New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-07-19

" S't eai
deer ou Ir- 4
redsyo.r ada and would loke to by a
good howae lat mo no moar abowt It yoofs
tTulay J.. dement,.
She hnr14edly indited private note.
arranging an interview.
Twenty-four hours later old Joe De-
ment, battered fedora in hand, stared,
open mouthed, at the beauties Of Mag
ma Villa.
"Atnt that scrumptious" He stood
tn noisy worship before the white mar
BILE fireplace. my, but wouldn't that
tickle my boy Joe! Joe was always
the lad for putting on STYLE"
His tone dropped to a confidential
whisper.
you know, miss, I'm buying place
for my son. He's a-coming to live with
me some day, he and my daughter'n-
law. It amt no matter Of money. I
kin buy any place in Carisford
II seen your ad.," he went on, ''and
I thought as I'd jest look at this place
along Of some others as heard on, and
maybe I'd find something to suit. And
how much would you be asking for
it?" he questioned when the inspec-
ton was finished
"Forty five hundred" she answered
determinedly.
A long sigh escaped old Joe.
"And won't take a cent less," added
the girl positively.
Dement, shook his head mournfully.
1T sure is some price," he muttered
"Well, I'll think it over and see you
see you tomorrow maybe"
AS soon as she was rid Of him Ethel
Grafton, full Of expectancy, hurried to
box 172.
She found the mail receptacle empty
and came home utterly crushed
''Why, what's the matter, young
sterT' demanded Tom Ringing that
evening the instant his eyes fell upon
her. aren't sick, are you?"
"N-no." ...- ......
"Then you're worrying about some
thing" His tone was decisive. "What
is it,"
"N-nothing"
"Oh, come now!"
Ethel rocked in silence. The young
man sat musing.
''Do you know" he exclaimed sud-
denly, 1--WE been thinking it over, ct,
and l-wen, I've decided to buy that
cottage"
She collapsed into her chair, a hud-
died, sobbing heap.
Tom bent over her tenderly.
What is it, dear7" he questioned, his
tone anxious.
Once more she rocked nervously, but
made no response. There was q long
silence.
Suddenly question tore her sorrow-
full thoughts asunder.
"Was that you saw coming out of
the Warkworth place this afternoon?''
In silence she sat, shiveringly await
ing the Inevitable.
'sWas it you, dear?" His tone was
gentle.
She gszed up at him in fearful ap-
peal.
Yves" she FILTERED. And then. in
a sudden gust of despair, please don't
ask me anything more about it, Tom y
IF It hurts you, dear, I WON'T" he
returned.
His voice was soothing; and, rising,
he gently strOked her brown hair.
"But, really, Et-honest-I don't
want that big house-not now"
He stood moment in meditative
silence. Suddenly his hand stopped its
gentle stroking.
Intuiuvely, she knew that he had
grown suddenly rigid She glanced
tremblingly up. His eyes were oddly
| agleam.
I'LL call tomorrow evening"" he told
her, ~and perhaps I'll bring company.
You won't mind it, will you, dearY'
| "Why, DO, Tom. But who is it?'
Tom Ringing gazed calmly at her.
'sThat's a secret"
ing awaited his coming. He was I'M
usually late.
After a long, hong time she heard
steps upon the walk and the tramp of
feet on the veranda-
Rising quickly, she snatched the door
open even as the bell Jared forth its
summons.
'SGood evening, Miss Grafton muir
! INJURED an unctuous voice.
Ethel, shfvering, drew away.
"Good evening, Mr.. Sharpley," she
returned coldly.
MAY we come 1n?" Tom Ringing
spoke cheerily from the shadow back
| ground.
She mechanically ushered them into
the cozy parlur.
1T took me all day. to find out what
was troubling you, youngster," declar-
| ed Tom Ringing without preface as
soon as all were comfortably seated.
1T was case Of too much fine house:
also too much SharDlev"