The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-02

houses now grow smaller, until
range Of neat, modest cottages claim
the entire view. You narrow your
own presumption now into wishing
that one of these, even smaller per-
haps, were yours to pay taxes on.
The car slowed up now for some one.
How stupid of me not to see that it is
my stop there is Nellie on the
corner waving her handkerchief for
dear life, SO afraid would miss the
place.
"The same dear Nellie" said, with
the little breath she left me after one
OF her vigorous hugs. Arm in arm
then we went down the we'll graveled
street to the wonderful home.
stop and take a good look, ma
chere. here at the front gate. Don't
you think 1t a splendid plan? So sim
pie, yet SO adequate"
1 stood as she babe me, anG took in
everything around and about this six
room, slate-roofed, spotless white cot
tage, that was the paradise of two hap
py beings. Nellie's people had had
high ambitions for her in the social
world. Her mother often told me of
her plans and how she hoped to make
a match between Nellie and certain
young man of enviable social standing.
But knew she reckoned without her
host, for where Nellie loved, and only
there, would she leave her heart: 1t
was pathetic to see the disappointment
of this mother when Nellie married.
Why" she said, 'Tom really has moth
ing but ordinary good looks, and l
fairly dread to see my daughter on the
common level of salaried man." It
all came to me as stood and looked
at this radiant beam of Joy, happy to
be let alone with her love; who cared
nothing for social distinction, but, like
the wood wren, was content here in
her own little kingdom.
She had me to go first to the flower
plots, now in full bloom; then to the
row of roses against the side fence,
asking my opinion. at every step of
this and that arrangement. We wound
around to the little garden, (which is
quite wee one," she said, "but will
show you at dinner how we'll It Yields"
Now we came to the chicken yard,
and saw a familiar pucker come in
her forehead, as she begun on her
woes in this part of the paradise. I
knew the trouble before she told me,
for could see how the waddling yell
low hens, a burden to themselves, were
simply dying of ennui, from over at
tention.
"Such beautiful little brood IT
plump Leghorns, took of in May, ma
chere, and would you believe me, out
of the eighteen haven't but two left"
I'm May, Nellie? To be sure, they
all died Of gaps. from running in the
dew" This finished our round, and we
went to the house.
II would have only to peep in the
front door, Nellie, to know you live
here" cried, as scanned the recep-
ton hall and library. had seen some
of the bric-a-brac before, and knew the
other by the taste it represented.
There was nothing cheap or over-done,
everything was plain and genuine,
even to the titles on the books in the
little case under the art window. Mel
lie had put just enough of her sunny
self In the arrangement, to keep 1t
from looking heavy. From room to
room we went, until 1 had seen every
thing, down to "cute" affair to hold
spices and coffee.
Now you needn't peep in the re-
frigerator, ma chere, you are not to
know the menu until 1t is before you
on the table. My skill in this depart
ment is the most wonderful part Of
my work, and is to complete my sur
prise for you, I know your love for
good things, and pretty we'll remember
your favorite Dishes"
] closed the refrigerator, in spite of
the tempting smell within, and was
content to move on front. after seeing
q granite pan heaped with the choice
pieces of acknowledged spring chick
en-, which I knew was not homegrown.
Nov you just tumble into that ham
mock, ma chere. until feed these
noisy chickens; it won't take me
long"
/ "tumbled" willingly enough. 1t
wassa cool uncovered corner on the
side porch, where could watch Nellie
as she went about her little evening
duties. This was quiet street, little
used for traffic, and less used by auto
mobiles. There were several children
on the sidewalk, in clean white
dresses, and fresh curls, trying to get
the others out for the evening romp.
Such 9 sweet soothing air about every
thing. 1t seemed q place peopled only
by those who sign pledge never to
allow friction to enter the midst.
Here, said, Is no restless longing, nor
coveting, for all seem on equal terms;
no emulation. for neighborship is
counted above this venomous trait.
Wise Nellie, sweet Nellie of old, whom
they deemed foolish In her love, but
can they show in the annal Of their
social splendor, q deeper heart, kind
Her hands. ora happier woman than
the queen OF this home? If they. could,
Nellie, they would themselves be hap
pier, and able to understand your
heart q 4. Isl M
eNow I am qnite through. ma chere,
haven'tf thing to do until Tom comes.
which e . half an hour yet; then
will run in and fry the chicken and
break the Ice for tea" She dropped
into a low seat besides the hammock,
and began to pnrr my hand with her
own pinksArm palm.
tASst,"lt ID 10 nice to Nhe In Yonr own