The Washington herald., 1916-02-03
DAILY SHORT STORY.
White Acres.
BY EDwINA FAxoN.

II hope" shivered Kathleen, that the
corporation lawyer has a warmer coat
than mine. This blue serge -suit never
was any too warm, and since the nap
has worn of there isn't much left but
the name"
A sense OF humor did much to take the
edge of singing wind, but In spite
OF her bravery tears welled up in her
eyes. She had turned q corner and come
in sight of the old house, desolate and
deserted in the midst of a dreary late
November landscape, and the house
brought back recollections that were
hard to bear. How her life had changed
In the last year!
She looked around for some sign of
another arrival. car of some sort. or
footprints in the light snow, but there
was no sign of life about the place.
Kathleen turned key in the front door
and pushed 1t open. Tho furniture had
been removed and the carpetiess, cur
tainless rooms seemed like sepulchres of
good times that were gone.
Il believe I'll wait outside after ALL"
she faltered. HE ought to be here soon
and the house is unbearable. There! I
believe / hear a machine nowi"
A touring car stopped at tho gate and
man got out. Miss Lowell, believe"
he said, lifting his hat as he came near.
IL this were the corporation lawyer, he
was not only warmly but exceedingly
well dressed and good looking besides
But Kathleen steeled her heart.
'Yes!" she answered abruptly.
He came up on to the veranda beside
her. II am Horace Davidson. and /
represent the Burlington and Hartwell
Road. But I've no doubt you have
already guessed my identity. I'm sorry
IL kept you waiting. We had a blow
out. Deucedly cold. isn't it? Shall we
so inside?"
TT is colder in there. Besides, our
business is outside, / believe"
The wind was screaming so he had to
stand quite close to catch her words
'An uncommanly pretty girl by Jove,"
he said to himself. Not what 1 was
expecting quite. This is no meek little
milk-and-water country girl 1 have tc
deal with. Her wits promise to be as
good as her looks. What a color! And
what hair"'
A shrill whistle sounded in the distance,
and both turned quickly. A big inter-
urban trolley car appeared around the
curve of the road and sped on a raised
track across the open space below them.
Both were silent until 1t disappeared.
THE suit comes up next week. 1 be-
live." began Kathleen.
Unless you change your mind and
have IL withdrawn"
why should I?''
ITO begin with. 1 don't think you have
much chance"
lis there no justice in the world, then?
What are courts for %
Justice" he answered. No judge can
see why a strip of track should do any
damage to a farm"
Perhaps he can see II II II is explained
to him that, the road got its right of way
under false pretense. that the track cut
my fathers farm in two TO begin with,
and that the raising of it made it impos-
sible to pasture a herd of cows on one
side with the barn on the other. A cul-
vert would have cost us two thousand
dollars, and the company wouldn't pay
II. Further-when he saw in despair that
his big dairy farm was ruined-began to
have visions of a summer hotel and Pc
titioned the company for a station. But
that was refused, too. He was ruined
financially and in health He was too
old to stand the blow, and he died"
Horace Davidson was silent awhile
Then, why don't you sell the placer
II would IL could. No one will have
1t with that ugly raised track in the
wrong place"
He saw that she was shaking with
emotion and cold. Miss Lowell" he
said more kindly, after all 1t was fool
ish of me to ask you to meet me out
here. We can talk better in my Office in
town. What ! really want Is to get a
survey OF the land, and 1 sent for Daw-
son to meet me here. 1 think he may
have come on that last car. SO I'll go
over and meet him. There Is really no
need for your staying. and If you will