded sourly at the new
boarder as he came down the stairs.
Lazy thing. that girl" she muttered
for his benefit. Doesn't want to do
a thing except fiddle. fiddle. all day
long! Fiddling don't arm good
money. SO say II"
I'm sorry to hear you say that,
Mrs. Beals." returned Felix mischiev-
ously. 81 forgot to tell you that I'm
in the Excelsior orchestra"
Mrs. Beals eyed him s~uspiciously.
81 don't know as l mentioned that
I'd like my board in advance"
b Certainly" agreed Felix drawing
out his po~cketbook.
Mrs. Beals greedily counted out the
money and when the transaction was
concluded. she asked: my stepson
didn't send me any money by you. did
he?"
Felix smiled. He could not tell hel
that Dan Beals owed him 5000. sc
Dan is not your own SON." was all he
asked.
Il should hope not" she cried de
voutly. II was'a childless widdel
when I married Dams pa and that boy
has been the plague of my life. Make
yourself free Of the parlor. Mr.. Dare!'
Felix threw himself in a chair II
the .stuffy little room In which eacl
separate article appeared to quarre
with the other. II Mrs. Beals was no
the own mother of the unfortunat,
Dan. Felix did not feel any RESPONSIBLE
ity concerning her welfare.
"One week will do me-" sighe'
Felix as he took out a newspaper ant
began to read. But a face came be
tween him and the printed page-th'
wistful face of Annabelle.
II wonder when she will have pal,
her debt?" he unused.
Then an odor Of frying fish insir
uated itself through the house and tn
advent OF, sundry tired and shabb
looking men and women. who found
home here after a hard days work 1
store or factory. told him that Anna
belle had left his room ready for hi
occupancy and that she was at he
post Of duty downstairs.
Four weeks passed and found Fell
Dare still an occupant Of Mrs. Beal'
front room. While Annabelle MAJ
yeled that an artist like Dare shout
be content in that sordid atmosphere
she was glad that he remained. Wo
derful music came from his room
Dreamy strains waited up to Anna
bellies attic room, and after 4 Will
she learned to translate their mear
ing. He was playing to her!
Felix Dare's wooing covered
period OF many weeks. but he did nc
give verbal utterance to his love vi
til one day after Annabelle had pal
off her debt and moved away.
Then he went to see her in he
new boarding place far from Catalp
villa: and in the stiff parlor Of thi
new temporary home he told her tn
most wonderful story in the world.
The following Sunday evening the
went for a trolley ride. and Fell
stopped the car at a shabby stree
and led Annabelle past Catalpa Will
The moon was shining on Tho lionel
catalpa tree, on the hopelessness
Hope Cottage and the provinces
Greenlawn.
"Catalpa Villa is a beautiful: spot,
said Felix seriously. TT will Away
be beautiful in my sight. dear-gues
Why"
Because we met there-and b,
cause love transforms all that is ugl
and sordid." whispered Annabelle.
Copyright, 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa
per syndlcate)
sell over here, but in the States the
sell nv the thousand"