The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-12-07

At cATALPA VILLA
BY cLARIssA MAckIE.

Catalpa 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 a slight breeze wandered
down the neglected street.
In the front window Of Catalpa
Villa was black and gold sign. Fur
nished Rooms to Rent" 1t read.
l Felix Dare alighted from car 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 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 it's 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.
I A fiat-chested, grim-jawed woman
admitted him to stuffy little hall.
Mrs. Beals?" asked Felix pleas
antly.
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.
l 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 COM
ing to board in this shabby suburb
was prompted by a vague feeling of
pity for Dams mother.
That's another matter" COM
mented Mrs. Beals briskly TITS the,
first sensible thing I 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
front room. bay window, new carpet
last winter. best bed you ever slept
on Want to see it?"
"If you pleased" Felix followed his
prospective landlady up the narrow
stairs. When they reached the top,
someone opened lower door and q
sweet voice floated up.
! MRS. Beals, you are wanted at the
telephone"
!; Pm coming. JUST you wait. Mr..
Dare, and I'll send the girl to show
you the room. It's three-fifty q week
without board; II you eat here 1t will
cost you eight altogether. Annabelle!"
Mrs. Beals ran down the stairs with
astonishing agility and addressed the
unseen Annabelle. go upstairs and
show that gentleman the front room.
He can come right In II he wants to-
you can get 1t ready In half an hour.
Hurry now and don't stand staring at
me SO impudently!"
Z, A door slammed after Mrs. Beal's
retreating form. Then light steps
sounded In 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 maid servant; she
was 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.
T beg your pardon-yes!" cried
Felix, passing hand before his dazed
eyes.
\ Annabella led the way into dingy
front bedroom that gave every evi-
dence of being occupied. perhaps, be-
tween the fittings Of boarders, by
Mrs. Beals herself The bed was
carelessly made. sundry middle-aged
feminine garments graced the chairs,
and on the bureau was q grizzled
false front" whose rightful place
was undoubtedly atop OF Mrs. Beals'
head.
This is the room" said the girl
indifferently
"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
1 Il hardly think" began Felix, and
then he thought Of his promise to Dan
.Beals-Dan had been a newspaper re-
porter. and Felix had liked the bril-
liant, dissolute youth; II in any way
he could help Dan by stopping with
Dams mother he would have try
lat It,
Il will bring my things up now"
he said to Annabelle. who was gather
ing up Mrs. Beals' garments
1 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. Il am In
the orchestra of the Excelsior thea
ter"
'Not-not the new leader. Felix
Dare?" she breathed eagerly.
''Yes." he answered in a surprised
tone.
4 "But-what are you doing here-at
Catalpa Villa? Who would stop in
such-ugly shabbiness unless It was
absolutely necessary, and it cannot be
that with you! ! have heard about
you. and when I read that you were
going to give leasons 10 a nrfvfIocod