Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-12-01
CHANGEABLE MINDS

l understand Mr.. Ames left here when
he moved away" said the young man.
80, yes" said the old lady. step
right In and I'll get It for you"
While she was gone he seated HIM
self In IA softly cushioned chair and
looked about the room. A large cat
made friendly advances and was set
tied In his lap by the time the old lady
came back. She sank ponderously into
her chair, and looked at the young man
with kindly scrutiny.
Are you Mr.. John Arnold. the new
owner OF MIR. Ames house?"
Yes. The unhappy owner, should
have said II few days ago, but now
have changed my mind"
Arnold did not know what made him
say that last, II was not at all necess-
nry, but there was something In the old
lady's face which invited confidence.
"IndecdT' said she. II wonder why
you changed your mind"
well, I'll tell you about it," he said.
leaning back comfortably in his chair
and stroking the purrlng cat.
II took the mortgage on the place
without having the slightest idea that
II would ever come into my possession.
! did II partly to accommodate Ames
and partly AS a speculation. That was
five years ago. For some time Ames
has been getting behind on his inter
est and | found last week that was
the owner OF the place.
II haven't been here for number of
years, and | did not remember much
about II except that there was a small
house on half an acre OF land and that
II was very far from salable. SO there
| was with white elephant on my
hnnHa nj M MT Ia 20 Inn
well, In u day or two | had a bril-
liant Idea. | was sick In the winter,
don't feel real good now, and the doe
tor every time | see him tells me
must get out doors more. But as | am
situated, there's not much inducement
TO go out doors. My boarding place Is
only five minutes from the law office
where | work, and when one IL tired
he doesn't feel like walking or even
riding the bicycle just for the exercise.
So 1t occurred to me to come out here
to live. Get my own supper and break
fast, you know, and putter around In
Il garden. | can go into town on the
electric cars till the rOnds get settled
enough to ride my wheel. | don't
have to get to the office till ., so I'd
have plenty OF time to take the four
miles easy"
BY the time the grass began to turn
green he could not have been persuad-
ed to return TO his old way Of living.
Mrs. Austin, his former landlady,
with whom he stlll took his dinners,
sighed and shook her head, and contln-
ued to fear that Arnold would break
down. Then, as she saw no prospect
Of getting him back, and rs she was
lonesome evenings, she took u school
teacher to board. She was very pref
ty girl, Grace Howard by name, and,
ms he was quite laxative, Mrs. Aus
tins dinner table was very pleasant
meeting place.
one night. just on the edge OF winter,
new idea came to him. How much
pleasanter It would be If Grace were
here" he thought, and he sat In a rev.
erie for long time. After that he kept
thinking of her being there, and Of how
well she would become the house. Els
peclally did he think OF II when he
sat opposite to her at dinner.
ALI the time he was getting deeper
In love with his house and with Grace
but he told himself he would wait till
everything looked at Its best before he
brought Grace to see IL. After that he
would ask her an important question.
II was In May, one Sunday, after
took the electric cars and went to see
Arnold's house. He met them at the
corner OF his street and the three went
along together, chatting gayly.
Mrs. Austin admired everything
along the why. and when she came to
see the interior of the house she was
loud In her praises. Grace agreed TO
everything, but did not say much. They
had lunch together and ut length Ar.
mold went and saw them on their car,
then stood watching until II was lost
to view.
The next night he was getting on
his wheel to go home, when he saw
Grace walking along the opposite side
walk. lie crossed over, and trundllng
his bicycle, he walked beside her.
How did you like my home" asked
Arnold, as they paused at the Austln's
gate.
1t Is very pretty" she said, judicial
ly.
"But 1t must be horribly lonesome.
should die, 1 know, II | had TO live In
such II place Stlll," she added, smiling,
''lf you like 1t, that IL all that Is neces-
sary. Good night"
Arnold looked after her as she went
up the steps. Then, as the door closed
behind her, he mounted his wheel and
rode rapidly away.
When he came to his house, he
looked at It sadly. II shall have to give
you up" he said. ut comes hard, but
| have got to do It,"
Nearly two weeks passed before
everything came right so that Arnold
could put his question to Grace.
After that, when they were making
plans for the future, Arnold asked.
"What shall we do about a hOuseY
Grace opened her eyes wide and
gazed at him as though he had asked
n very foolish question.
"Why, what II the matter with your
housef think II IL lovely out there.
wouldn't ask for anything better"
Arnold gasped. 81 thought y0u-you
said"
oh" she answered sweetly, that
was ever 10 long ago, ! have changed
my mind susan Brown Robbins.