The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-23
PRICE or vIRorNiAN.
The House That Jack Built
By GERALD PRIME j

o sne kne" practically nothing of the pertx Of r.
way uaveiins-Janet raised the window and took ~
observation ~ 'ooA al
There was station or even a s,dinr nv u....
$3.50 90 s'shI Janet withdrew her decidedly attrac
tive mead IN time see that mos, of ~. go.
were leaving the car, bent on snvestra ,tor
n'o the cause of stoppage The young man ,vno
peeh sitting across the aisle since the train leY,
iie 'unetion was not among them He stilI sat mo-
'ohiess. what he was actually dong was amu.,nS
himself over the evident nystincation of hi. 60,
neighbor. - 's AaiF
fier curiosity was more insistent than her d,.sn
,sy VI ms conduct 80 she asked him. in a tone
s aiss was meant 10 expressive OF " nrofonns q,
alHerence to his opinion on any subiset otba I'm m
s ,h business IN hand DO happen to know what
.i I'm sorry to say don't" he returned ver, ~
who went ia ma.ng patiently unti OF those
c.r ' 70 make the usual inquiries return to the
n s It's quite possible may have come in contacs
II were man- s5a began began mp.tsn,,v -,
sp before she had finished tn. statement shs
remit me TO congratulate you on your escane.
ne said with really effective BOW but with M
he referred A'' io tune 70 "nieh
=, neiieSe IN GO anyway" she said, conscious that
Ill ~ you VIII permit me-" he said. rising quickly and
His manner w lro s tns rask ! WIN so with you
II should be that she could not run the risk OF an
pearlng prudish by declining Besides there really
was no why he should not go with her an .h;
sour o. investigation 1t was broad daylight there
We're numerous other persons in the company and she
though she were travelling alone.
she nodded good -natured acquiescence and they
leIt me car together AS soon they reached the
ground they were told by returning investigator
ma. ~ was case or derailment that a brake
man had been sent to the nearest telegraph station n
summon wrecking OUTFIT the city "
i wonder how long II will be- Janet's frat in.
spiration. ~ 'A
10 explain H." he said. but wondering the
came thing Then they both laughed a little and he
The only thing about which the conductor Nh,
POSITIVE was mat II couldn't be less than three
himself TO any opinion more definite 1t was his
air OF Indebtedness that made Janet a tribe un-
Il shouldn't Hike to get into the city after dark
she e,s sa ,na., Il have never been there
reassuringly IF you were on the rop OF the hilI
yonder you would have an excellen, view OF IL" '''"
Then / believe / viii go up and get it.. She said.
! viii II you will promise not go and leave
mo fear Of that miss. he said. this time quiz.
positively Some OF the other passengers already
warning with the whistle
And If win permit me-" SAID her companion.
Il VIII be your guide and point out of the in
terestng features they into view IT la my
home. and I'm familiar with every part of IT,"
1t was courteous ofYer Janet was keen enough
despite her lack Of years and experience recognise
Its honesty. Her firm resolution risk no chance
acquaintance lost all its purpose in the presence
such transparent sincerity.
It's very kind of you" she said with smile
which implied acceptance OF his ofYer to accompany
her but should think it wouldn't be much OF .
1T s-under the present conditions" he laughed.
Besides it is really worth while The city Is at
They started off together. 1t a tiresoms
circuitous to avoid steep climbing. IL was shaded
deeply almost the entire distance when the sum
init was reached Janet felt fatigue whatever Along
the way her companion had made most of the
versation, preparing her, with wealth Interest,"
ing detail. her first glimpse of the city beyond
1t came suddeniy-~-a spacious panorama low-lying
fields and groves and water and beyond the glitter
ing outline of granite and marble ioomed sky
ward
Isn't it glorious" he asked but Janet under the
firm domination the spell. made no attempt to an
swer him. Hat in hand her cheeks flushed with
exercise and the excitement of the situation. her
hair put INTO charming confusion by the hilltop
breeze with eyes for nothing but the strange
Its beautiful she said. finally but do you know.
feel afraid of it," fancied that she shivered
he said sober f' aa sre to k ssrs
They seated themselves the OF huge
ing features of the view. Then almost before she
knew it. and influenced by she hardly knew what,
how she was Janet Marion only child OF country
doctor who was dead how she had made her home
with distant relative, attended academy in her
home town and finally. had weary OF the
@ 10 h Of , the M and had made up her mind 70
trained nurse. She even admitted that she
from ali anxiety in money matters that her father
had provided for her generously. and that she had
evolved the scheme of becoming a nurse escape
from the humdrum of her life.
Il ought to be ashamed OF myself he said. when
she had finished. Then he took a card from his
pocket and handed it to her. 1t bore legend:
John Ware Architect"
she laughed You have built of it."
Hardy enough to account for for my preference"
he admitted, frankly.
Can we see anythng-any building you have de-
signed--from heres" she asked, ingeniously.
No he said with sigh that might have been
pathetic had IT not been for the merry twinkle In
his eyes II have never experienced the felicity OF
creating skyscraper cathedral My genius
has been wasted thus far suburban built
to catch the eye OF the prospective buyer who wants
something startling In architecture-and usually gets
IL. What will say when tell you that have
only built one structure that proud of? II il
my own little house, and nobody likes its
designer. 1t is different from the others that II
goes by the name Of the House that Jack Built I'm
Jack. you know
The two sat the hilltop talking until the engi-
sounded the return to the train The
estimate OF the time necessary to get In motion again
was wide of the mark; in rather less hours
they were at the Union Station, and Ware and Janet
saying good night
Il should like to see the House that Jack Built
she laughted they separated.
Should you. really" he asked. glad light in his
She nodded. And in time her wish was gratihed.
Nor han at ha ha.,aI ME fs rriat