The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-02
The Eueni11g Story
Two-and . Cottage.
(By Harmony Weller.)

Gladys sank down rather happily
into a seat In the suburban train. It
was early spring and the Odor OF fruit
blossoms was in the air.
In thought she could picture the
small house set in an orchard of pink
and white blossoms that she was on
her way to inspect. The advertise
ment in the paper had attracted her,
and Gladys had gone Immediately to
the real estate agent. The key to the
cottage now reposed in her handbag
and she hoped the property would
prove as attractive as the advertise
ment. She was more than weary
searching for a home for her married
sister and Gladys hoped this one on
Long Island would prove satisfactory.
She had been on the train full
fifteen minutes before she made the
delightful discovery that an attract
overlooking young man was sitting In
the seat ahead of her. He seemed,
however, to be a triffe bored or dis
gruntled at the trip he was taking
into the suburb.
The remainder of the journey was
enjoyable to Gladys because of the
proximity of the decidedly red head
and interesting profile of the man
ahead. She decided she would like
him because she always had fancied
men with gray eyes and red hair.
Gladys changed her mind very sud
denly when, upon nc airing her desti-
nation, she saw the young man take
a small slip of paper from his pocket
and read it over as If to ascertain an
address. Gladys gasped. then a slow
smile curved the corners of her
mouth. The man was on the same
mission as herself and was on MS
way to look at the advertised house.
Undoubtedly a twin key to the one
in her handbag reposed in his pocket.
Dol Cl-.dr he
'he is not going to get that house first
| if 1 can help it" She smiled at the
oddity of the situation and arose; tire
t. ain was pulling into the station.
The young man arose also and
Gladys saw that his full face held ali
the fascination suggested by his pr''-
file. She heaved a sigh. because Of the
HIM.
Upon alighting from the train, Gladys
went quickly for the dilapidated coach
that stood waiting for fares. She told
the driver to take her to Orchard cot
ts &c, on the NARROW road. AS she shut
the door of the coach she cast a glance
at the fellow house-hunter and saw
him jump into cab. Along the road
toward the cottage her coach was in
the lead. At the gate 1t was she who
alighted first, and, with hasty word
to the driver to wait for her. she ran
dlOuR the pain dHQ lHScEtcQ HcI Key III
the lock. She scarcely took time to
breathe in the wonderful odor Of fruit
blossoms, so eager was she to get first
into the cottage. She knew without
going inside that she had at last found
| the place her sister wanted, and Gladys
was determined not to let that red
haired man get it. She glanced out OF
the window, and as she did so hel
heart gave a bound. He was even then
putting his key in the lock. The situa-
ton was certainly humorous. Gladys
tried to assume Indifference to the
young man, who entered the house
and to stifle the mad desire to laugh
aloud as they met from time to time
In the various rooms. There was 9
flicker Of amusement in his gray eye.
and a determination to get the house
for his married brother. If the very
pretty girl did not get it first. Ever
though the girl was wonderfully charm
ling, he saw no reason why he Shout.
be courteous to the extent of letting
her have this lovely cottage when it 81
adequately suited his brothers needs
With this thought in view he hurrie,
through the rooms. cast glance at tn
lovely orchard-garden and returned +
his cab. AS he disappeared Gladly
watched him and smiled. She knew
that he could not get train to tow
bbefore the one she would catch. nor di