The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1919-02-08

AOOp5AA6Aes Lao, " liz hNOAAAO 7SHoPo
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 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 it's grubby front
yard, Hope Cottage bore a quite hope
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 deerepit 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 f~1at-chested, grimy-pawed woman
admitted him to a stuffy little hall.
Mrs. Beals?" asked Felix pleasant
~.
"That's my name," she replied sus-
piciously.
Felix smiled. ST met your son,
Daniel Beals, when I was in Chicago,
and he recommended his mothers
home as an excellent boarding place.
1 was hoping you had a 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" commenced
Mrs. Beals briskly. cts the first sem
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 mel I've got a front room,
bay window, new carpet last winter,
best bed you ever slept on. Want to
see it?"
"If you please!" Felix followed his
prospective landlady up the narrow
stairs. When they reached the top,
some one opened a lower door and a
sweet voice f1oated up.
Mrs. Beals, you are wanted at the
telephone"
"Im coming. Just you wait, Mr..
Dare. and I'll SEND the girl to show
you the room. It's three-ffty a week
without board; if you eat here it will
cost you eight altogether. Anna
belle" Mrs. Beals ran down the stairs
with astonishing agility and addressed
the unseen Annabelle. $50 upstairs
and show that gentleman the front
room. He can come right in if he
wants to-you can get it 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 a
girl joined Felix in the upper hall.
Felix stared at her, for Mrs. Beals
had the most amazingly pretty maid
servant in the woodland she didn't
look a bit like a maid servant she
was a lady from the smooth braids of
her c%orOneted hair to the soles of her
neat little black slippers. She wore
a print gown of blue and a spotless
white apron.
"You wished to look at a roomY'
she asked haughtily.
81 beg your pardon-yes!" cried
Felix, passing a hand before his dazed
eyes.
Annabelle led the way into a dingy
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.
'"This is the ROOM" said the girl
indifferently.
"But-but it is occupied" hesitated
Felix.
"Mrs. Beals has been sleeping here,
but it can be prepared for you within
an hour" replied Annabelle.
81 hardly think" began Felix, and
then he thought of his promise to
Dan Beals-Dan he'd been a 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 a
try at it.
ST 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
raf+nrod n lfffIo oForFIo1 oru