The Arizona sentinel., 1890-06-28

anything which might concern you or yours would be too much trouble for me.
 The blood crept up into Annie's cheeks again. and bending over her work she said nothing.
 Holbrook himself had nothing to say, and he sat for some time toying with the end of the embroidery falling from her knee Finally he said:
 Do you know that have experienced great pleasure in my calls here-pleasure of kind it has not been my lot to ex- perience for several years?'
 Annie looked up wonderingly.
 Il sincerely hope you do find pleasure in your visits here, and it is pleasant to hear you say so. but do not quite un- derstand you"
 Why not?'
 Oh, your words seem to convey a meaning they do not express clearly"
 Perhaps they do You know. of course, that l am a bachelor. We'll, have. ever since l came to the city. twelve years ago, lived in hotel It is nov eight years since my mother died, and the home of my childhood, to which from time to time returned. was broken up. Since that time, this household has been the only place have visited where have been treated with that informal ity l crave, and where the occupants pursue their work as my mother used to do. It is eight years and more since have been permitted by any woman to sit so near and play with her work as do now. and as 1 used to do sitting be- side my mother.
 Annie was provoked with herself as she felt the blushes mantling her cheeks, for she had noted the tone of tenderness which underlay his words. To blush was to assume that this tenderness was di- rected toward herself. when his words conveyed nothing of the sort, and when without doubt only the recollections of his mother and his home had been stirred by entering their domestic circle. She made an effort and replied:
 1t is a pleasure, then, at very small cost, am sure, MT. Holbrook."
 "A pleasure duly app. eciate."
 Was your mother widow?'
 "'Yes With but two children, sis ter and myself My sister is married and lives abroad-her husband occupies a diplomatic position"
 1t is hard to lose ones home. It must be. do not think could content myself to live for all time as we are now. want home of my own. which l can deck and beautify my own way"
 ''l think you, yourself, would beautify any place however bare, and make it home, Miss Templeton."
 This was direct enough. and the blush swept ED ag&in over her face Hol- brook did not wait for reply, but con- t,nuei
 "It is woman who makes the homo. Men may erect house, fill it with cost ly furniture and beautiful works of art, yet it is only an abiding place. Until some woman graces it with her presence and her life it does not become home"
 Annie looked up archly and said:
 "If you appreciate home so much, Mir. Holbrook. why do you not obtain one for yourselfT
 Hoi5rook looked at her steadily, and with not even the suspicion of smile on his face, replied
 Sometimes the heaven we most de sire Is not attainabIe. But l propose to attain mine if can by earnest endeavor It is only within short time that my heaven has been shown me. and when the time is meet I'll put my fortune to the test.
 Then without permitting reply he quickly said:
 Come, Miss Templeton. the day is fine, the air good and you have been much housed of late-come with me for short walk. I'll bring you back to your mother in time for dinner"
 Annie willingly acceded, and ran away to prepare herself for the walk.
 As she walked and chatted with him freely and with more gavety than she had ever shown him before, she was hap pier than she had been since her brothers death. and she was surprised to find how bright the day was and how joyous a time the autumn could be.
 And Holbrook thought it rare day one in thousand.