The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-10-23
THE new TENANT
By AIRLINE A. MACDONALD.
lpla. Weatern NeHspaper linton.


kvNNNNNNNNNNNNNHNNNN NNNNNNNVNNUNN6
tCopyriGht. 1918. Western Newspaper Union.)
II saw some workmen on the Church
Ill place today, Jon. think new ten
ant is coming In" remarked ma" Hol-
ton at the supper table.
Jonathan Holton's lifted teacup de-
scended slowly into his saucer as he
looked up ihqulringly.
'So?" he answered. "It's been closed
some twenty years now, Martha.
shouldn't wonder IL young Churchill
was back to open 1t. I'll take a run
over there tomorrow and investigate"
In the silence that followed, Azalia
Holton sat absorbed In thought. She
knew Bryant Churchill only as she re-
called his features on richly toned
autographed music sheets. He was a
composer,
The homestead Of Jonathan Holton
adjoined the magnificent estate Of the
Churchills. from the time Of whose de-
cease he had exercised an oversight
Of the premises which was a sympa-
tketic contribution more than anything
else.
The next day Asalia started out for
her usual after-dinner ramble through
the fragrant fields and odorous groves,
ond had not gone far when she stopped
at the sight Of freshly painted sign
boards that blazed on every walk and
gath:
"Private Grounds. Keep on"
She stood transfixed In her virgin
loneliness.
'What hateful protestation was
her first utterance when she had suffi-
GENTLY recovered her composure.
It took her but moment to realize
that on her first battlefield she was
helpless and defenseless. Like the
Flaming sword" of old seemed these
emblazoned monitors that urged her
back from the tree of life. She felt
that her problem was a. serious one.
After meditating, for some minutes she
finally decided she would interview the
new tenant. Her almost inherent right
would be a probable excuse.
As she advanced toward the house
her courage returned and she quickly
mounted the steps and gave the door a
vigorous blow. After several unsuc-
cessful attempts to arouse some one
she tried the door, which opened so
easily that Il gave her surprise. The
pleasant od6r that greeted her seemed
a part Of the. distinctive interior. The
place was, 50 beautiful that Azalia
walked about from room to room.
In delightful contrast to the plain
little organ In her home was the rich
grand piano Uttered with music copies
Now, Azalia's musical training Ind
not been neglected and it was only nat.
ural that her fingers should seek the
keys as she glanced at the music be.
fore her. Very soon she was playing
with her accustomed grace and skill
but in turning the pages Of the folio
an inner sheet was dislodged and fell
to the floor somewhere. She turned
about, only to discover that 1t was ir
the hands Of handsome young mar
in uniform.
II heard the music and came in tt
congratulate the musician. / am Bry
ant Churchill" He was returning tn
fallen music to the piano.
"Are you the-the-the coming
manr she faltered.
"The coming man." he repeated.
II mean. you are the new tenant
explained Azalia.
"Rather, the 'Once upon q time ter
ant. facing new conditions. You ar
-"
II "Azalia Holton," demurely.
"And now permit me to explain m
statement, which may have seemed t
you trifie obscure. This Is my oil
home and came here q week ago, bu
am leaving again tomorrow to do m
, bit for Uncle Sam, and then expet
to return for good"
Then together they sat talking an
, listening intently to one another unit
the twilight fell about them.
"Azalia," he was rejecting. Il hav
: little gem by that name.
!, He strobe to the piano. II Azalia ha
lost her heart In the grandeur an
| CuHEIu VI NuUICAA1AA AAl0LOA - qua SAJ 49,
been found by the artist-Owner befol
her, whose mastery execution WI
: only surpassed by his kind voice ar
= pleasing personality. He was the ca
sheaf Of all that had gone before.
a Abruptly he turned and was spea
q ing in lawyer fashion.
{ access to my property for TWEEN
y years gives your father almost an
1t violable right In 1t. But there Is q
le other who has greater lien upon II
Is He had risen and was looking avn
10 from her and did not see the cloud
disappointment that settled upon h
In face. She moved toward him q
" touched his arm consOlingly. "Cann
d. something be done7" an anxious 10
IN on her face. now uplifted.
tn Tier freshness, unseen by him In o.
ers, captivated him. With an indescr
AT able impulse he suddenly drew her II
d. his arms and kissed her. 1t might
Id the only one he could ever claim.
- -. pnA Nns 4