Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-04-03

hAo hVAA DAaJ IL hAb OWh Naboh-
ter had lived she would have been
about the age of Penelope. He cleared
his throat.f
MY dear Miss Compton" said he, II
have always considered an empty barn
a menaceuo the public. Sooner or lat
err It draws tramps or firebugs. SO let
there be no talk OF rent. 1t will be a
favor--a positive favor to the Mason
estate II YOU and your family will oc-
cupy 4 during the summer months
When can you move inn"
1.-THE end of the weekly Saturday."
said Penelope joyfully.
"Goodl Il shouldn't wonder II my
wife and were out that same after
noon to look things over before my
summer Vacation And, by the way,
wonder II you'd do us the kindness
to store "a Boston bulldog for us dur
ing the snmnier months? He has
hehlttynicpNst tones and teeth, and I
don't think you'll be troubled by vaga-
bonds"
"a plucky girl" he unused to him
self as he watched her retreatlng fig-
ure. Then he chuckled softly The
rent she had offered to pay Vas quite
sufficient In itself, but 1t would have
been less than bagatelle to the Ma
sons, with their immense fortune. Mr..
Carey's position was one OF friendship
rs well as trust, which let him mar
gin for any altruism 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 sofa constructed Of soap
boxes. Bowls of wild flowers stood
here and there. And Penelope, trip
ping about with new elasticity to
her STEP was like a 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
Scholastic would commute every day.
"a oPt Inf In n
gust that young man on horseback
came to inspect their dwelling anus
ed appreciation glowing In his frank
brown eyes 1t was Aldrlch Mason, Jr.
II hope you won't think 1t imperti-
nent of me-" he said. but after the
wonderful things that Carey told me
when got back from the other side
felt | had to come and see for myself
how unique 1t was"
"Shall ! show you throughT said
Penelope. nllighing, and he dismounted
and followed. As she gave him drink
of his own well water he looked at her
before he touched 1t to his lips ITO
the Quickest, bravest girl In the
world" he said.
He came the next afternoon with
books for her mother and the follow
ing one with magazines for Penelope.
After he had ridden away Penelope
went and stood by her favorlte fence
rail looking off across the fields. There
came a soft thudding of hoofs behind
her. Aldrich Mason was back again.
Don't think me an internal bound
err" he pleaded, but you know it's
going to be whole week before ! see
you again, and In the meantime I'd
like to ask If Pm-if Pm cutting In on
some one else"
mo" Penelope said, with smile
''If write TO you will you
Perhaps" said Penelope demureIy.
"Good" he cried buoyantly and rode
away Il second time.
Penelope watched him go with II
happy hutter at her heart. The fairy
prince had come at last. and 1t prom
Used to end as all good stories and
good fairy tales should, and Penelope.
with feeling that her arid life was.
since her barn discovery, MI touched
with rainbow colors, stood looking off
across the fields till the evening star
and the purpllng shadows warned her
1t was time to make the homeward
way.