The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-10-03
THE NEW TENANT
BY AIRLINE A. MACDONALD.
=; : V,

(copyrigbt, 1918, Western Newspaper urlOn.j
.'I saw some workmen on the Church
i'll place today, Jon. think new ten
ant is coming ill.," remarked Ma Hol-
ton at the supper rabia-
Jonathan Holton's lifted teacup de-
gcended slowly into his saucer AS he
looked up inquiringly.
"So?" he answered. TITS been closed
some twenty years now, Martha.
shouldn't wonder If young Churchill
was back to open ii. I'll take run
over there tomorrow and investigate
In the silence that followed, Azalia
Holton sat absorbed in thought. She
knew Bryant Churchill only as she re-
called his features on richly toned
Autographed music sheets. He was a
composer.
The homestead of Jonathan Hoiton
adjoined the magnificent estate Of the
Churchills, from the time of whose de-
cease he had exercised AN oversight
of The premises which was syInpa-
tEetic contribution more than anything
else.
The next day Azalia started out for
her usual after-dinner ramble through
the fragrant fields and odorous groves,
and had not gone far when she stopped
at the sight Of freshly painted sign
boards that blazed on every walk and
Iath:
"private Grounds. Keep ON"
She stood transhxed in her virgin
loVeliness.
"What hateful protestation was
her first utterance when she had sutfi'
ciently recovered her composure.
1t took her but moment to realize
that on her first battlefield she was
helpless and defenseless. Like the
Flaming sword" OF old seemed these
emblazoned monitors that urged her
back from the tree Of life. She felt
that her problem was a serious one.
After meditating for some minutes she
finally decided she would interview the
new tenant. Her almost inherent right
would be a probable excuse.
AS she advanced toward the house
her courage returned and she quickly
mounted the steps and gave the door
vigorous blow. After several unsuc'
cesSful attempts to arouse some one
she tried the door, which opened SC
easily that it gave her a surprise. The
pleasant odor that greeted her seemed
a part of the distinctive interior. The
place was so beautiful that Azalia
walked about from room to room.
In delightful contrast to the plain
little organ in her home was the rich
grand piano Uttered with music copies
Now, Azalia's musical training hnd
not been neglected and it was only nat
ural that her fingers should seek the
KEYS as she glanced at the music be
fore her. Very soon she was playing
with her accustomed grace and skill
but In turning the pages of the foliQ
an inner sheet was dislodged and fell
to the floor somewhere. She turned
about, only to discover that it was ip
the hands of handsome young man
in uniform. r
'I heard fhe music and came in tc
| congratulate the musician. | am Bry
ant Churchill" He was returning thu
fallen music to the piano.
"Are you the--the--the coming
man?' she faltered.
"The coming man." he repeated.
''I mean, you are the new tenant
explained AZalia,
Rather, the once upon time ten
ant facing new conditions You arr
| -"
"Azalia Holtou," demurely.
"And now permit me to explain my
statement, which may have seemed tt
YOU trifle obscure. This is my ole
home and / came here a week ago, bu
am leaving again tomorrow to do M
bit for Uncle Sam, and then expee
to return for good"
Then together they sat talking an'
listening intenuy to one another untl
the twilight fell about them.
"Azalia," he was rejecting. VI hav'
little gem by that name
He strobe TO the piano. II AZalia hal
lost her heart in the grandeur an'
charm of Churchill manor it surely hat
been found by the artist-owner befor
her, whose mastery execution wa
only surpassed by his kind voice AM
pleasing personality. He was the cap
sheaf Of all that had gone before.
Abruptly he turned and was speai
ing in lawyer fashion.
Access to my property for twent
years gives your father almost an In
violable right in it. But there is an
other who has a greater lien upon it.
He had risen and was looking ava
from her and did not see the cloud Q
disappointment that settled upon he
face. She moved toward him an
touched his arm consolingly. "Canno
something be done?" an anxious loo
ON her face, now uplifted.
Tier freshness, UNSEEN by him In OIL
ers. captivated him. With an indescril
able impulse he suddenly drew her int
his arms and kissed her. 1t might b
the only one he could ever claim.
"Bryantr' she murmured, gently di
engaging herself.
'Forgive me, Azalia," he said.
couldn't help it. Can't YOU see you al
the one? In my travels l have foun
III -. 1:t,o sos, though | have Ofte