The Topeka state journal., 1908-07-14
TIE EVENING STORY
Hunting a House.

keys as he inserted one of the num-
ber into the lock OF q door on a
large, empty house, turned the key
and threw the door open.
"Step in, Miss House-Hunter-for-
Another" he exclaimed with a mag
nificent wave OF his hand.
Dorothy White laughed as she en-
tered.
''I only hope Bertha likes the
house we pick out for her." she re-
piled. "Bertha's the first prospective
bride I ever knew that couldn't fin6
time to go house-hunting herself. And
10 is just as bad. It's wonder to
me they ever found time enough to
decide to get married."
while we,", assented Wilson, mot
only have time enough to investi-
gate innumerable dwellings for them,
but also have SO much leisure that
we could get married several times
II we cared to-
(which we don't" the girl prompt
ly cried. I'm going to be a bachelor
girl" she added with certain air
Wilson laughed.
What" he cried. "a bachelor
girl? And with those rose-petal
cheeks and those twina<iins eyes
"You mustn't say rnose things"
Dorothy, blushing prettily, stopped
Its a cousins privilege" declared
Wilson.
But you're only third cousin"
That's good enough excuse, de-
clared Wilson. and continued as
though he had not been interrupted,
land with those lips-those kissable
lips!"
He advanced toward her.
1--WE heard something more about
cousins privileges he exclaimed.
t-y toll
across the length of the big room
in which they were standing, to the
big bay window that overlooked the
porch.
"This house seems almost too big"
she exclaimed hurriedly. ut would
seem cheerful and lot Of people,
too, 1 think. =
II guess you don't like your little
cousin" sadly murmured Wilson from
his post across the room.
"Oh, pshaw, of course 1 do"
Dorothy exclaimed, laughing and
blushing. Don't be a goose!" She
hurried on, I'm sure Bertha and 10
wouldn't care for this place. Let's
try another house."
PLENTY more to try" declared Will
son. "I've got the keys here for
about a million and a half" and he
tangled the keys again.
They left the big house with its
big rooms, big bay window and big
veranda and hurried away. Wilson
consulted list which he had in his
pocket and then directed their steps
into a quiet, pretty, little side street
where the houses were mainly cot
tages with miniature gardens and
lawns in front, and where general
air of homely coziness and comfort
seem to prevail.
In the middle Of one of the
ognpciaIlv attractive
little home with e tiny veranda and
tree or two in the 'front.' yard. The
house seemed to have a saucy air as
though it was saying to every one,
I'm all nice and cozJ. Don't you
wish you were as comfortable as
am?"
The girl clapped her hands when
"Oh, what a dear little housed"
she cried. "Oh just love it,"
Its one Of those I've got a key
for, too." said Wilson.
p. The girl clapped her hands again
and, opening the gate. ran up the lit
tie path to the veranda where, shad-
ing her face with her hands, she
peered into the interior.
ITS just dear" she cried again.
as Wilson opened the door and she
ran in.
From room to room she darted.
breathlessly, then, the inspection fin
ished, she sat down on the third step
of the stairs which ran from the hall
to the second story.
Its just the thing for Bertha and
Jo." she cried at last. II know just
how they can arrange everything. The
front room they'll have fixed up nice
and livable. Joe will have big easy
chair there by the window. where he
can smoke and read in the evening,
and the piano will be opposite the
window with its side to the wall, so
that Bertha can play and yet see 10
while he smokes. And then that
open fire-think how cozy it will be
for them in the winterI"
Eyes, that would be all right for
some couples" said Wilson, but
honestly, Dorothy. do you think that
10 and Bertha, with all their money,
would be content to begin life in
humble cottage like this, in the hum
BILE way you suggest?"
"Why, Harry, of course they will"
the girl exclaimed in a hurt tone.
when they see what a dear house 1t
is they'll just fall in love with it like
have"
Maybe" said Wilson dubiously.
but it strikes me tnar 1t would be
more suited to. well, say for example.
a couple like us-if we were married.
The rent of this house can't be much
and 1 haven't got much money.
You're in love with the house and I'm
in love with-it. too. Now"
"Goodness!" she exclaimed. We'll
have to hurry If we're going to in
vestigate all those other houses!"
Somewhat sulkily Wilson locked
the door of the little house. But he
and the girl visited no more houses
that afternoon for Wilson, very sud-
denly, became converted to the idea
that Bertha and 10 would be
charmed by the little house, and
nothing would do bu, ne must see
the real estate agent and secure an
option on 1t. The girl demurred at
this at first, but Wilson finally con-
vinced her that Bertha and 10 would
be nightly pleased at their action in
securing such a desirable home for
them.
The real estate dealers ONCE was