The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-12
EVENING STORY
The Little House.
(By Susan e. Clagett.)

drawing Caroline YateS away IToIu
them without attracting their atten-
ton. From where the two stood they
could see across the lawn to the pri-
vate road winding thru the orchard
and she heard the humming of car
at the outer gate
.I told Henry to leave the car
there he said in explanation. I
want you to take a drive with me.
have bought a piece of property not
so very far away and we will have
plenty of time to run out there be-
fore tea. l want you to see the
place"
Caroline glanced toward the group.
They were her guests and for mo-
ment she hesitated. Then she ran
down the steps.
81 ought not she said in reply.
They will soon miss me, but l will
go if you will not keep me long"
About an hour. We will have to
hurry, however. Keep out of sight be-
hind the trees or some of them will
see US and insist upon going, and I
want no one but you this evening"
He lost no time in getting under
way, and after a little turned into a
lane lined with honeysuckle and filled
with the perfume of poisoning grape
vines, for it was spring, and spring in
Maryland is a delight.
too soon, Caroline thought when they
drew up before a quaint little cottage
with roses running over the doorway.
Straight borders filled with old-fash-
toned flowers some in bloom, others
giving q promise, ran from the house
entrance to the gate. The small lawn
was weed grown, but two magnificent
elms at one side made Caroline for
get the evident neglect of the place
and exclaim in wonder at their APP
pearance.
Those trees decided me to buy the
place." David said Cant you i'm
agine chairs and a tea table under
those branches? l pictured such
scene the first time came here. How
land had told NE to dispose of it.
You know he is going west and he has
not lived here since the death Of his
wife. 1t was a dear, honey place
during her life. He was much pleased
when 1 told him l would take it and
| said he hoped 1 would be as happy
as he had been during the short time
| of his occupancy"
you are going to live here alone %
| Alone? No. I am like the rest of
my kind, Caroline want, need, COM
panionsEip. You have refused to give
it TO me ard I have decided to follow
your oft-repeated advice and marry.
| We have been friends for SO long 1 am
! going to trespass upon that friendship
and ask your help in remodeling and
| furnishing the place. 1 am not rich,
and expenses will n necessarily have to
judgment will make it into a home
that will please the most fastidious.
Will you help me do this 2"
"Of course she answered readily.
But you have not told me the name
| of your swe etheaTt, David. Do 1 know
her? You must tell me about her
likes and dislikes, for what might
please me may not suit her. Tell me
everything about her-the color of
| her hair and eyes, her little manner
isms- l want to visualize, realize her
personality
He looked at her critically. 81 am
not good at descriptions" he replied,
but 1 should say in general way
she resembled you-the same color
ing, and about your height. AS for
her personality-there 1 must pause
No lover can adequately describe the
woman ne cares for. She is perfec-
| ton in his sight, and this little girl of
mine-Well, she has so twined herself
about every fibre of my being that
the mere thought of her makes my
| pulses throb." He laughed a little UNI
steadily as he turned his eyes from
her face. Il think, Caroline, you will
realize from that 1 am unable to give
you a clear idea of her. His voice
changed. Nevertheless, help me-
know well that what pleases you will
be the thing she will care for
Caroline shook her head. ct will do
my best, David, but would have liked
| a better description of her. This, how
| ever, you must promise ne-neyer let
her know my part in this home build
ing"
He looked at her questioningIy.
3sWhy not 2" he asked.
She would not like it, Caroline re-
piled soberly. Il would not and I
judge her by myself"
Come he said shortly, eff we are
to be back in time for tea we must
start st once
For weeks the two went backward
and forward to the tiny cottage.
Sometimes, when David could get a
day from l is business, they made a
picnic OF the trip, taking Caroline's
sister and her two children with them
At other times they went alone. But
always David was reticent about the
girl he was to marry and Caroline had
to construct a picture of her person
atty. She gave up trying to visualize
her at last and followed her own
wishes as to furnishings and inside ar
rangements.
She had persuaded David to take
out partitions on the lower floor and
throw two small rooms and the hall
into one. The effect was delightful
as one came thru the outer door. for
the room was entered directly from a
low porch. 1t was this room Caroline
had spent most thought, for it would
be the center around which would
move the lives of her two friends
Friends. She always caught her
breath when she thought of the girl
who would soon be mistress of This
home. What was she like? Would
she love the place?
Right here Caroline would sion
short with Tightening of the throat
hard to explain She had put so much
of herself into the house that the
thought of another woman moving
about the quaintly-furnished rooms
became unbearable pain. She took
herself roundly to task for such a con-
dition of mind Why should she So
, feel when she had told him innuner-
able times she would not marry him.
|. but she was at last obliged to confess