Smyrna times., 1907-02-27


wife likes separate stairs for her one
servant She is much more punctilious
in such matters than the city house
keeper"
"Eh-what?' exclaimed Langhorne
curiously.
Yes, and you should have utilized
that wasted space for a closet for rub
ber coats, umbrellas, OvershOes, etc. A
woman will fall for a couple of con
venient closets when stained glass win.
dows and artistic tiling are lost upon
her."
Langhorne was all attention now.
81 didn't suppose that city girl
would notice things so closely"
81 began life in a village" said Beth |
quietly Besides, if 1 am to help you |
sell these places 1 must believe in |
them, and 1 cannot believe in them |
unless they are right"
Before the next excursion day rolled |
around Beth had examined every house |
under way, and her suggestions for |
small alterations that would appeal to |
the feminine mind were received with |
respect. Furthermore, all plans for
new houses were brought to her be.
fore the work was commenced.
Hollingworth Terrace became the cen
ter around which everything moved,
and Aunt Ellen studied plans and Of
fered suggestions to young Langhorne,
who had taken to bringing drawings to
the cozy Graham fiat. So far simple
cottages costing $4,000 or less had been
erected. Now they were planning more
ambitious residences and plotting the
most valuable site of their holdings, a
broad knoll that overlooked the river
and surrounding country.
Here in the heart of a cluster of
| pines was to be a house of old English
design, with high gables, sloping roof
and quaint interior finish. Beth watch
ed those plans grow with jealous care.
She selected the timbers for finishing
the ceiling of the reception hall, living
room and dining room. The fireplaces
she and Langhorne designed from pic
lures of English country houses.
The excursions were heavily patron
lied now. Sales were made while
Beth's back was turned. Hollingworth
| 1OAAuNN was OOOAhAA15 w OhO IhS AOho-
est hopes of its founders. Beth often
came in from her calls on prospective
customers to ask anxiously, "Has The
Lodge been taken"
They had named the house of their
own planning The Lodge, nothing
more, and somehow she felt that she
should hate the man who bought it..
One night when Langhorne dropped
in to call he did not look her in the eye.
He talked about any and every subject
but Hollingworth Terrace, and Beth
knew that The Lodge had been sold.
"You might as we'll fess up," she
said, with pretended gayety.
He nodded his head.
eyes. We withdrew The Lodge from
the market at 4 this afternoon
"Who bought it, and, oh, do you
think they will dare to put Turkish
rugs in that old English living room?'
"Oh, no. 1 assure you he'll have
nothing but hand woven rugs, just as
you suggested''-
"Well, that is some comfort" the
girl murmured "If he has taste !
can forgive him. What sort of man
Is he. married or single?
"Single, but he bought it hoping that
! a certain girl would share it with him. ~
"Was she with him? Is she a nice
girl? Do you think she will appreciate
it|' demanded Beth breathlessly. "You
know l simply love that fireplace in
the hallr'
Langhorne rose abruptly and paced
the floor Suddenly he paused before
her chair, his lips firm, his blue eyes
2 ablaze with light she had never seer
there before.
'Do you think-could you make VI
your mind-to sit beside that fireplace
J -always-with me?"
She looked up at him, her breatl
: coming in short, nervous gasps, he
, = eyes wide and startled.
"Oh,- know it's no end of cheeky II
I me, but when that bloated barrel of ;
, Hopkins you remember you disliket
u him sol offered me $500 today for TIL
p Lodge told him it was sold. simpl.
% had to buy it myself and take chance
on you. You're the certain girl.''
= "Oh, Teddy! Teddy Langhorne!
III said Beth, with glad little cry. I'VE
have hickory logs to burn in the fire
u places-and yes, yes, / love you! o
u course it isn't all the house, silly, bu
u. it does count some. You know, W
ie built it together"
"a .
y y "But to refuse $500 for it! OIL
=, Teddy! That was downright reel
= lessp' she murmured later.
- "Oh, 1 don't know" replied Lani
= horne. regaining possession of he
- hand. Personally, I think l got
"a pretty good bargain"