Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-03-20
THE APPLICANT
BY AGNES G. BRoGAN.

seE~A.~-A.A-A.A.A-A
You and Aunt Matilda might go out
and attend to the natter" Ben sug-
gested, I'm going to be awfuly busy,
and can't spare the time. Benson, the
agent, says that the house is in good
condition and the change to country
air might do you both good. All you
VIII have to do is to look over carefully
the applicants who come in response to
my advertisement.
IF we are to make a success Of our
| legacy farm during the coming sum-
mer, good farmer must be put in
| charge now. One with housekeeping
wife would of course be preferable.
Man, or man and wife / worded the
ad. If you can't find suitable couple,
| however, and a promising single man
himself. Your judgment is better
| than mine, SIS" he ended placatingly.
u hate to go out to that forsaken
place." Nancy grumbled, especially
now, when there are so many things
to do in town. But when did I ever
fail you, Ben? If Aunt Matilda can be
persuaded"
Aunt Matilda is always glad to help
Others" that lady answered severely,
and the Brotherhood of the family
relievedly turned to depart.
"By the way" he called back, "don't
fail fn coll anu nf tho old inf IN ho
house, if you have chance"
"Just like man." Nancy smiled,
show, or to whom could sell old fur
niture in that wildernessY
The prospect of e. stay In the coun-
try place was not as discouraging as it
had seemed. Aunt Matilda settled
back comfortably in a rocker before
the fire which early spring time made
necessary, while Nancy opened the
long unused piano. The harmony
which her fingers drew from the yellow
keys was interrupted by loud ring
ing of the white handled doorbell, and
the girl fastened to respond. A tall,
heavily cloaked figure stood before her
in the doorway, rumpling his dark hair,
the man snatched off his cap in greet
ing.
II came about the advertisement"
he answered.
"Come ill.," Nancy invited she pushed
forth a chair.
The mans eyes frightened in evil
dent admiration at sight of her.
"About the advertisement" she MUIR
INJURED considering. "Are you mar
ried?"
The applicant stared. "Why, no
he began.
"Well, it isn't essential Nancy said,
''that is, if you are able to do your own
cooking and washing up. Can your"
The man blinked. "The advertise
ment-" he started, but again the girl
interrupted.
"Have you a reference?" she quer-
led.
The applicant stood up and smiled.
''Your brother sent me out" he said.
May I use the phone a moment?"
Ben had sent him. In relief Nancy
led the way to the telephone.
"This is Barclay" spoke the mans
voice. "The young lady out here wants
to be sure I am all right; will you tell
her"
"Sure," came back Ben's familiar
tone.
Nancy took the instrument into her
hands. "You can bank on that man
Barclay, SIS" Ben assured her. Then
briskly she led the way to the kitchen.
Il will need your help here first"
she told the man, engaged for all work,
and he laid aside his heavy coat, COM
ing cheerfully to her assistance. When
the fire had been attended to, he busted
himself with a refractory faucet, while
Nancy began her task of preparing the
evening meal. Constantly she felt
those dark eyes upon her, though the
man remained deferentially silent.
During the week which followed the
man was tir7less in service, even Aunt
a jewel. "We may now leave the
place safe in his hands," she said.
But to Nancy the thought of re-
turning to the city home was far from |
inviting. She had not known that |
springtime in the country could be so
enchanting. 1t had been fun, too, she |
made self confession guiltily-teaching |
Mr.. Barclay to COCK. And he had been |
a most agreeable pupil. So many !
things had been pleasant-the long |
drives about the place which it had |
been her duty to take in his company, |
as director. Nancy sighed.
Through the window she noticed |
Bens small car turning into the |
driveway, and in another moment he
had entered the room. eLifting his
face from his sisters kiss of greeting, |
Pan stared at the Hhelner'S', fipIIre In |