Smyrna times., 1908-01-15

L IA ~ "A L Nl EE)a w II - 4
his iron gray hair. If his own daugh-
ter had lived she would have been
about the age of Penelope. He cleared
his throat
My dear Miss Compton" said he. Il
have always considered an empty barn
menace to the public. Sooner or lat
er it draws tramps or firebugs. So let
there be no talk of rent. 1t will be
favOr-a positive favor to the Mason
estate if you and your family will oc-
cupy it during the summer months
When can you move in?"
The end of the weekly Saturday"
said Penelope jOyfully.
Good! | shouldn't wonder if my
wife and l were out that same after
noon to look things over before my
summer vacation. And, by the way,
l wonder if you'd do us the kindness
to store Boston bulldog for us dur
ing the summer months? He has
healthy chest tones and teeth, and |
don't think you'll be troubled by vaga-
bonds"
- DluNh4 gill; le luuSGu " nllAl-
self as he watched her retreating fig
ure. Then he chuckled softly. The
rent she had offered to pay was quite
sufficient in itself but it would have
been less than bagatele to the Ma
sons. with their immense fortune. Mr.
Carey'S position was one of friendship
as well as trust, which left him mar
gin for any aItruism he choose, and he
smiled inwardly as he thought of the
MasOns' amusement when they found
to what uses their barn had been put.
1t was radiant Penelope who greet
ed her family at nightfall. and week
later they were enscOnced in their
new home. The great floor of the barn
was the living room. The stalls held
cots and the loft was stored with lin
en- and wearing apparel. Gay posters
and magazine pictures decorated the
walls. Bright calico cushions were
piled on Il sofa constructed of soap
boxes. Bowls of wild flowers stood
here and there. And Penelope, trip
: ping about with a new elasticity to
her step. was like Il wild flower her
self, joyous with bloom.
Every day the great doors of the
barn were open, and air and sunshine
riOted within. BY night came cool.
dewy Odors of hedgerow and field.
Week by week PenelOpe's mother
grew stronger. Week by week Ruth
: lost her pallOr and became more vivid,
more full of life. They would stay
till the sharp frOsts drove them city
, ward, Penelope decided. AS for her
schOol-she would commute every day.
1t was on an afternoon late in Au-
, gust that a young man on horseback
came to inspect their dwelling, anus
r ed appreciation glowing in his frank
e brown eyes. 1t was Aldrich Mason, Jr
2 81 hope you won't think it imperti
nent of me-" he said but after the
: wonderful things that Carey told me
2 when l got back from the other side
t felt had to come and see for myself
t how unique it was"
S "Shall l show you through?" sai(
e Penelope, laughing, and he dismOunteC
C and followed. AS she gave him drinl
$ of his own we'll water he looked at he
before he touched it to his lips. ''T,
i the pluckiest, bravest girl in tn,
+ world" he said
g He came the next afternoon witt
n books for her mother and the follow
d ing one with magazines for Penelope
It After he had ridden away PenelOp
g went and stood by her favorite fenc
e rail looking off across the fields. Their
: came soft thudding of hoofs benin,
2 her Aldrich Mason was back again.
S Don't think me an Internal bound
e er," he pleaded. 'but you know it
l. going to be a whole week before Sc
p you again, and in the meantime L,
5 like to ask if Tm-if I'm cutting in o
J. some one else?"
mo" Penelope said, with smile.
T. 'If l write to you will you
Y Perhaps" said Penelope demurely.
S "Good!' he cried buOyantly and rod
IT away a second time.
r, Penelope watched him go with
1t happy futter at her heart The fair
le prince had come at last, and it prom
id ised to end as all good stories an
H. good fairy tales should, and PenelOp
a with feeling that her arid life wa
d. since her barn discovery. all touche
IS with rainbow cOlors, stood looking o
K across the fields till the evening sti
s. and the purpling shadows warned hC
to it was time to make the hOmewaI
of way.