The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-07
THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR
BY FRANCES GILLESPIE. (Copyright,. 1905, by Daily Story Pub
 fishing Col .s

 fishing Co.)
 Jack examined her critically as sht made her placid way down the shady street Her plain gray skirt and white shirt waist were decidedly prosaic while her shoes--,Jack gave an excla- nation of despair. While on earth can't her feet loof like a girls anyhow? feel like going up behind her and skipping her on thu business7 or Lend me ten dollars. lik, a good fellow Instead of that. wher am eventually presented to her high ness, I am expected to blush and tstam mer, and fdget my collar and murmul my delight in an awed whisper. Thini of -the awful pity of girl like that having mflIionsi" And Jack closed hi. eyes to shut out the unwelcome vision The day was radiant one. a cloud less sky. fresh breeze from the wa ter and just enough warmth to make one feel pleasantly lazy; the kind of q da ythat makes one think out and plan
 great things, only to forget them after
 wards.
 Jacks long figure stretched itself lux tiriantly in the hammock and the smoke from his pipe circled dreamily above his head while he eyed the stately walls of his next door neighbours mansion.
 She had only been his next door neighbor for two weeks. but two weeks in the quaint, sleepy little town had been sufficient to set afioat reports of her wealth and extravaganza well nigh unbelievable.
 Simmons, the fruit man, had ventured as far as the front door. and then had met disaster in the form of a cocker spaniel of an inquiring disposition and with an abnormally developed taste for old clothes. Simmons had retired in undignified haste. but not before he had caught a glimpse of luxury hitherto un- known in Cedarsville. and had left a generous portion of his trousers with the spaniel.
 Naturally Simmons was authority up- on all things pertaining to the grand and exclusive house behind it's high green hedge He. had drawn upon his fertile imagination and the result was a series of startling tales.
 ''The guy 'at sicked the dog on me must been a dook." he told his breath less audience at the feed store; "and ye' oughter saw the diamond spittoons setting 'round."
 If simmons audience had been at all oddly critical. they might have. ob- iected here. for the lady of the millions lived alone, except for young girl com the article mentioned, diamond or oth- erwise, except for the use of the afore- said dead swell.
 But no one of Simmons' hearers seemed to mind the fragrant departure from the paths of truth. On the con- trary his widest flights of fancy were received with profound respect.
 The first glimpse Of the fairy princess had been a trifie disconcerting to Sim mons, and c great disappointment to the expectant populace of Cedarsville. She had appeart d at church one Sunday and had entered and taken her seat be- fore the curious congregation realized that she was in their midst. Her gown was a plain dark blue serge and her broad. good natured face was crowned by a mannish straw sailor. FS
 Jack, who occupied a point of vantage directly behind the lady, had distinctly card her shoes creak as she came heav-. fly down the aisle.
 Jack was talking tendcrly to his pipe while the hammock swayed to and fro. The girl I marry must be little and dainty and sweet. The fluffy kind that has dimples and a sunny smile; the kssid that would smile when was late to supper, and ever. darn my socks with smile on her face. Jacks eyes closed dreamily while his fancy pictured this girl of his dreams in various distract ing domestic poses. He saw her pre- siding at his lonely bachelor breakfast table, pouring his coffee and carrying it around to him herself. "Pd rather not have the millions" he muttered, half under his breath.
 It was not the first time he had in- duiged in these delectable dreams.
 Suddenly he sat up, almost tumbling out of the hammock in his haste Across his neighbours yard in mad flight ran the brave cocker spaniel and be- hind him. hotly pursuing, came Jacks own bull pup. Mike.
 Just as Jack cleared the hedge divid- ing the two yards Mike landed on the spaniefs back, and immediately the air was filled with the spaniePs shrill yelps and Mikes deep toned barks.
 Jack ran without ceremony to where his neighbor's garden hose was lying and. quickly turning on the current. ran back to the whirling. squirming mass of black and brown. The cold water put an end to all hostilities and the two enemies stood apart and eyed each other disdainfully.
 You put up a pretty good fight, old man." condescended Jack. as he exam ined the spaniel's wounds. but I'm afraid you got the worst of it."
 Why. how ridiculous!" said a clear young voice, and Jack looked up and straight into a pair of glorious indig- nant gray eyes. He had confused impression of dainty. delicious pink gown, then he suddenly remembered his pipe and disreputable trousers aud