The Washington herald., 1907-01-12
CUPID'S BARGAIN.
BY LESLIE HOLMES.

seated on a pl8sterer'S horse. studied crit
ically the tiny reception hall. while
LanghOrne, peyched on window seat.
studied the girl and wondered why some
women looked smart and trig even in a
cravenette coat and soft felt hat
These early spring days are so uncer-
tain she was saying. i wish there was
a fireplace in that corner. You could Just
as well build one. for the chimney runs
up there from the parlor, Then we'd have
"a swapping. sparkling fire that would
make the whole house seem charming, /
believe we'd make a sale. rain or shine
Put the freplaces would add TO the
cost Of the houses said Langhorne.
dOubtfUllv
And many prospective customers over
look some other defects in your houses.
I-nOticed you have no back stairs. Now,
every suburban housewife likes separate
stairs fOr her one servant. She is much
more punCtilious in such matters than the
city housekeeper.'
"Eh-whatg'' exclaimed I.anghorne. GU
riously.
YES: and you should have utilized that
wasted space for a closet for rubber
coats. umbrellas overEhoes, &C. \ woman
will fall for couple Of convenient
closets when stained glass windows and
artistic thing are lost upon her
LanEhorne was all attention now.
II didn't suppose that city girl would
notice things so closely
Il began life In a village" said Beth,
quietly. Besides. IL I am to help you
sell these places. I must believe in them.
and 7 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 snsll
alterations that would appeal TO the fem
mime mind were received with respect
Furthermore. all plans for new houses
were brought TO her before the work was
commenced.
Here in the heart Of a cluster of pines.
was to be house Of old English design,
with high gables. sloping roof and quaint
interior finish. Beth watched those plans
grow with jealous care She selected the
timbers for finishing the ceiling Of the
reception hall. living room. and dining
room. The freplaCes she and LanghOrne
designed from pictures Of English country
houses.
The excursions were heavily patroniZed
now. Sales were made while Beths back
was turned. Hollingworth Terrace was
booming beyond the fondest hopes Of its
founders Beth often came in from heI
calls on prospective customers TO ask
anxiously. HAS the Lodge been taken2'
They had named the house of their OWL
planning the Lodge. nothing more, and
somehow she felt that she should hate
the man who bought it.
One night when LaughOrne 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 well 'fess up" she said
with pretended gayety.
He nodded his head.
Yes. we withdrew the Lodge from tho
market at this afternoon"
WHO bought it-and, oh. do YOU think
they Will dare 10 put Turkish rugs in that
old English living room?"
"Oh. no. I assure you he'll have moth
! ing but hand-wOven rugs. just as you sug
/ gested-
"WeH. that is some comfort" the gir
murmured, If he has taste-I can for
| give him. What sort of a man Is he
married or single?~
| "Single-but he bought il hoping that
| certain girl would share II with him"
"Was she with him? Is she nice girl
! DO you think she will appreciate it?' de
/ manded Beth breathlessly. You know
simply love that fireplace in the halll"
| Langhorne rose abruptly and paced tn,
/ floor. Suddenly he paused before he
chair His lips firm. his blue eyes ablaz,
with q light she had never seen there be
/ fore.
do you think-could you make up YOU
mind-to sit beside that fireplace-alway.
with me2''
She looked up at him. her breath com
I ing in short. nervous gasps. her eyes widt
and startled
! "Oh. ! know it's no end of cheeky il
me-but when that bloated barrel of ,
/ Hopkins (you remember you disliked hin
so) offered me $500 to-day for Lodge
/ told him Il was sold I simply had {,
/ buy it myself-and take chances on YOU
/ You're the-certain girl"
"Oh. Teddy, Teddy Langhorner' sal,
! Beth with a glad little cry, well hav,
| hickory logs 10 burn in the fireplaces-an,
yes, yes. I love you! OF course. it ism
all the house, silly, but II does coun
/ some. You know, we built 1t together"
But to refuse $500 for it! Oh. Teddy
that was downright reckless she mur
INJURED later.
"Oh, don't know replied Langhorne
regainng possession Of her hand. Per
sonally, I think I got pretty good bar
gainr'
Copyrighted, 1907. by c. h. sutcliGe.l