South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-19

Cant you see it's hanging out
there?"
They were going up a hill now and
the sound Of the horses feet and the
creakiag Il the hack were 10 Helen
sounds Of the country.
There mad been a heavy rain the
night before which had badly washed
out the roads. but left everything
fresh and bright. And the air was
filled with the pungent smell of earth
that comes after spring RAIN.
The Ba'dwins were out on the porch
to greet them. Hardly had Helen
stepped into the yard when shaggy
brown dog came leaping about her.
Down Max. Down. Oh, I'm afraid
he's gotten you all muddy" apologized
Mrs. Baldwin, as they made their way
into the house. But Helen who loved
dogs was patting the glossy head as
he kept beside her.
IL was a rOOmy, rambling country
house. A real old-fashioned home
that had not been spoiled by modern
renOvatiOrs or modern furnishings.
Dinner was served at once-a real
country dinner sunday MONDAY din
ner Not since Helen had been out
home had she had such delicious
home made preserves. pickles and
branded peaches. After dinner Mrs,
Baldwin took her down to the cellar
and showed her all the fruit she put
UP last summer. II was packed close
" on long shelves. and the glass jars
were neatly labelled.
1T makes me almost enviOus." sigh
ed Helen, I've always wanted TO
live in the country"
why don't you try it this summer ~
urged Mrs. Baldwin. You know you
can rent that cottage on the Melvin
place just below here. We should
| love 10 have you for neighbors. John
has spoken about 1t several times to
Mr.. Curtis"
Yes, ] know, but I'm afraid it
would be too hard on Warren TO go in
and out every day"
But John is much more delicate
| than Mr.. Curtis and he's gone back
and forth Cor five years. We came out
fer the children's sake. I'm going to
tell Mr.. Curtis" laughingly, that he's
very selfish if his only objection TO the
country is that he doesn't want to
commute"
Helen flushed slightly. for in spite
Of Mrs BaldWin's laughing tone there
was something in her voice that made
Helen feel she was partly in earnest.
and that she did think Warren selfish.
And for a moment Helen could not
help but wonder if she was not right.
She knew what the fresh country air
would mean 10 her and Winifred. And
Winifred had not been at all we'll this
winter.
on the way home she said eagerly.
Warren. l do like the Baldwins so
much-and haven't they the loveliest
home? Dear. do you think we could
take that cottage for the summer? 1t
would be so good for Winifred. Do
you think we could afford 1.-THE NOV
ing and all?"
Gould afford it all right-wouldn't
cost much. But having TO get up
every mOruing to catch that $3.50 train
isn't what it's cracked up to be. But
We'll see. Maybe we can find some
place nearer town"
"Ob. Warren. do you think we
could ?" joyfully. "A place big enough
for a garden?"
NO, don't go so fast, You want
! everything settled in a minute. /
said we'd see. Here-do you want to
put on your coat? We're getting in
| now"
And Helen, fearing TO urge il fur
| Their. said no more. But as the ele-
Nated whirled them through the noisy,
dusty streets of the city, her mind was
filled with visions of a little country
garden with a fresh smell of earth
and of growing things.