The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-09-15
HONORS
AND DOLLARS
sy DOROTHY BIAckHoRE

sighed as she pushed open the heavy
rustic gate that had swung for more
than a hundred years before the old
homestead. Her eyes did not light up
as she wound her way mp the path
toward the house among the trees.
This" she said to herself. is my
lnheritance-this drAb colored. wealth
er-beaten farmhouse. It's as coloriess
as-as my life"
She walked across the Wide veran-
da and shook the heavy knocker.
Presently the upper half OF the quaint
white door swung open to disclose the
beaming face of the good Irish ma
iron who had been engaged TO care
for the place until its young mistress
could take possession.
Good morning, Miss Warrington,
come right in." the woman said, open
Ing the lower half of the door.
Virginia stepped within and the
sound Of the cracking logs In the big
fireplace in the hall dispelled the
shadows from her eyes-for a mo-
ment
It's good of you to have that IRE
to welcome me. Mrs. Mackin." the
girl said. The place looks dreary
without and I'm afraid was not very
cheerful at sight of It.
You'll soon be learnin' to love II.
my DEAR" the woman replied. con
fidently. Lay on your things and Be-
at home
"Home." echoed Virginia. but no
! one heard her. Mrs. Mackin had hur-
ried out to brew the hospitsblo cup
Of tea, her Irish panacea for all Ills.
| Yeti is my home" Virginia con-
tinued to soliloQuize. Il was born
here-my forefathers we're born here
| and they died here. l suppose II
! hadn't gone chasing honors II
would feel as II st were my rightful
home. A room and bath is more near
ly home to me now" she thought.
trifie bitterly-"a room and bath! A
fine home for Warrington with all
this to her name" Her eyes swept the
expanse of ceiling; they wandered to
the great rooms beyond. to the gor-
geous old-fsshioned crystal chande-
liers with their scores of prisms de-
pending.
Here's as fine cup of tea as
you've had. I'll warrant" announced
the CHEEKY voice of Mrs. Mackin,
breaking In on the girls reverie.
I'm quite sure it's better" vir-
ginia replied. taking the old blue cup
and saucer. And l have a faint re-
membrance OF this china, haven't I?'
she asked. inspecting the ancient pat.
tern.
Its certain you have. my dear, for
I it's n hundred years old II it's a day,
It's many a time my own mother
washed these teacups for your gran
ME-"
Il suppose there's history every,
where I turn" Virginia said. with q
half sigh. And how little I've done
for the family name. myself
, You've put II where II has never
been before" remarked Mrs. Mackin;
and Virginia couldn't tell whether
t there WAS pride or pity In her tone.
"On the billbosrds- admitted
4 Virginia.
your grandfather never went u
the city for fear he'd see II. I'm told.
the older woman said. not unkindly.
Perhaps II would be- well II no on,
ever had seen IT," the girl went on
} for then I never would haye-failed
N Mrs. Mackin. there was always some
d, thing lacking In my acting. | neye
, would have made n great actress an,
I wouldn't remain a mediocre one"
Its a funny notion that put tn
stage In your head at all. at all.
D. sighed Mrs. Msckin.
Perhaps" Virginia admitted
Sometimes notions opposed becom
Is strong desires. I had IA notion wa
opposed and-well. We all had MAJ
rington Wills. Mrs. Msckin."
i" Its that you hsd-and poor Nj
=, Borthwick-he-"
AZ Virginia rose hastily to 20, but Jus
| As she turned there was . knock q
i, the front door.
=, Mrs. Mackin hurried to answer.
"0h. yes. Miss Warrington has in
- arrived. III see II she can see 70
NC now" she was saying at the door
n Virginia heard heavy footsteps q
d. ter the old drawingroom Then Mr.
I'd Msckin returned to say that the 70,
re resentative Of the Aeroplane club Ia
y. come to see her about building q pylo
nd on the property to MARI out cours
All for the international aviation meet I
be held In the vicinity the followin
month.
Virginia. little Interested. went /,
meet the stranger.
oh. yes" she said. when she b
dismissed him. Il gave them permit
sion. Why not' II may relieve n
} moootony of farm life
IT'S a foolhardy business. I ca
II" replied Mrs. Mackin. as she d
parted to attend to her duties. ~Yc
, know better than ! do how To mal
l yourself feel at home. my dear, {
I III b after doing my work"
e Virginia packed up the brass -
S and put back q log that had tumble
forward. Then she sat down in n