Graham guardian., 1918-11-15
SELLS HER HOUSE
BY VICTOR LAuRIsToN.

Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndcate)
Aunt Patricia had willed to her
her. Elsie Newton-"my cottage on
Patterson Avenue"
The cottage as valued at S2,OOO-
for assessment purposes. At other
times Aunt Patricia had always held
II at about $1,000 more. But Elsie,
while she mourned Aunt Patricia, gaz-
ed a trihe askance at Aunt Patricia's
gift.
"What am | to do with it?" she ask
ed herself.
Live in III No. She was very COM
Portable at home, thank you, with fa.
ther and mother. When she became
an ancient spinster, as Aunt Patricia
had been. she might need the house;
hut that eventually was quarter Of
a century distance.
Sell the house? Elsie agreed In
stantly. And, feeling keenly her own
insufiiclency 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.
"ls Mr.. Smiles in7" demanded Elsie,
timldIy.
II am Mr.. Smiles" returned the
brisk-looking young man. BE seated,
please" He pushed forward chair.
''Were you thinking of-buying q
hOuse?"
II 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.
"woud you mind describing the prop
ertyf"
She did so, with little fancy touches.
"Thank you" he remarked. "Tu
find a 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 eag-
erly.
"pve had several prospects to look
at the house." he declared, "but---well
Il didn't like to bring them around to
see you when they didn't seem near tte
deciding point OF course could bring
lot of people around to discuss
deal, but you know, It's bit hard just
at this season to bring prospect to
the deciding point"
). Elsle's face showed her disappoint.
ment.
"They want new house at bar.
gain price. and--you know-this cot.
tage Is comfortable and commodlous,
but Just q bit old-fnshioned-"
Like Aunt Patricia" put in Miss
Newton. radiantly.
She watched Mr.. Smiles as he van.
ished down the street, accompanied
by a hard-looking retired farmer who
had offered her S1,S00-"and not one
cent more"
For three days he failed to visit her.
| Then she called Mt his office, surginx
with Indignation at his neglect Of her
interests. She, began to tell him what
she thought. Then she hesitated.
Miss Newton" he said, quietly, Il
have buyer for your cottage. for ST..
| 5OO-the price you named. But
by the way--the purchase 10 condi.
tional."
"Conditonal-on what"
Mr.. Smiles looked embarrassed. He
sat down awkwardly. and crossed his
legs and actually stared at her.
"It's this way" he remarked. "He's
young fellow, and-he's thinking Of
getting married, but--he's not quite
sure. Not quite sure. II he gets mar
ried, he'll buy the house."
Elsie pondered.
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 eperhaps you could-in diplo-
matte way, you know
"Find out?" questionedNElsie, sharp
~.
Mr.. Smiles nodded.
''Fll he very much pleased to do any
thing that will hasten SALE" she re-
turned. practically. "And who Is the
! young manT
Mr.. Smiles bowed. She stared at
him.
"Mr. Benjamin Smiles" he added, In
explanation.
Her lip quivered.
"l--Tm 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 dully
Just what II all meant to 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, "I'Il do
what you asked-because-becouse ]
promised" She paused s,traglcnlly,
glad that he could not see fNe dabbing
OF her handkerchief. "WhO--whO Ia
the--the ladyp"
| WN(tce EIcia Naxvto, "