The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-11-06

THE MYSTERY LADY


y nary happened and there was mucl
= interesting speculation as to her pur
8 pose in staying among them. II was
e not as though the arrival had beer
there before. or had friends in the
: vicinity. Neither had she seen tn.
Pryor place, 1t was positively known,
until the day when she alighted from
an afternoon train and walked idly
, down the main street.
4 The old vacated house attracted her
, In passing, for she had paused before
It's broken gate and then walked brisk
ly inside. Miss Peters watching, then
saw the lady go over to the hotel
where she had been known to ask
questions concerning the. owner of the
house. Finding that he had long de-
serted the place for the city she
, sought out his agent in grocery store
and rented the desolate residence.
The new tenant was pretty, Miss
Peters admitted. 'in an extreme citi-
fed sort of way" Certain it proved
that the young woman was extremely
pretty" Also, she possessed pleasing
manner which charmed the store
keepers to whom she went for supplies
and information.
81 will need woman to help me at
once" she said. Gould you suggest
some person in your locality?"
The grocer was glad to suggest Ann
Trimble, and promptly Ann came.
1t was a case of mutual admiration
from the first. Ann stood in awe be-
fore her lovely, modish young mistress
while Judith Gay smiled into the
wrinkled face of the gaunt old woman.
you are exactly the one l shall
need" she said graciously, ito look
after me-generally."
The taking OF the house was an
impulse, Judith Gay explained. The
beautiful country had fascinated her
so that she wished to remain to enjoy
the fancy while it lasted.
~ have decided to furnish only three
rooms" she confided to the formidable |
Miss Peters. Ann will buy for me
hllAl 10 uGNuNu nCIG III lOMI. AIu /
Ann did; that was the mystery part
of it.
When a beautiful woman arrives in
an isolated country village with mere
ly suitcase for baggage, and fur
nishes Immediately part of a tumble
down house for occupancy, there is
surely something unusual in the pro-
ceeding. "Sunnyville" discussing it's
new neighbOr, in vine-screened
porches, ran the gamut of possibili-
ties.
She might be q female detective on
duty or an actual murderess in hiding.
Whatever her secret, the young
woman appeared to enjoy herself
nightly. She could be heard singing
about the tangled garden mornings, or
chatting amusedly with Ann Trimble
IN side veranda at twilight.
Ann bought many delicacies at the
grocery and Judith Gay visited the
austere dressmaker for the purpose
# having frocks made Of dimity.
The stranger looked more charming,
( that could be possible, in her new
simple frOcks, than she had in the
nodish gown.
"Youre like a bit of a girl" Ann
aid adoringly.
"She's an actress, that what she is"
he dressmaker dryly remarked.
Sunnyville's two unattached men-a
widower and a wife-shy
braved the mockery of the Q
own to call upon the mysterious lady. +
The widOwer departed discouraged 7
While the sOught-after bachelor was
decidedly peeved.
"She can keep to herself if she is :,
let on doing it as she says" he an Il
bounced. Il for one won't bother her."
But thereafter, though he formed a
habit of passing many times the old
Pryor house, its mistress continued
OyOusly bent upon her own society
1t was when the distinguished ap-
1earing man began his visits, that the
entire town drew within itself in ,
shocked surprise. This fine looking
stranger was wont to arrive on an
early morning train from the city to
spend the day with Judith Gay in her
garden. Miss Peters heard the girl
live startled cry at his first coming,
hen she had actually seen the man I
'atch the mystery lady close in an
mbrace. 1t was scandalous that
ownspeople must witness such goings
n.
She limited caustlcally at the occur
'ence when Judith crossed to the II
edge. II
You're going to marry him of II
curse" said Miss Peters. II
"Oh! No I'm not" laughed the girl. II
hen unexpectedly Sunnyville was de- II
old Of its one interest. The Mystery II
,ady had disappeared. II
left town on the night train with II
hat city fellow" the station agent L
aid. I
Miss Peters Indignantly sought out /
nm Trimble, who was closing up the u
ouse doors. a
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