The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-14
'"*"*****~**********s**~
LOOKING FOR HOME
by FRANK n. WILLIAMS.

>, e. 80 mouse hunting" suggested
homer Rutledge
what for?" questioned Amy Rich
ards, in pretty amazement.
Sos Well have some place in which
70 start up housekeeping when we get
married."
Amy's winsome face flushed and she
stamped her foot with annoyance.
men she smiled charmingly. You're
simply impossible, Homer" she cried.
HOW many times must tell you that
m not going to marry you?"
HUH"
NOW, don't be silly. I'm not going
10 marry you and SO there's no use of
our going house hunting"
We'll" sighed Homer, then let's 20
mouse hunting to find the kind of
mouse we'd like to go to housekeeping
III II We were going to get married"
Amy burst into laughter again at
thlS. Who under the sun ever heard
OF such wild proposition?" she asked.
What's the good of going house hunt
Ing when we aren't going to get mar
rled and neither one of us wants a
house,"
want house all right enough"
asserted Homer, suddenly serious. Il
want house that will be real home
and want it mighty bad I'm sick
and tired of living in a boarding house
and don't believe you're any too sat.
ished with your little hall bedroom.
either. I'd like to have you help me
pick out the kind OF house we'd both
llke-that would be sort of satisfac-
tlon anyway. Come on, won't you?
know the very district and We can 60
there in few minutes in my auto
mobile. It's fine day for ride, too"
Amy looked at him for a moment
without speaking. All the laughter
was gone from her eyes She was
thinking deeply of what he had said
about being tired of boarding house
life She. too, was tired and yet was
Homer the man she wanted to marry?
Was he the kind of man to make a
home, or the kind that would care
nothing for his home after the first
few months-the kind that would leave
her alone in worst loneliness that she
ever experienced at the boarding
house. while he had a good time at
his club?
I'll 60 she assented finally.
Good, cried Homer.
1t was, as Homer had said, short
ride to the section of the city that he
had in mind.
Il saw the advertisement OF this Oak
Knoll addition" he explained. land
they were worded SO invitingly that !
simply had to come out and look at
the section. believe I've found the
very house that well want 1t will be
real home for u.s."
But" interjected Amy weakly.
Now don't start that" cried Homer.
Were pretending that we're engaged
to be married and we are now engaged
in the delightful occupation OF looking
for home"
So they drew up before q little
cozy, comfortable house that stood
some distance from the road among a
bower of trees and hedges that hall
hid 1t from sight Homer. in high
spirits, helped Amy to alight
A young couple passing on the side
walk, smiled appreciatively at Homer's
evident pleasure
Looking for a homer" questioned
the man pleasantly.
Yes" answered Homer
Engaged or married?" went on the
man
Engaged" Homer replied while
Amy felt her cheeks kindle
Again the couple smiled We're 1ust
married" said the man. I'VE live ovel
there behind that hill. Come over ant
see us when you get settled"
I'VE will" declared Homer fervent
ly.
The couple passed on while Homer
and Amy walked up the hedge-bor
dered path toward the house. The spo
was lovely and Amy felt herself deep
" stirred as she looked about. /
was all SO homelike and comfortable
that she was strongly attracted towart
II II would be a fine place in which
10 begin married life with Homer
only she could be sure that Homer wal
the right man.
As they came nearer the house hel
delight In It increased. 1t was cozy
inviting little place Though new. l
already had the satisfied appearance
NJ an old settler. There was zone o
the rawness generally SO evid abou
new house Already size I Z tina
she was in love with it.
"Why here's funny thing" sait
Homer, pointing to little sign on thu
door.
Amy looked The sign read:
LITTLE LONESOME HOUSE.
Beneath the sign was an arrow point
ing to a little box attached to the door
knob. Homer opened the box and drew
ont a sheet of paper. Amy looked ovel
his shoulder as he read it. This Il
what was written on the paper:
This Is Little Lonesome House. 1
ia lonesome for a young couple t
make their home in it. to brighten 4
nm and TO bring the Joy OF life to it'
rooms. The owner of Little Lonesome