Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-12


minutes they cleared the point. Stella
was looking away across the lake ut
the deep cleft where silver creek spit
, mountain range In twain.
Look around" said he, "and tell me
what you think of the House OF Fyfe."
There 1t stood. snow white, broad
porched, n new house reared upon the
old stone foundation she remembered.
The noon sun struck flashing ON the
windows About it spread the living
green OF the grassy square Behind
that lowered the massive, dark hued
background Of the forest.
oh" she exclaimed. "Wha. wiz
ard of construction did the work. That
was why you fused so long over those
plans in Los Angeles. thought 1t
was to he this summer or maybe next
winter. ! never dreamed you were
having It built right away"
We'll, isn't 1t rather nice to come
| home to-" he observed
ITS dear, honey looking place"
she answered. "A beautiful site, and
| the house fits, that white and the red
tiles. Is the big stone fireplace in the
living room, jack
Eyes, and one in pretty nearly every
other room besides" he nodded. Wood
| fires are cheerful
/ The Panther turned her nose shore
ward at Fyfe's word and soon slid in
/ to the float. Jack aud Stella went
ashore Lefty Howe came down to
meet them. Thrty-fve or forty men
! We're stringing away from the camp,
back to their work IN the woods Some
/ waved greeting to Jack Fyfe. and he
waved back In the hail fellow fashion
Of the camps.
Flows the frau, Lefty he inquired
after they had shaken hands.
I Fine. Down to Vancouver Sisters
sick" Howard answered laconically.
Houses all shpshape. Wnnta eat
here or up there?"
Here at the camp until we get
Strengthened around" Fyfe responded.
Tell Pollock to have something for us
in about half an hour Wen go up
and take look"
Howe went in to convey this mes
/ sage. and the two set off up the path.
sudden spirit Of impishness made
Jack Fyfe sprint. Stella gathered up
her skirt and raced after him, but a
sudden shortness of breath overlook
her, and she came painting to where
Fyfe had stopped to wait.
you'll have to climb hills and row
and swim so you'll get some wind, y
Fyfe chuckled. TOO much easy Nv
ing, lady"
She smiled without making any reply
to this sally, and they entered the
house-the House Of Fyfe, that was to
be her home.
II the exterior had pleased her, she
went from room to room inside with
growing amazement. Fyfe had finish
ed from basement to attic without a
word to her that he had any such I'M
dertnking In hand. Yet there was
scarcely room In which she could
not find the visible result of some ex
pressed wish or desire. Often during
the winter they had talked over the
matter Of furnishings, and she recalled
how unconsciously she had been led
to make suggestions which he had
stored up ana acted upon. For the rest
she found her husbands tuste beyont
criticism. There were drapes and rugs
and prints and odds and ends that any
woman might be proud to have in heI
home
you're nm amazing sort Of a man
Jack" she said thoughtfully rs ther,
anything you're not up to? Even {
Chinese servant In the kitchen. It,
perfect"
"I'm glad you like IT, he said. :"
hoped you would"
"Who Wouldn't she cried impul
sively. II love pretty things. Wal
till | get done rearranging."
They introduced themselves to til,
immobile featured Celestial when the,
had jointly and seyerally inspected TN
house from top to bottom. Sum F0
gazed at them. listened TO their accom-
Of themselves and disappeared
From that day Oh Stella found. IN he