The Adair County news., 1914-01-07
HOUSE

By LAURA R. TURNLEE

| ever In a country hotel with women
and children about him he had had an
advantage. None of them belonged tC
him. but neither he nor they had any
thing to do all day long, and he could
see as much of them as he liked But
now he was back again to the same
desolation.
give a mind to take a house." he
saba small house, but a whole
house. I'll have room to ask friends
to come and stay with me. I can walk
about in the rooms"
So the next day he went house
hunting. After visiting a number he
came upon cozy place just about big
enough for him. But somehow his en-
thusiasm for housekeeping had been
replaced by common sense. NO one
can make a home without a woman in
It." he muttered to himself. "My
friends won't come to keep me com
pany, and l wouldn't want them any
way" While he spoke be pushed the
button at the front door, A moment
before it was opened a young woman
Of prepossessing appearance came up
the steps An elderly woman appear
ed at the door, and MacElligott drew
back. The lady who had just appeared
said:
81 understand that this house is to
let furnished. Can / see it?''
Certainly"
Surprising the two had come together
| to look at the house, the keeper Of it
led the way into the living room,
! dainty little apartment, neatly furnish
ed, and from there through the rooms
on the first floor. On reaching the sec,
ond floor she threw open the door of
the best bedroom, remarking, ANY
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 at
the ceiling. and the lady looked at the
floor.
"And here" continued the speaker.
| opening a door communicating with a
| smaller room, lis convenient room
for a 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 room or the crib, but the
| conductor passed on to other chambers,
| expatiating on what they were for and
| how convenient they were, finally pass
ing down into the living room again.
She was about to make an effort to
rent the house when there was a ring
at the doorbeIl. and she left them
while she answered it. The lady stood
looking down to the floor. 1t was very
stupid Of the keeper to go about talk
ing to them as II they we're married
when they had not even met before.
MacElligott thought it time to assure
/ the lady that If she wanted the house
he would not think of standing in her
way. After an ahem he did so.
= Taking a house is only a passing
fancy of mine," she replied I'm
tired of boarding and would like a
house, but l have no one to occupy 1t
with me, and I doubt if l should i'm
prove my condition by housekeeping.
True, it would give me occupation to
take care of it, but l should have to
! take in a woman as a roomer for COM
pany, and | dislike having persons
about in whom 1 have no interest. Be
sides. a woman would be no protec-
ton"
IT am in the same fix" replied Mac
Elligott I'm a bachelor. and if |
should take a house it would soon be
q sorry looking place, with no woman
to look after it. Without constant
scrubbing. brushing and putting things
to rights any house will run down"
That's very true, but you could hire
a housekeeper. some elderly person,
whose presence wouldn't-wouldn'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 it do for you to take
the house and rent room to some old
man, whose presence would not cause
comment? He would serve perhaps fer
protection"
There was no reply to this, the lady
keeping her eyes on the floor, but her
features said very plainly. I'D rather
have a man about my own age"
Meanwhile the keeper was showing
another person through the house, and
MacElligott. hearing them coming
downstairs, said:
MAY I make bold to ask your ad
dress? I may be able to suggest plan
for you. have a cousin who
The lie was not spoken. The keeper
was coming The lady hurriedly gave
her address in a low tone and passed
out. MacElligott waited till the third
party had gone. then made bargain
for the house.
when would you like possession?
asked the woman.
81 don't know"
81 take It your wife is much pleased
with the house."
Every much pleased"