The Girl Next Door

amine "Benedict's Folly" by broad daylight. In the streaming sun of a June morning t

ould have been interested in it

yawned Marcia, sleep

mind; "from your story last night it seems there must be two people living there-but look here! how

the chair was evidently large, and rather stout, and-and different, somehow, although I didn't see either of their faces. And

at nobody seems to know about the second one. I wonder who s

a long while. I don't want to be interrupted. Aunt Minerv

by Marcia's window, each occupied with a dai

lady in black would go out again in the afternoon, as she did before, but she didn't. Then, a day or two later, I did something that surprised even myself, for I hadn't the faintest intention of doing i

ted me to ring that bell and see what would happen. I never stopped to ask myself what I should say if some one came and inquired what I wan

t I'd say if any one did really come. But I needn

nswered Jane

ht footsteps on the walk behind the gate. But, instead of coming toward the gate, they were hurrying away from it; and in

ccurred. It was Miss Benedict, who had been just about to come out on her way to do the marketing

about it. And I was so annoyed at myself for ringing at all. If I hadn't, I might have seen Miss

ong toward dusk. Several days passed, however, and I never did. I had thought of watching from my window to see when she went out, and then following her. But that didn't seem

the morning, when I went to take my walk. You know, I've found that on these warm summer days in the city it's much pleasanter to take a walk in the r

section there, and the stores often open up quite early, so that folks can do their marketing before they go to work. It was a beautiful, cool morning, and I was quite enjoying

ocery-shop; and a minute or two after in I walked, went to the counter, and stood right near her. There was no one in the store beside ourselves and the grocer. He looked sleepy, and was yawning while he wrappe

that not a bit of her face could be seen. Her dress was the most old-fashioned thing-it looked twenty years old, if n

e-like, and so-so appealing! It somehow went straight to my heart. It made me feel as if I wanted to take care of Miss Benedict, somehow

terested and awfully curious about the whole mysterious affair, and, I'll confess, just a wee bit repelled by the account of the queer little lady and the strange way she lived. I wanted to know the explanation of the mystery, but I didn't particularly want to know her. But after that, I felt different,-so

do go on. Did you

eard-something else that's strange

uick!" dema

nd jumping. First I thought it must be a big dog, for it couldn't possibly have been either one of those two old ladies, running and skipping that way! And then I heard a soft humming, as if some one were singing a tune half under the breath. And then, very soon a

t they'd be likely to do. I think it must be some one else, more-more human and natural, somehow. And younger, too. But what on earth do they all keep so shut u

" and its inmates in all their peculiar phases. But, turn and twist it as they migh

begun taking lessons here yet? You know that was one of the principal things yo

, "and I've practised quite hard lately. It's about al

egged Janet. "I'm just starving for some good mu

t lovingly under her chin, she sat down in the window-seat and ran her bow over the strings in a shower

rite!" Marcia laid her bow on the strings once more, and slipped into the tender reverie of the "Tr?ume

n of her gaze, and turned to stare out of the wind

s, and a frame of golden, curling hair falling all about it. Straight over at the two in the window it gazed, eager, absorb

a long breath and g

! There is some one else in

"But do you realize who that third person is, Marcia Brett? It isn't