Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-05
Evening Star S
Daily Story
AT CATALPA VILLA
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure News
naner Syndicate

e1Akalpa Villa was the shabbiest Of
me 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 a slight breeze wandered
down the neglected street.
In the front window of catalpa
Villa was black and gold sign.
Furnished Roomseto Rent 1t read.
Felix Dare alighted from a car at
the corner and walked slowly down
the street, studying the little painted
signs over the doors. These signs
we're misleading enough.
For instance, Greenlawn was quite
guiltless OF grass in its grubby front
yard. Hope Cottage bore 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 Catalpa Villa, named
for the decrepit catalpa tree that
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 went
UP the tagged walk to the front door
A flat-chested, grim-pawed woman
admitted him to stuffy little hall.
Mrs Beals?" asked Felix pleasant
~.
That's my NAME" she replied sus-
piciously.
Felix smiled. II met your son,
Daniel Beals, when was in Chicago
and he recommended his mothers
home as an excellent boarding place.
| was hoping you had room for me-
He did not add that Dan Beals was
drinking himself to death in the big
city, and that Felix's coming to board
In this shabby suburb was prompted
by vague feeling of pity for Dams
mother.
That's another Natter COM
mented Mrs Beals briskly. ITS the
first sensible thing ever knew Dan
Beals to do in all his worthless life
but it's like his father-keen at
hunting up work for me. I've got a
front room, bay window, new carpet
last winter, best bed you ever slept
on. Want to see it?"
If you pleasey' Felix followed his
prospective landlady up the narrow
stairs. When they reached the top,
some one opened lower door and
sweet voice fioated up.
Mrs. Beals, you are wanted at the
telephone"
Dare, and III send girl to show you
the room. It's three-fifty a week
without board; if you eat here it will
cost you eight altogether. Annabellel'
Mrs. Beals ran down the stairs with
astonishing agility and addressed tho
unseen Annabelle go upstairs and
show that gentleman the front room
He can come right in If he wants to-
you can get 1t ready in half an hour.
Hurry now and don't stand staring al
me so impudently!"
A door slammed after Mrs. Beals's
yetreating form. Then light steps
sounded on the stairs and presently
. 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 bit like a maid servant; she
was lady from the smooth braids OF
her coroneted hair to the soles of her
neat little black slippers She wore
p print gown OF blue and a spotless
white apron.
you wished to look at a ROOM"
she asked haughtily.
IT beg your pardon-yes!" cried
Felix, passing a hand before his
dazed eyes.
Annabeile led the way into a dingy
front bedroom that gave every evil
dence OF being occupied, perhaps. be-
tween the fittings OF boarders by
Mrs. Beais herself The bed was
oarelessly made, sundry middle-aged
feminine garments graced the chairs,
and on the bureau was grizzled
false 'front.'" whose rightful place
was undoubtedly atop of Mrs. Beals's
head.
"This is the ROOM" said the girl
fndifferently.
"But--but 1t is occupied" hesitated
Felix.
'.Mrs. Beals has been sleeping here,
but 1t can be prepared for you within
an hour" replied Annabelle.
At hardly think" began Felix, and
then he thought of his promise to
Dan Beals-Dan had been a news
paper reporter, and Felix had liked
the brilliant dissolute youth; IL in
any way he could help Dan by stop
ping with Dams mother he would
have try at 1t.
ST will bring my things up now"
he said to Annabelle, who was gather
ing up Mrs. Beals's garments.
When Felix came into the room
with. his bag and violin case the girl
uttered little startled cry.
you play?" she asked quickly.
He smiled and nodded. az am in
the orchestra Of the Excelsior Thea
tre."
''Not-not the new leader, Felix
Dame?" she breathed eagerly.
YES" he answered in surprised
tone.
sBut-wfiat are you doing here--at
Catalpa villa? WHO would stop in
such--ugly shabbiness unless it was
absolutely necessary, and 1t cannot
be that with you! / have heard about
you, and when l read that you were
going to give lessons to a privileged
few IL" The voice of the little
servant broke.
"You play. You?" he asked
amazed.
She nodded sorrowfully. ''I came
here from Vermont to study-I had
q sum of money to pay expenses--I
was obliged to break into it to pay
for an Illness, and / 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. 1t is weary task
paying old scores and trying to pay
current expenses
you poor child" said Felix sim
ply. you have stopped the lessons?"
he asked.
Long ago."
Who was your teacher"
'Benzeet.'
"Adolph Benzeet? Then you must
possess unusual talent or he would
not have bothered! I am sorry, Miss
Annabelle.''
THANK you," she said gratefully,
sand now if you will excuse me- Mr..
Dare, / will return to my duties and
prepare your room. My work has
always been below stairs, in the
kitchen, but the chambermaid left
this morning and we are short of help
and 1 must hasten-We have summer