The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-12-05
OFFENSIVE HOUSE
BY AGNES q. eRooAN.
Copyright. 1913. Western Newspaper Union.

homes. Very exclusive indeed. was
that section named "Hillcrest." Here
no house might be erected beneath
certain large stated sum, and each resi-
/ dence must have Its accompanying
number Of acres.
IIillcrest was proud Of It's Haunted
wealth, and its select society. One
might tide along the perfect roads
without fear of one dispensing sight.
In all Its ideal appointments there was
but one jarring note-the farmhouse
ut the top OF the hill. In vain, petit
i lions had been offered for It's removal,
In vain. influentials had sought Its
purchase-the offending house was not
for sale.
Miss Perkins, the obstinate owner,
had lived there since childhood and re-
fused to part from the home Of her
fathers.
wild hollybocks poking their heads
over our stone WALL" complained Mrs.
Forrest. giving one the appearance Of
having been planted on this side. And
that womnn's voice screeching for
June-Ro at all times. it's madden
ingi What a ridiculous name for a
girl. helper or whatever she may be ~
ut Is her name" Miss Sylvia For
rest rerlied, "the delivery boy told my
maid that the girls proper name Is
Rose. and the first one, June / wish
she would whisper TO me the secret OF
her peaches and cream complexion"
my dearW exclaimed her mother,
'can you not think OF some more inter-
esting topic than the impossible people
newt doorT
Miss Sylvia laughed. well, yes"
she said, "tbe great Beverly arrives
this afternoon, Douglas Beverly. the
lionlzed artist. The Schuylers are CIV
ing the first reception"
Mrs. Forests eyes were alight with
excitement. "The Beverlys are one of
our oldest families. my dear" she en-
thused Long before Hillcrest was
planned as residence section, the
Beverly place was the finest one In
town. Douglas went abroad when you
were little girl. | believe his mother
has been ambitious for a davghter-in-
law from the British aristocraey, but
Douglas comes home free and famous"
Mrs. Forrest paused. you are ex-
ceedngly attractive Sylvia" she said
suggestively.
$50 are many Hillcrest girls" that
young woman added. Douglas Bever-
ly later came TO form the same opinion.
oh hn In II
ton of the prodigal old-fashioned
flowers, that the offensive house escap-
ed his notice; and when he did regard
the quaint white building with green
suffered doors, IL was as a charmed
background, to his new hastily planned
picture-"The Old Home Garden"
Then, like the spirit of the garden,
June-Rose with her soft pink cheeks,
and her pink cambria dress, appeared
before him.
When he was sure that the girl was
not part of his imaginary brain pic
ture. the artist advanced. II would
like to ask permission to make u sketch
of your home" he said, "to be permit
ted to make study of these wondrous
fiower-colors,-"
II will take you TO my aunt" June
Rose replied. and she led the way
through the green suffered door.
"Your great Beverly like other men
Of genius is spoiled" Mrs. Forrest
complained 10 her daughter. "No one
seems to have found the royal path to
his favor. He ignores invitations; is
he busy?"
Miss Sylvia curled her lip. "why
haven't you heardf He spends his
waking hours, sketching that dlsrepu-
table old house next door, the girl
June-Rose. usually lowering in the
background. Madame Beverly is fran
tic, and his father is trying to persuade
Douglas to take another world tour.
Can you imagine what 1t would mean.
Ia their standing. II Douglas should
take II into his head TO marry that no.
body? The very house has been an
eye-sore to them all along. but this
pennlless girl, who, of course. is play
ing the artist TO win fortune"
Mrs. Forrest raised her hands in
noIToTs, tneu sne lduSneu SndTply.
"Well," she said, "those Beverlys
have been looking down on the rest of
us all our lives and II II should hap
pen, but Il won't" she ended decided
ly, "the thing is impossible"
At this moment the artist was bend
ing rapturously over the radiant face
OF June-Rose. ut was In just such a
fragrant peaceful setting that had
always hoped to find my princess" he
told her. And June-Rose smiled.
at was just such a wonderful prince
as you. whom l dreamed would come
sailing across the sea TO claim me-"
she said. And publicly the next eve
ming their betrothal notice appeared
In the paper.
Mrs. Forrest gasped. "AIiss Per
kins," she read. announces the en-
gagement of her niece June-ROse, TO
Douglas Beverly" Smiling grlmly
Mrs. Forrest turned TO the telephone.
Congratulations Mrs. Beverly" she
called. upon your sons intended mar
rlage. We are all anxious TO learn !
more OF the young lady. A niece OF |,
the Miss Perkins l believe. who.-er-