The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-04-20
SELLS HER HOUSE
BY VICTOR LAURisroN.

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
1t at about $1,000 more. But Elsie.
while she mourned Aunt Patricia, gaz-
ed trife askance at Aunt Patricia's
gift.
what am l to do with it?" she ask
ed herself.
| Live In 1t? No. She was very COM
Portable at home. thank you. with fn-
Their and mother. When she became
an ancient spinster, as Aunt Patricia
had been, she might need the house;
but that eventually was quarter OF
a century distance.
| Sell the house? Elsie agreed in
stantly. And, feeling keenly her own
insufficiency for the task, she conned
the real estate advertisements, select
| ed that which struck her as snappiest,
and betook herself straightway to the
office Of Benjamin Smiles.
A brisk-looking young man came to
| the door.
rs Mr.. Smiles in?" demanded Elsie.
| timidly.
II am Mr.. Smiles, returned the
brisk-looking young man. "Be seated,
| please" He pushed forward chair.
"Were you thinking of-buying a
| 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'm
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
.rly.
"rve had several prospects TO look
81 the house" he declared, "but-well
Il didn't like to bring them around To
ee you when they didn't seem near the
deciding point. OF course | could bring
a lot of people around to discuss II
deal hut you know, it's bit hard just
at this season to bring IL prospect TO
the deciding point"
Elsie's face showed her disappoint-
ment.
They want new house Mt bar
gain price. and-you know-this cot
tage is comfortable and commodious,
but Just bit old-fashioned-"
Like Aunt Patricia" put in Miss
Newton. radiantly.
She watched Mr.. Smiles as he van
shcd down the street, accompanied
by hard-looking retired farmer who
had offered her 81 ,S00--"and not one
cent more"
For three days he failed to visit her.
Then she called at his office, surging
with Indignation ut his neglect of her
interests She began to tell him what
she thought. Then she hesitated.
Miss Newton" he said, quietly. 81
have buyer for your cottage, for 3d.,
500--the price you named But
by the way-the purchase is condi-
tional."
"Conditional-on what?"
Mr.. Smiles looked embarrassed. He
sat down awkwardly, and crossed his
legs and actually stared at her.
ats this way" he remarked. He's
young fellow. and--he's thinking Of
getting married, but-he's not quite
sure. Not quite sure. If he gets mar
ricd. he'll buy the house."
Elsie pondered.
"By all means. you must encourage
him." she returned.
"The trouble Is. he hasn't asked tho
young lady He Is very doubtful as to
her feelings. And II occurred to me
that perhaps you could--in Il diplo-
matte way, you know"
Find out?" questioned Elsie, sharp.
~,
Mr.. Smiles nodded.
"Tll he very much pleased to do any
thing that will hasten sale" she re-
turned. practically. And who is the
young man?"
Mr.. Smiles bowed. She stared at
him.
mfr. benjamin Smiles" he added, In
explanation.
Her lip quivered.
w-I'm 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 menntpo her.
Then she rallied. Her pride came
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.
"Mr. Smiles" she told him. 'Tll do
what you d-because--because
promised" She paused.s. tragically.
glad that he could not see the dabbIng
Of her handkerchief. "Who--wllo Is
thc--the Iadyf"