The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-03-10

LOOKING FOR HOME
BY FRANK II. WILLIAMS,


to start up housekeeping when we get
married"
Amy's winsome face flushed and she
stamped her foot with annoyance.
Then she smiled charmingly. You're
simply impossible, Homer she cried.
How many times must l tell you that
I'm not going to marry your"
HUH"
Now. don't be silly. I'm not going
to marry you and so there's no use of
our going house hunting"
Well" sighed Homer, then let's go
house hunting to find the kind of
house we'd like to go to housekeeping
in if we were going to get married"
Amy burst into laughter again at
this. Who under the sun ever heard
of such wild propositions" she asked.
Whats the good of going house hunt
ing when we aren't going to get mar
ried and neither one of US wants a
house?"
Il want house all right enough"
asserted Homer, suddenly serious. 81
want house that will be a real home
and | want it mighty bad. I'm sick
and tired Of living in boarding house
and don't believe you're any too sat
isfied with your little hall bedroom,
either. I'd like to have you help me
pick out the kind of house we'd both
like-that would be sort of satisfac-
ton anyway. Come on, won't you?
know the very district and we can go
there in few minutes in my auto
mobile. It's fine day for ride, too. I"
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
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 good time at
his club?
I'll CO." 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. l believe I've found the
very house that We'll want 1t will be
a real home for u.s."
But" interjected Amy weakly.
Now don't start that" cried Homer.
We're 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 a little
coy, comfortable house that stood
some distance from the road among a
bower of trees and hedges that half
hid it from sight. Homer, in high
spirits, helped Amy to alight
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. Were just
married" said the man. I'VE live over
there behind that hill. Come over and
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 spot
was lovely and Amy felt herself deep
ly stirred as she looked about 1t
was all so homelike and comfortable
that she was strongly attracted toward
it. 1t would be a fine place in which
to begin married life with Homer-it
only she could be sure that Homer was
the right man.
AS they came nearer the house her
delight in it increased. 1t was a cozy
inviting little place. Though new, ii
already had the satisfied appearance
of an old settler. There was none OF
the rawness generally so evident about
a new house. Already she felt that
she was ins love with it,
why here's funny thing" said
Homer, pointing to little sign on the
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
out sheet of paper. Amy looked over
his shoulder as he read it. This is
what was written en the paper:
This is Little Lonesome House II
is lonesome for young couple tt
make their home in it, to brighten il
up and to bring the Joy of life to its
rooms. The owner of Little Lonesome
House is an eccentric bachelor who
will give the house to the first engaged
couple who opens its front door and
steps over its threshold. But If they
are not engaged they may not have the
house. For further particulars apply
to John Watkins, Third street"
Amy thrilled as she read this mes
sage and she thrilled still more as she
felt Homer's eyes on her.
Shall we enter and take posses
sion?" he questioned.
Amy hesitated. Love for Homer was
kindling in her heart She felt sure
that he must be the right man and yet
and yet
Let's go in and look around" she
suggested But not as an engaged
couple"
Homer took the key to the front
door from the mat in front of the door
and opened the door. They stepped in
The house was already furnished and
SO charmingly furnished that at the
first glance Amy fell in love with the
home 1t was ideal she felt. It was
the most enhancing spot in the world
in which to begin married life.
See here" said Homer to her soft
ly. IF you stand just here in the hall
way you can see long distance down
the road, SO you can watch for me here
at night. And I'll know you're watch
ing and if Pm tired it will give me new
strength and hasten my steps"
Amy sighed She was on the point
of accepting but she was not yet quite
sure that Homer was really the right
man-that he was really home loving
man.
All through the house Homer point
ed out the things that were designed
particularly to give woman pleasure
When they had completed their inspec
ton, Amy sighed.
It's simply adorable" she cried