The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-03-20
The HOME MAN
BY EARL REED sILvERs.

from or why he selected the quiet lit
tie house on the outskirts Of Merchant
Vile. Even Mrs. Mary Springer. the
pretty young widow who kept the
boarding house. could no elicit any
news as to his business. He sat in his
room writing for the greater part of
h 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 recollections, as IL
she 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 invalu-
able In Mrs. Springer's daily routine.
When the cook left suddenly, he per-
mitted the landlady to tie a Bingham
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 homework
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 Ii 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
willed and ~headstrong. Then she men,
toned a boy, Arthur Howell, with
whom she had kept company" as she
said, for a year or more, only to for
get all about him when Dudley Spring
er, eitihed and 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 !
have kept this boarding house."
Have you never thought of going
back to the people at homer" He
spoke softly, and his sad eyes looked
into the distance.
I've thought about It," she an
swered. But l 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. I'm homesick
for the West-for him."
do you know what has become OF
hIm?"
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 himf" asked the man tensely. In
the depth of his brown eyes glowed q
smoldering fire.
Nothing" She spoke disconsolately.
HE has probably forgotten all about
me by now"
But II he hasn't and he should
come to you, what would you dor"
I'D do anything In the world he
wanted me to-"
The mans hand was shaking; bis
voice trembled slightly.
DO you think you would know him
II you saw him7"
81 don't know. 1t has been ten years
since l went away with the other man
and they say that Arthur took 1t hard
and changed"
What did you say his name was7'
Arthur Howell"
The nan opened the magazine which
he held in his hand.
Here is something which might In
terest you," he said. 'Look on page
iinety-five."
She turned to the place indicated
and there, In big black type she rea(
the name Arthur Howell.
why" she gasped. "he has writer
a storyl"
Yes" the man spoke sadly. "1 hav,
seen his name countless times in tn,
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
ch~antville?"
She started.
what, In this town."
"Yes, he has been here for the pas
six months"
And you know him?" she demand
ed.