Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-04-09
The Stone
Fireplace.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Homer sprague.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.


the limitless expanse of snow. Miss
Frazier, pacing from window to win
dow Of her little cottage, felt impris
oned.
"Oh, pussy cat pussy cat" she said
10 the cat curled up on the window
seat, II shall die OF loneliness"
The cat gave sleepy attention. and
Miss Frazier shook her gently. "Of
course you don't care" she said, but
who could have believed that snow and
cold weather would have come so ear
lyl And all the other cottagers have
gone back to town. But can't My
rent Is paid for six months, and can't
afford to lose It."
Once more she began her excited
walk across the floor, while the cat
went to sleep, and deadly quiet reign
ed. At last Miss Frazier could stand 1t
no longer. She put on her hat and
coat and a pair OF rubbers, Pauslng
on the threshold as she went out, she
addressed the cat Electrically.
"Sleep on" she said. II go to seek
my fortune" And she houndered
through the snow to the gate.
The road, deep with drifts, offered
new discouragements Miss Frazlers
long skirts dragged and grew heavy,
and at last she stopped and sobbed
aloud, II can't 20 onp
Help came In the person Of little
man IN high boots, who appeared from
the other side OF the drift.
''Got stuck, did yer he asked cheer
lily. ''Well, you ought ter stayed at
home. 'Tain't weather fer wimmin to
DO out"
Miss Frazier looked at him haughti-
". In her code there was no place for
bad grammar, and besides, as a spin.
ster OF spirit, bis reproof grated on her.
women can't stay In and die OF
loneliness" she told him stifiy.
The little man looked at her with
sympathetic gray eyes. Lonesome,
was YEP be said. "Well, now. that's
too bad"
Hia sympathy warmed the cookies Of
Miss Frazier's heart. 1t was 80 long
since any one had cared. The last Of
her family. she had taught school in a
big city until III health had forced her
70 resign. Then she had rented the lit
tie cottage at the questionable resort
and had prepared to live there for six
months. hoping for the benefits OF
fresh air and free life. There had
been other cottagers near but they
had their own interests, so that even
IN the warmer months Miss Frazier
had been lonely, and now that snow
had come her situation seemed unbear-
able.
There were tears in her eyes as she
stood there, forlorn and cold In the
drift and the little man said again
''Wsll, now, that's too bad You'd bet.
ter git into the house. You'll ketch
cold"
II hate the house." said Miss Frazier
nercely. 'sThere isn't soul there but
the pussy cat"
II live up at the farm" no Informed
her. 'T'm the new manager, and there
amt nobody there but a lot Of men
and q colored woman to cook for us
There's good deal Of work, you
know"
Miss Frazier didn't know, but she
found herself listening eagerly to his
talk Of Guernsey cattle and OF blue
ribbon horses. with all the rest Of the
homely farm details.
The little man helped her up the
path and landed her on her own door
step safely. In spite of the biting ali
he jerked bis cap of as he babe her
goodby,
"Come In" she urged. 'oh, please
come in. don't think can stand II
10 face the pussy cat all alone"
His kindly blue eyes smiled at her
'rd like to come" he said. "'Taln't
very Bociable up at the farm"
The little room was cheerless enough
Miss Frazler's ginger Jars and Mexl
can hats had been artistic summer &C
eessories. but In the gray light Of the
snowy day they merely served to EN-
phasiae the bleakness. In the stone
fireplace was a bunch Of goldenrod
gone to seed. The only warmth came
feebly from rickety stove In this
summer kitchen.
'Why amt you got fire In the fire
placer the little man demanded as he
surveyed the cayernous structure.
Il haven't any wood" shlvered Miss
FraHier. I'll couldn't get any"
Perhaps be read In her hesitation a
confession Of poverty, but he did not
AJAX any more questions.
'I1l be back In a minute" he said
presently and went out, and when he
returned he was bending Atlas-lIkO un.
der the weight OF a great log that had
lain for days by the roadside.
There" he said as he deposited II
IN the fireplace. II you win take out
them Wild flowers wen have a flre."
Miss Frazier obeyed meekly.
''How strong you an" she breathed
~Oh. law. yes" said the little man;
II hin lift most anything"
He made several trips after that,
finding enough dry wood In the shed to
start the ere, and soon 1t was roaring
glorlOusly.