The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-07-20

L
ing cold. the impossible situation, were
all part of joyous adventure.
i've been nearly frozen to death
and so l confiscated the bear rug
she explained. "You promised over the
phone to call for me here at 8, but
suppose the sudden storm detained you
| was up on the ladder, going over the
There was nothing else to do. SO !
rat where was, reading by the light
NJ my torch. Those wonderful old
books are interesting enough to make
one forget everything. Now" she end
cd abruptly. Twill II be possible for us
to go back?"
| IL am afraid not yet" John. Gordon
answered perplexedly.
With quick motion the girl discard
ed the fur rug and came nimbly down
the bookcase ladder.
1--WE will light the CRATE, them" she
said and put out her hand for match.
AS the fire curled about the gas logs
he came eagerly toward the warmth,
bending with wrinkled brows to study
the face of the girl. Unconscious Of
his puzzled and admiring scrutiny, she
removed her hat, the freight glinting
| upon the soft waves Of her hair. She
seemed to be an unusual young person
| OF decided action.
Now" she said, las we will be
obliged to remain here for time, we
can talk things over. I've brought a
little lunch" Deity she was arrang-
ing sandwiches upon box cover.
"Eave oneY she smiled
John Gordon smiled too. Dreaming
or waking, real or unreal, the discour-
aging adventure Of an hour ago had
turned, fairy-like, to one Of pleasure.
Thank you," he replied. "And now
may I ask just how you come to be
here"-he waved an arm about-"here
In the tower room Of this deserted.
ghostly old hOuse?"
The girls eyes opened wide. why.
I told you." she said, II came after
the books"
"Books?' 1t seemed the lawyer could
now only repeat, parrot-like, her words.
She nodded impatiently. But had
no idea there were so many. 1t will
be impossible to remove them at pres
ent. You gave me no idea Of their
number or value over the phone.
Whatever"-she gazed dreamily into
the fire-'possessed Uncle Laidlaw to
leave his books to father and the
house to that rich lawyers mother?
Now, If he'd left us the house and the
lawyer the bookshelf, that would
have been more reasonable"
John Gordon leaned forward In sud-
den understanding. So this was the
solution of the problem. He wished
lie had finished his reading Of the will.
"Your father he began.
us an invalid" she finished. T ~
I'VE have such tiny apartment In
the city. This country air would have
done him so much good. And the gar
den-oh. what garden l should have
made Of it in summer!" The girl sigh
ed. when does the lady take pos
session, Mr.. Perkins?" she asked.
John Gordon stared, then silently &C
cepted the real estate agents name.
IL haven't heard" he replied. "I'll
have to talk things over with you
later"
"And the books may remain for
timer" she asked him.
YES" he said.
The girl jumped up, going over to the
window. There's light at last!' she
cried. "And the storm is going over.
Do you think we dare venture yet?
Father will be so anxious. He is alone
until come. There are just We two"
Half regretfully John Gordon follow
ed to look /eer her shoulder to where
the lights now shone below. "Can you
walk it," he asked anxiously. She
had already started down the stair.
AS the key turned rustily in the front
door lock the two stood for moment
looking into each others eyes Into
John Gordon's heretofore empty heart
came a feeling Of great and protective
tenderness. He held out his arm, and
quietly the girl placed her own with
in it; then downward they started
through the drifts.
AT tuc bhc EdNC hlii hCI hdhu
In farewell. but he was going into the
city tonight, he told her, so they trav-
eled together. Next day came letter,
which Miss Laidlaw, with glowing
cheeks, read aloud to her father.
Mr.. Gordon $50 the agent Perkins
wrote) upon being consulted as to the
disposal of his property suggested that
a. caretaker be found, with salary to
cover expenses He himself did not
care to trouble with the estate, so II
Mr.. Laidlaw and his daughter were
willing to accept the position indef-
nitely-
'Willingv' cried the girl, and joyous
ly FASTENED to write their acceptance.
1t was necessary many times through
out the winter for the agent to make
his way to the Elmhurst home to see
that all was satisfactory. 1t seemed
also necessary for Miss Laidlaw her
self to drive him after each visit down
the hillside to the station, and into the
life Of John Gordon came the realiza-
ton that all service has not It's mer-
cenary motive, and into his heart came
a sweeter realization still.
1t was when the flower borders Of
the garden were blooming gloriously