The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-06-24

much You can put into a house"
There's the $50 Jim saved, the bank
account, little insurance, some that
Hobbs owes u.s.
After a mental accounting she gave
the total of her capital. Sol shook his
head discouragingly.
You can't do II noways for that
money
knock out the cellar" commanded
Doxy, land take Off the blinds. In the
fail Will use the turkeys for blinds
The turkeys repeated Sol wonder
ingly.
The money 1 get for selling them
I mean"
When the blinds were OF. the bay
window deducted. the gables torn off,
the back porch taken away, the stairs
removed and a general clearing of fire
place, attic, paint, plaster lath and par
titions had been effected. the amount
of cash available was triumphantly
reached.
The architecture appealed to Sol rs
easy to build, but was not in accord
ance with his ideas of what dwelling
should be.
Your house won't have no fnsides
Miss Barton, but III be on hand to-
morrow to begin" said he disapprov.
inGly.
When he had gone she again resum-
ed her twilight reveries.
Miss Doxy!'
She started and. turning saw the
! figure of lad so like the youth of the
long ago that there was n monlentary
stirring in her heart like pain.
Don't You remember me? Laurie
I<nox?"
He was Jed's young nephew, who
had been used as n child to spend his
summer vacations with his uncle.
Little Laurie! y man.
II hope so,'' he replied, taking her
hand Il came today for visit after
all these years. We just heard of the
fire, and Uncle Jed asked me to come
and see YOU and ask if there was any
thing we could do to help you. Won't
you and your father come over to On
Gle Jed's and stay, just for night any
way!'
Had it been so long, then. his strug-
giles: She pondcrcd sadly. 1t hurt
her that he could not come himself,
but must send another. She thanked
the boy kindly, but declined the invi-
tation. After talking Il few moments
Of old times she babe him go to the
barn and see her father.
You had better come, too' he plead
ed. 81 don't believe it's just good for
you to stay here"
She smiled at his boyish wisdom.
Just few moments more, Laurie
and then I'll join you and father"
1t was very quiet. \ lone bird
called. She felt solitary and outlawcd.
A third time she was interrupted
There was no installing the man.
jed. strong and straight, his SrimnesS
softened, but showing in the lines OF
his face. came straight up to her.
'DoXy. l thought they would never
go. AS soon as l sent the lad l knew ]
must come myself. l took a short cut.
but the Opper man was ahead Of me
and then Laurie"
"Well?"
Her voice was curiously subdued
''DoNy. l am here at last. l have
punished myself all these years. which
have not meant much to YOU, for you
are as young and as fair as the
night
The night you said you should new
or cross our Threshold"
'DoSy." he cried, seiZing her hand
passionately. Il have suffered for it.
Be good to me-
why did you come tonight, JedP"
she asked quietly, but with beating
heart
'Why? Because everything brought
me. l couldn't keep away"
you camc.' she said, turning proud
ly away, because you knew that at
last you could come and still keen
your oath. because you knew the house
was gone"
NO" he said, with n long breath
You don't mean that. and you don't
think So
she 1clt his strong arms about her.
She was lifted and carried over the
smoking ashes and bricks to the place
where the doorstep had been He held
her closely with his left arm. while his
right hand GraSped Il blackened beam
IN moment he was standing on the
charrcd Threshold pressing her to him
! in tight embrace.
Here he said with forced light
ness. Il lay my pride at your feet
Now, DoIy. won't YOU say something's"
Never mind the ten years now Jed
They are gOnc-likc the house"
But we'll have Il new house. Doxy.
right here. and Sol shall put on and in
all those things you told him to leave
off,
Il say" cried the voice of Laurie
from Il distance, Uncle Seth lust
found ten dollar bill in the old die
tionary- He says he'll bet it's the one
he lost ten years ago"