The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1918-08-29
At Catal,p'a
Villa.
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Vua LIB
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III
I'll 6y cLARIoeA nAcK16 81
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
sSopsf'snt' nas. by. y tes ncclurs Nswspa-
Catalpa villa was the shabbiest oe
the long row 0f shahby SUBURBAN
.pouses u" tho dusty street. a line. q
dwarf poplfra edged ID sidewalks
where children played an day Ions.
snd to Wind quivered anaohg ~
elsa~ae, ssi.4 zljgAt Aseaae: wandered
down The neglected Stfeet. - ~
10 the front WlndoY of Cataaa
villa Nas a black ana gold aGn.,
sJurntheA Rooms ID Rent" Il read.
Felix Dtte, aliihted ffoGa q car It
tho coenef, aud walked slowly doWn'
tie street, studying 10 nttle p4tatea
aSns ovef the dose4s<!HAese llItiA
Wero tpislead4n1ss1Qdgh. >ee.,.
For instinct Gre sila1n was quite
suiltless 81 grass IN its grubb3 front
yard. Hope Cottage bore q quite hope
less aspect and Rose Arbof bowed its
head beneath the weight Of q worm
Infested rambler rose bush which had
long since ceased to bloom.
Then came Catalpa villa, named
tor the decrepit catalpa tree that
graced its little strip Of ragged lawn.
Felix paused in front of Cftalpa
Villa. set down his bag and violin case,
and studied little notebook. Then
resuming his burdens he, went tip the
tagged walk to the front door.
A. Aat-chested, grimy-pawed woman
admitted him to stuffy little hall. u
"Mrs. Beals?" asked Felix pleasant
". :.
'That's nv name." she replfed stis-
oiciously.
Felix smiled. 81 met your son.
Daniel Beals, when I was in Chicago
and he recommended his mothers
home as an excellent boarding place.
[ was hopfng YOU had 81 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 n vague feeling Of
pity Cor Dams mother.
"That's another matter" commenced
Mrs. Reals hris,,,v "It,s tho fret CON.
sible thing ever knew Dan Reals 70
10 in all his worthless life-hut it's
like his father-keen at hunting up
work for me! I've got a front room.
bay window. new Garnet last winter.
best bed YOU ever slept on. Want to
see it,"
"If YOU pleasew Felix followed his
prospecttye landIadv mn the narrow
stairs. When thev reached the ron.
some one onened n lower door and a
sweet voice f1oated I'M.
"Nfrs Renls Won are wan+od ot the
telephOn.a."
"T'm coming. inst Won wait Mr..
Dare. and I'll send the girl to show
you the room. It's three-fiftv a week
without board: if YOU eat here II will
cost Won eight altogether Anna.
belle :" Mrs. Reals ran down the stoirs
with astonishing agility and addressed
the unseen Annabelle. eco upstairs
and show that gentleman the front
room. He can come right in II he
wants to-you can get It ready in holf
an hour Hurry now and don't stand
starin. nj me 50 impudentlv
A door slammed ,fter Mrs Reo,s,
retreating form. Then light stems
sounded m tho s+,irs. ona nrosor+l,, a
Girl Joined Fclix in tho INNER hall
Felix stared ot her. for Mrs Reals
had the most amazingly nrettv maid
servant in tho. worldSaod Che d,in,t
look a hit like n maid servant. she
was lndy from the smooth hra,ds If
her coroneted hair IN tho solos NJ her
neat little block sinners She wore
q nrfnt gown Of hlue and a snot,ess
white anron
"You wished Z, look at q room y,
she asked hanehti,v
81 beg your nardon-ves !. cr,ed
Fo,x noss;no a hand hoforo his aa,od
ewes
Annahc,,e led the wav into a d,nov
front hndroom that oavo evorv or;.
denca of hotnp occunied norhons M.
tween tho f,ittinps NJ hoo rdor. hv
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