The Lamar register., 1912-10-09
he HouseThat
Jim Built
By Nellie cravsy Gilmore

Francesca laid down the paper with
quick flush of color. Then she
picked 1t up again and reread the ad-
vertisement breathlessly.
FOR RENT-One up-to-date cottage.
i've rooms and bath. Can be leased
to right party. Situated corner Ninth
avenue and Maple street. Apply next
door,
Their house! The girls eyes illed
suddenly with burning tears. After
three years he had at last consented
then to let the place to a stranger
anyone who might prove respectable
enough to be the right party" Had
he forgotten ceased to caref There
was only one answer or he would
never have been willing to take this
step. 1t couldn't be lack Of money.
she knew that: the truth came to her
like a knife-thrust; he was done with
the past forever.
How many times had she passed
and rspassed the little green house
into which had been wrought all their
hopes. and thanked heaven from the
bottom Of her heart that It was still
vacant, still sacred to him. Every
shingle and rafter stood for q heart
throb: every tree and flower had been
planted with loving hands. And now?
II was all Francesca could do to keep
her self.control. Visions surged into
her brain-visions of the old. dear
days. James Langdon's face was the
center Of them all. 30 distinct was 1t.
she almost felt that she could have
put out her hand and touched It. She
strangled q little sob and dashed
away tho tears. What . fool she was
to b going to pieces like this on 40
count Of Q man who had found 1t 20
easy to forgsti Gradually . change
came over her feelings. In place Of
the old wearying achs. . hot rebellion
famed into her heart She rose. tossed
aside the paper she had been reading
and crossed the room to her mirror
Her eyes. sparkling dsnantly. looked
back At her with . new purpose In
their gold-brown depths. She. too.
would-forSst!
Robert Thaysr's letter still lay un-
answered In her desk. 6he reopened
II with fingers unsteady from excite
msnt The lines danced before hsf
eyes for an instant: then her casa
stsadisd and she read:
"Dear: Nay I come 70 you to-mor-
row nightf There u something ]
want to tell you. to ak you. I won't
b patient any longer. Say that you
Win - expecting me at eight.
bob
Tfsnossoa seated hSssslf unhesitaf
fngiy at the desk and scratched
hasty reply.
Dear Bob Come By all means. I'm
always glad to see you: you know
that. I shall be looking for you at the
appointed hour.
Cordially.
FRANCESCA"
She had Just sealed the note whom
her brother entered the room. little
flushed. an expression Of anxiety on
his face. Yielding to . sudden I'm
pulse, she thrust the envelop quickly
into . drawer and locked 1t.
Bad news. Kid" he said. dropping
into . chair.
Tho girl turned with a startled
glance. an unspoken question on her
lips. Young Graham anticipated her
and said abruptly:
loot to move out In . week. Own
srs have sold the plaoe-which signi-
fes move on for U.S."
Francesca sat and stared at him
blankly. A terrible feeling Of home
sickness swept over her. We've been
here 20 longi" she said wistfully.
That's It. knew you'd feel al
out up about 1t. Just a. I do. But
there's no help for It. grille. Wen
have to be looking around at once"
aWhsrs will We lookf" she ques-
toned hslplsssly.
Get the papers-that's all. And In
the meantime I shall have to make
run down to Washington for four or
tve days. That leaves the job to
you. I'm sorry. but it's unavoidable"
But the girl scarcely heard his last
words. A sudden. wild thought had
darted into her brain: her blood was
racing riotously through her veins. 1t
csntered all at once In two crimson
spots in her cheeks.
Don't bother. Jack" she said. qui-
.t,v IT shan't have any trouble. Leave
n All to me. IL think already know
. Mace We can get" She was devout-
" thankful that her brother had been
~, At college during her betrothal
- tba huildin9 of the house. He