The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-02-17
THE HOME MAN
BY EARL REED sILvERs.


tie house on the outskirts OF Merchant
ville Even Mrs. Mary Springer the
pretty young widow who kept tho
boarding house. could not elicit any
news as to his business. He sat In his
room writing for the greater part OF
the day. and In the evening he mingled
with the other boarders on the front
porch, or IN the living room, listening
to their idle conversation, and ventur-
ing now and then a quaint suggestion.
After he had spent a month In the
house, the others knew no more about
him than they had known on the eve
ming of his arrival. But they learned
to like him and to court his quiet
friendship.
Because he was In the house all day,
Mrs. Springer grew to know him well.
There was something vaguely familiar
about his soft voice certain manner
isms awoke vague recollectlons, as IL
size had seen him before. He reminded
her, In some way, of someone she had
known In the little western town
where she had spent her girlhood.
Gradually he won a place In the
hearts Of the members Of the house
hold. His little acts of kindness were
everywhere apparent.
But, most of all. he became lnvalu-
able In Mrs. Springer's daily routine.
When the cook left suddenly, he per-
mitted the landlady to tie a gingham
apron around his waist, and for two
days, until the new cook arrived, he
took entire charge of the kitchen. He
seemed to have a genius for housework
and when there was nothing to do in
the way of cooking he pottered about
the yard, repairing an old fence which
had been broken for months. putting
new wire on the chicken coop and
painting the back porch until the
boarders did not recognize 1t as an
old friend
They fell into the habit of sitting on
the porch and talking. She told him
about her youth; how she had lived in
Wisconsin, the only daughter of the vii
lage doctor; how she had been self
wiIled and headstrong. Then she mem
toned boy, Arthur Howell, with
whom she had "kept company" as she
said, for year or more, only TO for
get all about him when Dudley Spring
err citified aud supposedly rich, had
visited the town. She had finally run
away with the stranger, and then her
enlightenment had begun.
He died two. years after we were
married." she said, "and since then l
have kept this boarding house."
Have you never thought OF going
back 70 the people at homer" He
spoke softly and his sad eyes looked
into the distance.
"l've thought about It," she an
swered. but couldn't bear the idea
of going back there. want the town
folks, and especially Arthur, to think
that ! am happy"
"And aren't your" His voice was
hardly more than a whisper.
No" she answered. "pm homesick
for the West--for him."
DO you know what has become of
him?n
HE went away and the girls with
whom he kept in touch do not know
where he has gone"
What would you do If you should
meet him?" asked the man tensely. In
the depth of his brown eyes glowed a
smoldering fire.
Nothing" She spoke dlsconsolately.
He has probably forgotten all about
me by now"
But If he hasn't and he should
come to you what would you do?a
I'D do anything In the world he
wanted me to-"
The mans hand was shaking; his
voice trembled slightly.
DO you think you would know him
If YOU saw him?n
Il don't know. 1t has been ten years
since went away with the other man,
and they say that Arthur took it hard
and changed"
"What did you say his name wasf"
arthur Howell"
The man opened the magazine which
he held n his hand.
Here is something which might in
terest YOU" he said. "Look on page
ninety-five."
She turned to the place indicated,
and there, in big black type she read
the name Arthur Howell.
"Whyl" she gasped. "he has written
a story 2"
"Nes, the man spoke sadly. 80 have
/ seen his name countless. times IN the
big magazines. He IS a famous wri-
/ ter"
I'm glad; he deserves all the sue
cess he has won"
"Do you know that he is in Mer-
chantyllleT
She started
"Whet in this town."
yes, he has been here for the past
six months"
And you know himg~ she demand.
ed.
Yes" he answered slowly. q know
I ltf I