Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-08-13

PTeSSeu eNcltelnent. MIS-. Dunyegan
looked nervOusly about.
"Where is Miss Tinpenny? She Is
the only one absent. I do hope her
poor nerves have not given way. Did
you find out anything definite from the
bellboy about the person on the ground
floor. Mrs. Fish?"
She took small piece Of paper from
her reticule as the timid lady made
answer.
II inquired from Albert by way OF
an opening II the rooms in the hotel
were pretty well filled. 'Middlin',' an
swered the bellboy." Mrs. Fish referred
to her paper as she continued; "he
said. Them two rooms on the ground
floor bein' occupied makes more work !;
she's an awful ringer. Wants things
all the time. But the boss says It's
none Of my business, and If his HELM
likes to complain of his way of doIn
things 1t can get out. One thing I can
tell you, misSuS: them two downstairs
Is a rum COUPLE I sat at the table
and wrote every word he said as well
as could. do like to be exactI"
Dear me, dear me, are you sure he
said couple" gxsped Mrs. Pepper
At this point the door was flung
open and Miss Tinpenny came stag
gering into the room, threw herself
into the morris chair and began to
sob.
Its dreadful" gasped Miss Tin
penny. "If~I can compose my nerves
l Will tell you ALL spoke to the
chambermaid about"
The horror of the ground floor"
supplied Mrs. Pepper.
"Yes. just it-hOrror Is the word"
continued Miss Tinpenny 81 spoke to
Matilda. the chambermaid. gave her
my second best satchel and asked her
to tell me all about Miss Burkholder."
Matilda cheerfully answered, oh,
she's all right, but queer. Her rooms
are full of beetles and bugs pinned on
papers. She is making human nature
studies or something She takes nil
ner meals In her room. The waitress
says her trays are something dreadful
when they 60 back to the pantry. We
all think that she feeds that borr,d
object she keeps shut I'D in her back
roOm.'"
"Oh, did she say that?" gasped Mrs.
Fish,
lust wait till tell you ALL" walled.
Miss Tinpenny. "When Matilda left
me l think l tainted. for the first
thing / knew I was stumbling along
toward the bathS-hOt mineral water
o1ten reviveS me. Can you believe me
when tell YOU that heard a plain
tive, besecching call of Help helpr
coming up from Miss Burkholder's
rooms, and then in reply horrid.
snappN voice said Now Shut up"
"Oh, Miss Tinpenny." said all the
ladies' In a breath, chow dreadful I"
I'VE must decide what to do at
once announced Mrs. Dunvegan.
Then the ladies rose in body and
gathered their cups, and Saucers on
the table, just as Mrs. Dunvegan's an
cestors might have thrown down their
swords then formed into body and
marched along the hall.
When they reached Miss Burkhold.
er's door Mrs. Pepper knocked. There
was great rummaging and shutting
inside, then the door opened and Miss
6urkholder looked with establishment
I at her visitors through large, heavily
framed spectacles.
Mrs. Pepper bowed. 1--WE have come
10 call upon you, Miss Burkholder."
she announced.
"Oh, dear me, this is sudden. I'm
not prepared for visitors; could Won
call another timer"
mo"
voice. "We have come today and will
not be put off. We want TO know
what goes on in your back ROOM"
wen. come in, then, and look to
your hearts content. But" added
Miss Burkholder savagely, 81 think 7
told You quite plainly, ladies, that I
was busy and did not want to be both
cred dressing, talking and fooling nv
time when 1 wanted to study. I am
sure 1 cannot offer you chairs. You
see everything is filled with my specI-
mems; l even had to put the beetles
on the bed
Never mind chairs" said Mrs.
Looney kindly, evidently relentinp,
lust let us take a peep into your back
room"
"What shall I do?" grOaned the Door
lady In evident distress. "ReaIly 7
would sooner you did not"
I'VE demand you to open that prison
house, squealed Miss Tinpenny, al
most on the verge of Mysteries "In
the name of humanity we demand It,"
Mrs. Pepper now went boldly for
ward and opened the door.
On table by the window. in q gilt
cage, sat Il parrot In solemn medita-
tatiOn. For 81 moment he tOlerantlv
eyed the body of militant females.
then called WIInln ,nnn4 IL s<s,