Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-12-16

better stay In ,own that night, an,
was the lSuse properly aired befor
he went into it.
For the first week Arnold himsel
was a little doubtful about his cXperi
mcnt, and Mrs. Austin's fears an,
questions rather annoyed him, bu'
at the end of that time he began tc
get used 10 his new life, and he becam,
more cheerful than he had been foi
months.
BY the time the grass began to turr
green nc could not have been persusd
ed TO return to his old way of living. Iii.
house seemed more attractive as time
went on. He tided the yard, trimmed
the rose bushes and grape vines, and
by the middle of April he began, with
great enthusiasm, to spade up gar.
den patch. lie had lived or a farm
once, otherwise it might not have
seemed SO good to get into the country
again.
Mrs. Austin sighed and shook her
head, anG continued to fear that Ar
mold would break down, until June
came, Then, as she saw no prospect
of getting him back, and as she was
lonesome evenings, she took n school
teacher 10 board. She was very
| pretty girl, Grace Howard by name,
and, as she was quite talkative, Mrs.
Austin's Gjnner table was a very pleas
ant meeting place.
Arnold was rot used to girls. but II
seemed 10 him that Grace Howard
must be different from most girls. he
felt so friendly toward her, and she
seemed such congenlal spirit. lie
told her all about his house, his garden
and of the long rambles he took on
Sundays. They talked of books, and
agreed remarkably well on Thorcau,
Burroughs and Torrey. She listened
with interest to all he told her of his
rural experiences.
The summer went by, and dArnold be-
came more and more enamored of
his country home. The Littlefelds
were constant source of pleasure 10
him, and the two households were very
neighborly.
Fall came, and still the fascination
of his bachelors hall held him.
Then one night, just on the edge of
winter, new idea came TO him. How
much pleasanter ii would be IL Grace
were here" he thought, ms he sat IN
reveric for long time. After that
he kep1 thinking of her being there
and of '-ow well she would become the
house. Especially did he think Of it |
when he sat opposite TO her at dinner.
In March he began housccleanipg. |
lie tore the paper from the walls,
bought paint and brushes and began
theoretically to apply the former
with the latter to the inside wood
work Thea he got large books Of
wallpaper samples and asked Mrs.
Austin's anG Grace's advice about the
choice of the designs. When he or
dered the paper it was in every in
stance tne kind Grace had liked. 1t
took him good while to do the paint
ing and he began to be impatient, so
he hired man to hang the paper.
All this time he was getting deeper
n love with his house and with Grace,
out he told himself he would wait till
zverything looked at its best before
ne brought Grace to see II. After that
ne would ask her an important ques-
ion.
1t was in May that one Sunday, after
'hurch, Mrs. Austin and Grace took
he electric cars and went to see
\rnold's house. He met them at the
.orner of his street and the three went
long together, chatting gayly.
Mrs Austin admired everything
long the way, and when she came TO
ee the interior of the house she was
oud ir her praises. Grace agreed TO
verything, but did not say much.
hey had lunch together, and at
ength Arnold went and saw them on
heir car, then stood watching till It
vas lost TO view. He was very happy,
nd rs he went back home he apostro-
hized his house as il had come to be !
is habit to do.
Il think you made good impress !
ion,' he said. "And I hope the time J
coming when you won't be left all l
lone daytimes. !
The next night, as he was getting on :
is wheel to go home, he saw Grace
aIking along the opposite sidewalk.
crossed over, and, trundling his BIZ s
icIe, he walked beside her. G
"lIow did you like my home ?" asked I
rnold MS they paused at the Austins' II
lte. o
at is very pretty" she said, judicial c
. "Bn; il must be horribly lonesome. o
should die, know, If had to live in "
ch place. Still" she added. smil- W
g, III you like It, that is all that is S
'cessary. De gustibus non est dis h
ltandum, you know. Good night" W
Arnold looked after her as she went a
} the steps Then, as the door closed "
hind her, he mounted his wheel and Il
de rapidly away. "
When he came to his house he looked u
1t sadly. 81 shall have to give you "
y" he said. "It comes hard, but ! &C
We got to do it," II
Nearly two weeks passed before o,'
erything came right so that Arnold u
lld put his question to Grace. u'
After that, when they were making III
ans for the future, Arnold asked: e
'hat shall we do about house" 'e
trace opened her eyes wide, and III
zed at him as though he had asked w, w
'erJ foolish question. W
why, what is the matter with your "a 20.
use? | think it is lovely out there. 81
ask for anything better" ~
arnold gasped. Il thought-you W
d." I'D
o." she answered, sweetly. "that W
g ever so 1onU puo md boya