The Washington herald., 1916-06-05

Sure" her husband rose with
alacrity "We've got about the best
and simplest thing in furnaces. Kept
the whole house warm last winter
with only ten tons"
why, that's very little" ventur-
ed Helen, who knew absolutely moth
ing about coal, but who was trying
to cover Warren's unresponsive
silence, as with evident reluctance
he laid down his cigar.
"Yes, the Pctersons lust below
here used over fifteen. And their
house Is much smaller-but it's poor
ly built That's one thing about
this house-it's exceptionally we'll
built"
The walls are so thick" con-
tributed Mrs. Barclay, "it's very
easy house to keep warm" Then
as she gathered up the porch
we'd better take these in"
Through the dining-room, out
through the pantry, and they made
their way down the steep, narrow
steps into the damp, musty-smell-
ing cellar.
"Oh, what a lovely large cellarl"
enthused Helen, almost before the
light was turned on.
This is only half of it," proudly.
"The storeroom and laundry are
over here"
While Mr.. Barclay demonstrated
to Warren the admirable points Of
the now cold and empty furnace,
Mrs. Barclay showed Helen the
storeroom.
You've no idea what it saves in
ice bills. We really don't need an
ice box at all. Most cellars are
damp and moldy-but this is always
so perfectly dry"
AS the darkcned streaks on the
cement wall were oozing dampness,
Helen refrained from commenting
on this statement.
Here's my jelly closet" drawing
curtain back from some rough
shelves on which were a few glasses
and jars. And here's where we
keep potatoes and other vegetables.
Last winter we had all these bins
full"
In a nervous effort to conceal
Warren's silent boredom, Helen ad-
mired everything in extravagant
terms. She was tired and sleepy,
and her feet ached from the heat
and new pair of pumps, but there
was no release until they had seen
every corner and convenience" of
the cellar
In the laundry, the patent wash
ing machine, the double wringer,
even the revolving clothes rack had
to be demonstrated and glowingly
commended.
A founce of Helen's thin gown
was snagged on a nail Of an empty
soap box, and there were several
smudges on the fresh whiteness Of
her buckskin pumps, yet her gush-
ing enthusiasm was undampcncd.
As Warren's unresponsiveness
grew more marked, the more pro-
fuse and superlative became her ad-
miring ordinations.
1t was after ten before they finally
escaped and made their way up to
the guest room, followed by Mrs.
Barclays assurance that they would
sleep we'll in this pure country
air"
"Why the Sam Hill did they drag
us through that CELLAR" exploded
Warren, as he peeled off his coat
and hung himself into a chair by
the window
at was tircsome." Helen, slip
ping, off the cramping pumps, got
her bedroom slippers from the suit
case. "And you wouldn't say
thing-I had to do it all"
Yes, YOU laid it on pretty thick"
Did I overdo iii" anxious1y.
"Oh, they swallowed it, all right"
We'll. they expected us to ad-
mire things. They built the house
themselves-1 suppose that's why
they're so proud Of it."
Huh, | wouldn't live out in this
God-forsa ken place if they'd give it
to me. See here, can't we raise this
internal thing" trying to shove up
breath Of air"
"Oh, don't put that upl The
room1l be full of mosouitoes "