The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1911-01-28
House
To Let
Ii Changed the Life Of a Clubman.
A Spinster Was Also In
terested In Ii
By r. a. Mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
\ citation. 1911

difference between n house with wo-
impish children. and his own solitary
apartments was appalling In his own
bedroom he would awaken In the
morning amid tombllke silence. In
this abode OF family he lay awake
for nearly an hour listening 10 unceas-
ing sounds that seemed like music TO
him.
There were a constant opening and
shutting OF doors. water pouring In
a bathroom. children running. children
shouting. children scolded. children
petted; now n few deep tones from a
t3kther warning Johnny that II he
fhdn't stop fooling and dress himself
he would get a spanking and now
feminine call TO Edie 10 come and
LET me do your hair" 1t was the con-
trast OF this life about him-this union
of hearts and interests-with his silent
chamber that made him ycarn for
the one and hate the other.
Jenkins returned To the city, spent
the day In his office, went 10 his room
-heaving n sigh as he entered it
dressed for the evening and started for
his club. Shortly before reaching IL
he passed a neat looking two story
stone front dwelling In window OF
which was placard ''To Let" He
stood leaning on his cane looking AT
the house; then went on muttering:
IT'S no use. I've no wife"
He went on TO his club. sat down In
the reading room and listlessly took up
paper. But ne did not read. He
was going over the women OF his nc
quaintance I'm n vain effort TO pick out
one he could love. one with whom he
could make n home. This. too, was
failure. They all seemed TO him like
80 many wax figures In show win
dow No responsive chord 60 draw
him to any OF them or them to him.
The next morning passing the house
ito let he thought that, after all, 1t
would be better than his rooms and he
would 20 I'm and look at IL. At the
moment feminine voice said TO him:
There doesn't appear to be any word
II the notice where to apply"
Jenkins turned and saw young wo-
nan whose appearance was rs refined
Is her voice. Her attention was all di-
rected TO the house. and Jenkins be-
eved that she had made the observa-
ton TO herself rather than to him.
Nevertheless be raised his hat and
said:
perhaps. there being no such direc-
tons. IL means that one may inquire
within"
1T doesn't matter" said the lady,
still making her replies more TO herself
than him.
The words were spoken in the same
tone with which the day before he had
said to himself. Its no use. I've no
Wife"
"rll ring II you like" said Jenkins.
"Oh. thank you Never mind on my
account"
I'm intending TO make inquiries for
myself, though have no definite idea
Of tnking house. don't need one"
"Nor l."
He went up on 10 the stoop and rang
the bell. His summons was answered
BY middle aged person who lived In
the basement. evidently caretaker.
The lady waited for jenkins 90 act as
spokesman. but he hesitated He did
not know whether 20 say this lady
wishes to look az the house" or Il
wish 10 look az the house" The first
would be assuming what he had not
been authorized TO assume; the second
would look as II he proposed TO stand
II an1
n 1--WE would like 10 look at the house,
IL, said.
v"Ohl Walk in!'
v"There are eight rooms. said the
caretaker, leading the way through the
apartments. ION this floor parior.
dining room. library and kitchen"
Then. leading them upstairs: -Four
bedrooms up here. This front room
will make beautiful room for you
and your wife. sir. and this little room
adjoining Is just big enough for the
children. II you have them There's
another small room back that would
make n good nursery and n guests
room The bathroom Is at tho end OF
the hail.
II the poor woman had been cog
infant OF the terrible blunder sho was
| <rSakingvShe would have been deeply
4 yined. And yet she would have had
y cause 10 be paincd Though Jen-
zput on wooden expression, there
"A very pleasant feeling about bis
Lcnrt. Though the lady biushcd a
Y rosy red. there was n suspicion OF a
smile playing on her lips.
sHow many children have you
ma'amY' asked the woman. suddenly
breaking in upon her description OF
the house.
"No children replied the lady. ig
noring the woman's inference that the
two were married.
"No chIldrenl oh. dearl Somehow
n doesn't seem 20 me that people are