The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1918-10-04
SELLS HER HOUSE
BY VICTOR LAURISToN.

Aunt Patricia had willed to her
her, Elsie Newton-"my cottage on
Patterson Avenue"
The cottage as valued at $1,000
for assessment purposes. AT other
times Aunt Patricia had always held
it at about 81 900 more. But Elsie.
while she mourned Aunt Patricia, gaz-
ed a tritle askance at Aunt Patricia's
gift.
What am | to do with it?" she ask
ed herself.
Live in it2 No. She was very COM
Portable at home thank you. with ia
iher and mother. When she became
an ancient spinster. as Aunt Patricia
had been. she r1ight need the house;
hut that eventually was quarter Of
A century distance.
Sell tbe house? Elsie agreed in
stantly. And. feeling keenly her OVID
insufficiency for the task. she conned
the real estate advertisements. select
ed that which struck her as snappiest.
snd betcok herself straightway to the
office of Benjamin Smiles.
A hrisk-iooking young man came to
the door.
as Mr. Smiles mr. demanded Elsie,
timidly.
~ am Mr.. Smiles" returned the
hrisk-looking young man. BE seated,
please" He pushed forward a chair.
Were you thinking of-buying .
house?"
81 want to SELL"
His look grew grave.
This is rather hard time Of the
year TO sell" As he spoke. he watched
her face. and the gaze of his keen gray
eyes was peculiarly penetrating.
would you mind describing the prop
erty?"
She did so. with little fancy touches
THANK you" he remarked. 'I'N
find purchaser for the cottage, never
fear"
But as the days wore on no word
came from Mr. BENJAMIN Smiles, real
estate agent. Elsie grew nervous. then
suspicious. After week she again
sought Mr.. Smiles little Office.
The young man welcomed her Gag.
erly.
1--WE had several prospects to look
at the house." he declared. "but-well
I didn't like to bring them around to
see you when they didn't seem near the
deciding point. OF course could bring
lot of people around to discuss a
deal hut you knew. IT'S bit hard just
at this season to bring a prospect to
the deciding point"
Elsie's face showed her disappoint.
ment.
"They want new house at bar.
gain price. and-you know-this cot
tage Is comfortable and commodious,
but Just bit ld-fashioned-"
Like Aunt Patricia" put in Miss
Newton. radiantly.
She watched Mr.. Smiles as he van
ished down the street, accompanied
by hard-looklng retired farmer who
had offered her 81 scotland not one
cent more.'
For three days he failed to visit her.
Then she called at his office, surgins
with Indignation at his neglect of her
interests. She began to tel, him what
she thought. Then she hesitated.
Miss Newton" he said. quietly, II
have a buyer for your cottage, for So
5OO-the price you named. But
by the wsy-the purchase is condi-
tional."
"Conditional--on whstT'
Mr. Smiles looked embarrassed. He
sat down swkwardly. and crossed his
legs and actually stared at her.
ITS this way" he remarked Hes
young fellow. and-he's thinking of
getting married. but-he's not quite
sure. Not quite sure. If he gets mar
ried. he'll, buy the house"
Elsie pondered.
"Ry all means. You must encoura ye
him." she returned.
"The trouble is he hasn't asked the
young lady. He Is very doubtful as to
her feelings. And 1t occurred to me
that perhaps you could-in a diplo-
matte way. You know"
"Find out2" questioned Elsie, sharp
".
Mr.. Smiles nodded.
an he very much pleased to do any
thing that will hasten sale" she re-
turned. practically. And who is the
young mani"
Mr.. Smiles bowed. She stared at
him.
"Mr. Benjamin Smiles" he added. in
explanation.
Her lip quivered.
Tin afraid" she protested.
blankly "If it's just the same to you
I'd prefer"
Then she slammed out into the COR
ridor and went blindly down the mar
row stairs. At home she sat long
time with herself. wondering duly
just what II all meant to her
Then she rallied. Her pride cams
to her aid. She went to the telephone.
Practical common sense inspired her
that, and the desire to be forever rid
of the house, and the heartbreak.
mfr Smiles" she told him, 'Tn dc