Gilpin observer., 1911-12-28
The House That Jim Built
By NELLIE CRAVEY GILMORE

Drim little parlor. but she kept her
poise admirably. What If she should
be turned away!
The owner OF the place is in Eu-
rope, believer" she asked.
Yes Jim's about made up his
mind to live in Paris for good. | ex-
pect. He's my nephew, you know. My
sister and I came up last spring from
Philadelphia to live and he asked us
to take charge of the house over
there
After half an hours interview, sat
isfactory arrangements were conclud-
ed and with the key tightly clasped
in her cold fingers. francesca found
herself for the first time in three long
years walking tremulously up the
, flower bordered path that led to the
low veranda.? Her breath came in
little jerks and the blood pounded in
her temples. She applied the key
to the lock almost In a dream and
pushed open the door.
At sight of the familiar objects
within sudden sense of suffocatiou
came upon her. 1t passed in a mo-
she came to mechanically. The air
was fresh and clean. and not sign
Of dust was In evidence. The spinster
| aunts had attended to that, and the
| girl sank into a chair with a sigh of
relief. She had fully expected to find
the place musty and damp and had
been mentally bracing herself to meet
the emergency.
She must have sat there at least a
quarter of an hour, her dry eyes trav-
cling from one well-remembered OBJ
| ject to another Her emotion made
her physically weak, and the only
thing she could do was to sit and bat
| tie for self-mastery. There was no
need to explore further into the
house; every nook and corner was
printed on her memory. clock strik-
| ing three reused her. She rose by an
effort and crossed to one of the win
dows and looked out at the blooming
flowers below. How well she re-
called the day they had made the
flower bed together.
But my dear james. how absurd!
The place was going to rack and ruin
for want of tenant. We imagined
you'd be highly pleased"
Francesca caught at the sill for sup
port Every atom of color fed from
her face.
Il appreciate your interest. OF
course. Aunt Sophie. But for reasons
best known to myself, prefer to keep
the house vacant. | should have told
you, suppose But somehow. in the
rush of things. omitted to do So Bu
as long as the people haven't moved
in there'l be no trouble about it."
Francesca turned as the man ap
preached the room alone. IT frs,
impulse had been to fly. to hfde-to
seek refuge in any way she could. But
all avenue of escape was cut off. and
the only alternative was to stay where
she was. and hurriedly draw down the
thick veil she wore.
Il beg your pardon" Langdon be
gan. apologetically. but it was all a
mistake about this house being for
rent. The fact is. I've just come home
from Europe Unexpectedly and shall
want to occupy 1t for myself"
Francesca nodded.
I'm awfully sorry you've been pu,
to this trouble. but you see
I'm sure you needn't apologize.
she interposed quickly. in low tone
"I-perfectly understand"
Langdon smiled gratefully. "Thani
you very much" he said.
Francesca moved across the fool
toward the doorway. To reach 1t she
was compelled to pass close to Lang
don. He was watching her narrowly
Suddenly he caught his breath. turned
pale. then red-then pale again. Wher
she would have passed through ths
opening he barred her way.
francesca" he cried. breathlessly
May I-pass?" she faltered. weakly
No; you may not" He deliberate
ly lifted the veil from her face ant
looked long and deep into the misty
gold eyes Satisfied. he gave
little soft laugh. and drew her al
most roughly into his arms.
We've been precious pair OF mum
skulls. haven't we?" he demanded.
I-I-thlnk we have. dear"
But we've learned wisdom through
experience. eh?"
"I-hope so. Jim"
His lips touched her hair. His armi
frightened. And it's not too late Il
go down and look at that Chippen
dale?'