Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-06-13
lie acant
Char

Chair
By oabrieHe May Robinson
Copyright. 1919. - western NswspapsR Unioa)
She was known as Miss Douglas and
had lived in the handsome old mansion
on the hill for two years, making no
acQuaintances in the village and keep
ing very much to herself. It was only
when her former maid married and
went away, and after q new maid had
been employed. that the town people
gained soma knowledge Of the inner
life Of the senous-faced but still.
young and handsome woman who had
become sort Of mystery 10 than
hyra Lee was the nsw maid, and
when at the end Of week she was
given an afternoon and evening OF 70
Wait her folks. sR,e HAD an animAt@t
story 10 IN .~-- - i. I.
"Mis Douglas II 4 s5anes hkehs
snA hyra In Ae9 artlaes wey. "She
laads al DIV nearly. M0 lBte n
tto aftemnon It takes 40 Aapqg b
~ ready Tor dinn>r. = int y mnnh
what she has 10 eat, 0AlA II always
choice and plensJ, but yoa ought . -
how beautifully she dsssas fds the
neal And oh alch layont az al1e1
.ana china and cut slaaI A1d6 ~
spaRy Aapsr1i And she sits II tAs
s1andsst state, and have to wgik on
he table IN . special dreqR And the
1bng plates set at the tabR.
s1euRv repeated Myra's mother Gu
riexaly.
"KAA tas1 theA-fcs, paac1 ~ set
and anla ono filed And tho first hight
I saN all this she said, :Ayra. you
na>d not remasA a fancy I haze 4qs
4avipg the table set for tbPss eulsss.
Il mak0 me fed lesD lopeeome.'p
'Why, thsre must be dxss especial
paople Miss Douglass thinks off, N.Y.
ra's mother crudsly expressed herself.
That must be it," nodded Myra;
ANYWAY, it's q regular thing every
dinner NEAL Miss Douglas seems to
like it. too, for she is nearly an hour
at table,"
All kinds Of suesses were r1fe when
this information got out. Husband,
children, parents, brothers and sis
certainly the impelling motive Of
the table set for four applied to some
individuals who had played an impor>
tant part in the past lite Of the lonely
lady in the house on tho hill.
Then, very Often" went on Myra's
narration, Miss Douglas stands at
the front window and aeoks out the
walk to the street, just ~ II ahe was
watching for somebody she expected
But that somebody never comes"
With Myra the program she had o.
pdcted became a matter Of regular o.
eurrence and lost it's unique and myB-
trying flavor. But one evening there
was deviation from the dull routine.
The table was all set and Myra was
chatting with the Waterman who had
Just taken up his night patrol Of the
neighborhood, when an automobile
drove up in front Of the house. Myra
ran into the house to see Miss Douglas
at the door welcoming with unfeigned
delight two Misunderstanding men,
whom sha called in turn Leonard and
Marcus, and whom Myra soon under-
stood were brothers who had not Wis
tied her for many years. And Myra
also learned through her keen vision
and sharp hearing that one was a
Judge and the other a prominent ply
stefan in q distant city.
"How I have longed for this VISIT"
Myra heard Miss Douglas say, when
the di nner had begun.
"And always prepared for u.s." spoke
the Judge, as he glanced over the per
lection Of table service. Then he rest
ed his gaze upon thu ono vacant chair.
adele" he said with gravity, ut Is
on his account that we have come"
"His' palpably referred to the per-
son who might have appropriately
Alled that vacant place at the table.
Peering from the next room. Myra no.
tlced that Miss Douglas began to pale
and tremble. She lowered her eyes
and her breath became rapid and
tkemuloes.
"He came to as in the city-after all
these years." subjoinsd the other
brother. "He r. I believe, changed
man, Adele. In fact there 10 every evil
dence that he has suffered and has re-
formed. But there u his long deser-
ton, his terrible career Of dissipation"
"But If that Is ended. end yon are
sure-sure!'' cried Miss Doug in
tone as poignant as though her heart
had been suddenly pierced by q keen
pointed knife, 1T he has cast aside
the cruel, cruel drink. then, then"
her head dropped and the tears rained
from her eyes.
There was ring at the front door