The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-11-27
LITTLE GRAY HOUSE
BY HlLpA NORRIS.

I tdih tA tit NhhhhiN h'1Ns +A.fN' - Ntf''
upon n early one morning In June
when she was searching for a quiet
| place 10 read and dream.
Mildred was teacher and she had
come 70 spend her long summer vaca-
ton at Willow Lake hotel She was
slim girl, pale and pretty, with a
soft charm that needed only rest and
fresh air to make It bloom into real
beauty.
The little gray house looked like a
laven peaceful enough for anyone. It
was shaded by huge oak tree, and
the patch Of lawn Lefore It was green
and smooth as velvet. A large "For
1 Rent" sign decorated its front window.
Mildred climbed the steps and peered
In at the window. She saw 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.
Il do want to see the rest Of 1t. I
wonder
She turned the knob softly and found
that the door was unlocked, so she ex-
plored the quaint interior, growing
more enamored Of the place at every
step.
It was not hard to find the man who
had charge of 1.-THE lived Il half q
mile farther down the road.
"That's the Gordons' house" he ex-
planned. They're all dead now except
one young fcller that's moved to the
city. He wants It took good care of,
and he'll rent 1t cheap to anybody'l
do that"
"Oh, ! 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 a month--less than half
the sum she paid for her stuffy room
in the hotel. Mildred had little fur
nlture 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. it
was as delightful room as any wom-
an could wish.
There came dusty August day
with a hint of thunder and rain Ia
the air. There came also o letter
most unwelcome letter TO Mildred
in her little house. It was from the
principal Of the private school where.
she was a teacher 1t 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 cozy.
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 living at homel The threat of
rain had become a reality. II began to,
fall in sudden torrents AS Mildred
stood at the window she saw a man
come down fhe road, running He.
turned suddenly, and sought shelter
under the big oak tree before her.
house. AT that moment a glimmer OF.
lightning flashed out Mildred rushed
to the door,
"Please come inl" she called. you
might be struck under that tree. Tt
isn't safe"
"All right" he called back in pleas
ant voice, and in two or three bounds
he was on the vernnda, shaking HIM
self like n big Newfoundland
"I'm pretty wet" he smiled. II
hope"
But Mildred interrupted him with
sudden exclamation.
David Gordon" she cried 'How-
ever did you come TO me-here?"
81 came to see nv house" he re-
Piled "and you. Didn't you know, Mil
dred. that was your landlordw
''Nol" she said. 'I didn't. What
ever do you live at Mrs Green's for
when You have a place like ihis?r
"Why I couldn't live here alone" he
said. "and make 1t look like this
Goodness. Mildred what have you done
to the old place? Tt hasn't been SO
homclike-since mother died"
Mildred laughed, a little ruefully
Il know it's homelike.' she said.
aAnd the worst Of 1t Is I've got to
leave II and go back to work very
soon. I--hate TO give it up"
David nodded. a little ahsently. Tie
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 yourself7"
Mildred was saying.
II couldn't--now," he said. ats
rented It's your house. There's just
one condition under which might live
here. That is"
She waited, wondering, her heart
curiously a-fiutter.
'That you viii stay here with me.
Could you marry me, Mildred. even
though I offered you nothing better
than this little house, and love?r
"Oh. Davidn she whispered. 'T-
could. And nobody In all the world /
could wish for any more -
Copyright, 1917. by the AIcOiure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
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