The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1914-01-09
HOUSE
HUNTING
By u r. URNLEE

MacEllisctt returned from hts v4ca-
ton. and when he entered bis bachelor
homes single room. which was ell 10
needed-it seemed lonelier to him thar
ever In a country hotel with women
and children about him be had bad IN
advantage. Mono Of them belonged 10
him. but neither be nor they had any.
thing 70 do all day long. and he could
see as much Of them az he liked. But
now he was back again to tho same
desolation.
I've a. mind to take a house." be
said-'a small house, but a whole
house. FL bave yo,ni tn ask friends
to come and stay with mo. can walk
about in the rooms"
SO the next day he went houss
hunting. After visiting a number he
came upon a cozy place just about big
enough for him. But somehow HE en-
thjisiasm for housekeeping had been
replaced Ivy common sense. mo one
can make q home without a woman in
IT," he muttered TO himself. My
friends won't come to keep me COM
pany. and | wouldn't want them any.
way" While be spoke he pushed the
button at the front door. A moment
before it was opened a young woman
Of progressing appearance came up
the steps. An elderly woman appear
cd at the door. and MacElligott drew
back. The lady who had Just appeared
SAID:
II understand that this house 10 70
let furnished. Can ! sec TT"
Certainly"
Surprising the two haa come together
TO look ut the house. the keeper Of II
led the way into the living room. q
dainty little apartment. neatly furnish
Ell. and from there through the oor1s
on the first door. On reaching the see
ond floor she threw open the door o.
the best bedroom. remarking. Amy
couple who couldn't be happy in this
room couldn't be happy at all"
MacElligott and the lady both looked
very sober at this. for the keeper said
it as If having mistaken them for .
married couple. MacElligott looked ct
the ceiling. and the lady locked 1t the
1oor.
And here" continued tho speaker.
opening a door communicating with q
smaller room. is q convenient room
for q child. The crib over in that cor
ner will be left With the other furni.
ture."
Neither the gentleman nor the lady
showed the expected appreciation for
the child's or the crib. but the
conductor passed on to other chamber,
expatiating on what they were FOR and
how convenient they were. finally pass
ing down into the living again.
She was about TO make an effort to
rent the house when there was a ring
at the dOorbell. and she left them
while she answered It. Tho lady stood
looking down TO the door. 1t was very
stupid O: the keeper to go about taik-
ing To them AS IL they were married
when they had not even met before.
MacElligott thought It time to assure
the lady that If she wanted tho house
ne would not think Of standing in her
way. After an ahem he did 30.
Taking a house is only q passing
fancy Of mine" she replied. I'm
tired Of boarding and would like q
house. but | have no one to occupy II
with ME. and I doubt il I should i'm
prove my condition by housekeeping.
True. il would give NE occupation 10
take care Of it. but | should have TO
take in n wons AS a I'M for coIn.
pany. and I dislike having persons
about In whom | have nc interest. Be
sides. q wonan would he no protec.
ti1a."
II am in the same fx." replied Mac.
El,igott. I'm a bachelor. and II I
should take u house Il would soon he
10 loos after 1t. without constant
s%crubbing. brushing and putting things
to rights any house will run down"
: '-T7rat's very ,tde. But You could hire
a houSeseeper. some elderly person.
whose presence wouidn't-wouidn't ex.
cite comment"
HIN! | would prefer one whose
presence would excite comment"
At this the lady's eyes dropped again
to the floor.
How would ii DO for you to take
the house and rent q room to some old
man whose presence would not cause
comment? He would serve perhaps for
protection"
There was no reply 10 this. the lady
keeping her eyes on the door. but her
features said very plainly. Ia rather
have q man about my Own age"
Meanwhile the keeper was showing
another person through the house. and
MacElliGott. hearing them coming
downstairs. said:
May ! make bold to ask your cd.
dress? ! may he able to sng9eat q plan
for you. ! have q cousin wbo"-
The lie was not spoken. The keeper
was coming. The Indy hurriedly gave