Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-12-13
[uTTlE GRAY HOUSE
BY HlLpA NORRIS.

upon Il early one morning In June
when she was searching for a quiet
place TO read and dream.
Mildred was teacher, and she had
come to spend her long summer vaca-
ton at Willow Lake hotel. She was
n slim girl, pale and pretty, with n
soft charm that needed only rest and
fresh air to make Il bloom into real
beauty.
The little gray house looked like a
haven peaceful enough for anyone. II
was shaded by huge oak tree, and
the patch of lawn before 1t was green
and smooth as velvet. A large "For
Rent" sign decorated its front window
Mildred climbed the steps and peered
in at the window. She saw a clean
swept room with painted white wood
work and an old white wooden man.
tel. There was a glimpse Of a blue
walled kitchen on beyond.
"Ohl" the girl exclaimed to herself
'T do want to see the rest Of II. ]
wonder"
She turned the knob softly and found
that the door was unlocked, so she eS-
plored the quaint interior, growing
more enamored of the place at every
step.
1t was not hard to find the man who
had charge of 1.-The lived a half q
mile farther down the road.
"That's the Gordons' house." he ex-
planned. They're all dead now except
one young Teller that's moved to the
city. He wants It took good care Of
and he'll rent 1t cheap to anybody'll
do that"
ooh, 1 will take good care of It,"
Mildred assured him, smiling. "Tll
even paper some of the walls"
SO she got the house for the absurd
rental Of 81 month-less than half
the sum she paid for her stuffy room
in the hotel. Mildred had little fur
niture in storage in the city. She sent
for this, and set about the process Of
redecorating the sunny rooms.
BY the time the living room was
complete, with its chintz curtains,
braided rugs and gate-legged table, 1t
was as delightful room as any wom-
an could wish.
There came dusty August day
with a hint Of thunder and rain In
the air. There came also q letter.
most unwelcome letter to Mildred
in her little house. 1t was from the
principal of the private school where
she was a teacher. II said that she
was expected to return to her post on
the 18th Of September.
She lit fret was really cool for |
August, and she was always ready to
light a fire at the slightest excuse be-
cause It looked so coy.
Mildred sat before the fire, trying
her very best to think Of some plan by
which she could escape her year at
the school. If only she could paint,
or write, or do some clever thing to
earn a living at home! The threat Of |
rain had become reality. 1t began to |
fall in sudden torrents. AS Mildred
stood at the window she saw a man
come down the road, running. He |
turned suddenly, and sought shelter |
under the big oak tree before her |
house. At that moment glimmer of |
lightning flashed out. Mildred rushed |
TO the door.
"PIease come I'M" she called. you |
might be struck under that tree. II |
isn't safe"
"All right" he called back in pleas |
ant voice, and in two or three bounds |
he was on the veranda, shaking him |
self like big Newfoundland.
I'm pretty wet" he smiled. ~
hope"
But Mildred interrupted him with a
sudden exclamation.
"David Gordon I" she cried. "How- |
ever did you come TO me-here?"
81 came to see my house." he re-
piled, "and you. Didn't you know, MIL |
dred, that I was your landlordT
'Now she said. 81 didn't. What |
ever do you live at Mrs. Green's for |
when you have place like this?"
"Why couldn't live here alone" he |
said, "and make II look like this |
Goodness, Mildred, what have you done |
TO the old place? 1t hasn't been so |
mother diedp
Mildred laughed, little ruefully.
81 know it's homellke," she said. |
sand the worst Of 1t is I've got to |
leave It and go back to work very |
soon. I-hate TO give 1t up"
David nodded, little absently. He
was looking at the brown-haired girl |
in the blue gown and thinking how |
lovely she was, how well she fitted into |
the coy little room.
"Why don't you move In yourselfr
Mildred was saying.
II couldn't-nOw," he said. TITS |
rented. It's your house. There's Just |
one condition under which might live |
here. That is"
She waited. wondering. her heart |
curiously a-futter.
THAT you win stay here with me- |