The Wahpeton times., 1918-10-17
At Catalpa
Villa
nSp
BY CLAR1sSA MAcKIE

! ] 1
ssSss >1,,ts Sts1Ss 49,; g; -
Copyright. 1915 by tie McC are Newspa-
per Syn6,cate.)
Catalra Villa was the shabbiest O..
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,
| anu the wind quivered among the
/ leaves as a slight breeze wandered
down the neglected street.
i In the front window of Catnlpa
villa was a black and gold sign.
FURNISHED Rooms to Rent" it read.
! Felix Dare alighted from q 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 q quite hope
less aspect and Rose Arbor bowed its
head beneath the weight Of 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
ecSumfng his burdens he went up the
Jagged walk to the front door.
A flat-chested, grimy.pawed woman
admitted him to stuffy little hall.
"Nfrs. Beals?" asked Felix pleasant
".
"That's my name." she replied sus.
piciously.
Felix smiled. "I met your son,
Daniel Beals. when I was in Chicago,
and he recommended his mothers
aOme 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 COM
Ing to board in this shabby suburb
was prompted by vague feeling Of
pity FOR Dams mother.
"That's another matter" commenced
Mrs. Beals briskly. "It's the first sen.
sible thing ever knew Dan Beals to
10 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 jt?'
"If you please!" Felix followed his
prospective landlady up the narrow
stairs. When they reached the top,
some one opened lower door and
sweet voice floated up.
"Mrs. Beals, you are wanted at the
telephone"
''I'm 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; If you eat here it will
cost you eight altogether. Anna
bellew 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 if he
wants tc-you can get 1t ready in half
an hour. Hurry now and don't stand
staring at me so impudently!"
A door slammed after Mrs. Beals'
retreating form. Then light steps
! sounded on the stairs and presently
] girl Joined Felix in the upper hall.
| Felix stared at her, for Mrs. Bea1S
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
print gown of blue and spotless
white apron.
"You wished - look at room?"
/ she asked haughtily.
II beg your pardon-yes! cried
Felix, passing hand before his dazed
! eyes.
..nnabelle led the way into dingv
front bedroom that gave every evil
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 a grizzled
false "front," whose rightful place
was undoubtedly atop Of Mrs. Beals'
head.
'1This is the room," said the girl
indifferently.
"But-but 1t is occupied" hesitated
Felix.
"Mrs. Beals has been sleeping here,
but It can be prepared for you within
an hour" replied Annabelle.
II hardly think" began Felix, and
then he thought Of his promise to
Dan Beals-Dan had been q news
paper reporter, and Felix had liked
the brilliant, dissolute youth If in any
way he could help Dan by stopping
with Dams mother he would have q
try at 1t.
II will bring my things up now"
he said to Annabelle, who was gather.
ing up Mrs. Beals' garments.
When Felix came into the room
with his bag and violin case the girl
uttered a little startled cry.
"You play?" she asked quickly.
He smiled and nodded. II am. In