Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1919-07-11
At Cata1pa
Villa
o0
By cLARIssA MAcKIE


Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per S~yndicate.)
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 a black and gold sign.
Furnished Rooms to Rent" it read.
Felix Dare alighted from a a 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 N its grubby front
yard, Hope Gotta Dor a 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 10 bloom.
Then came Cata'pa 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 f1at-chested, grimy-pawed woman
admitted him to a strffy little hall,
"Mrs. Beals?' asked Felix pleasant
ly.
"That's my name," she replied sus-
piciously. F.,
Felix smiled. 81 met your sou,
Daniel Beals, when I was in Chicago,
and he recommended his mothers
home as an excellent boarding place.
I was hoping you had a room for
me-" He did not aid 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" commenced
Mrs. Beals brlskly. "It's the first SEN
sible 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 a front room
bay window, pew carpet last winter
best bed you ever slept ~. Want tc
see it?"
"If you pleased" Felix followed his
prospective lapdlady up che narrow
stairs. When they reached the top
some one opened a lower door and &
I sweet voice ioated up.
"Mrs. BeaEAXou are waited at tn.
telephone"
"Tm coming. Just you wait, Mr.
Dare, and I'll send the girl to show
you the room. It's three-ffty a weel
without board; if you eat here it viii
cost you eight altogether. Anna
belle !" Mrs. Beals ran down the stair!
with astonishing agility and addressed
the unseen Annabelle. $50 upstair:
and show that gentleman TIE from
room. He can come right in if HI
wants to-@-you al get it ready in hal
an hour. Hurry now and don't stant
staring at me so impudently!"
A door slammed after Mrs. Beals
r~etreating form. Then light steps
sounded on the stairs and presently {
girl Joined Felix in the upper hall.
Felix stared at her, for Mrs. Beal'
had the most amazingly pretty mait
servant in the world-and she didn'
look a bit like a maid servants she
was a lady from the smooth braids Of
lo, a0uoDoAo1 hoi- To tho cO1nc of hQI
neat little black slippers. She wore
a print gown of blue and a Spotless
white apron.
"You wished to look at a roon?
she asked haugatily.
81 beg your pardon-yes! !" cried
Felix, passing a hand before his dazad
eyes.
Annabe1le led the way into a dingy
front bedroom that gave every ev1,
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.
N3ut-but it is occupied" aesitated
Felix.
Mrs. Beals has been sleeping here,
but it can be prepared for you within
an hour" replied Annabelle.
SGT hor51u tbinI< haUan ENliv and
then he thought of his promise to
Dan Beals-Dan had been s. news
paper reporter, and Felix had liked
the brilliant, dissclute youth if n any
way he could help Dan by stopping
with Dams mother he would have a
try at it.
II will bring my things up now"
he said to A%nnabelle, who was gather
ing up Mrs. Beals garments.
yUhap Ea1iv oe mo into tho rOOm