The Washington times., 1918-01-28
To My Sweetheart
SOLDIER
Every Girl Should Read
These Wonderful
Letters.
SEVENTH LETTER.

Observation-Disclosures the per-
son Of real estate agent-led Mann
my and Frank and me, today, to the
very door of.our hearts desire. We
started out in an ancient auto, fur
nished by said real estate office, and
operated by said agent. He signified
his wish to have me occupy the seat
OF honor with him, but Nanny
brushed him aside at the doorstep.
and, taking my hand, backed down
to the waiting machine with a series
OF odd, stately bows, as though she
were making royal progress. She
put me into the back seat, and
climbed in after, and sat on the very
eoRe OF the seat, as though resigned
20 the TACT that sooner or later, DUR
ing the ride, she was doomed to
meet her Maker. / didn't notice till
we started that she had on her crane
bonnet and her rubbers, and was car
rying her Docket Bible. These three
things constitute her armament Il
she starts out on any hazardous en-
The real estate agent was certain
ly not one to inspire confidence, He
was stout and square-had a shaver
upper hip, and reddish hair under his
chin, which is always an offensive
suggestion to me, of the origin of
species Then he had the unpleas-
ant symptoms Of just getting over
cold, or just coming down with
one. / thought something was
wrong with the engine, on account of
peculiar and rasping sounds, but
discovered it was a series of snuff
fes coming from the agent at math-
ematically precise intervals. Our
ride was over a rough road, and
Nanny and l ratified about consid-
erably on the back seat. After a
specially violent bump, when Mann
my's bonnet came to grief against
the top Of the auto, she gave one
whitening glance at the back of the
agents head, and said, very loud
IF the Lord hasn't seen fit TO make
a man a fool, it's a pity for him
to make one of himself After that
silence reigned Except for snuffles)
until We drew up before the gate Of
our future home.
Oh, beloved, why weren you there
to see it with me!-to walk with me
hand-in-hand through the lovely gar
den, and the wide, high rooms of the
old-fashioned house,? II had plan
ned it, ] couldn't have pleased myself
better. A tagged path comes IN
from the gate, and the door opens
like hospitable arms to a weary
stranger.
There is such a difference in
doors! Have you ever noticed it?
Some say welcome" right of, and
YOUR heart warns within youl Some
look at you indifferentiy and cast a
canny e over our shoes, and say,
oh, well, come in if you must, and
/ suppose We can sweep the dust
out after you're gonei" While others
have plain Go away; we don't want
vou!" written all over their portals.
My door is going to say Welcome"
written in bright, CHEEKY voice to
every one who fares its way, and God
grant it may give comfort to many
a pilgrim. 1t said welcome" to me,
Gnu NClN lHAO a SHudNC lldll-d Ulk
fireplace on one side, fianked by two
window seats. Of of this are two
rooms on either side, making IDEAL
suites for our two mothers. A bath
room is cleyerly arranged so it is
accessible from either side. Back is
a dining room, with long door open
ing into the garden-and back of all
is a sunny kitchen and bedroom for
NANNY. The garage, with rooms
above, will be Franks abiding place.
Wide stairs 90 up t" my domain!
There's a big room and bath for me,
with fireplace and bav window, and
a smaller room, where | shall have
my desk.
l left Nanny and Frank in the
house with the agent, and ] went into
the garden. Oh, how you would love
my garden! Sun was high in the
heavens, shining through simmer
inc autumn haze! The air was soft
and balmy, and the ground was
green with the aftermath of summer.
The leaves were nearly gone, and
the trees looked like little old men
cross and wrinkled. but, oh, how
everything will bloom and blossom
for me next summer.
Do YOU like our home in the gar
den, dearest? Will you come to me
ON the rustic bench under the live
oak tree, and hold my hand in yours
and tell me again and again all those
things which we have had too short
''rne G 70 STy BELOVED.