The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-05-10
THE LITTLE HOUSE
BY JACK LAYTON.

the miles he would have TO walk in or
der to dine at his boarding place in
the village below. When his work Of
road construction should be in prog
ress he would have to consider some
means of transition; the present state
Of the land made this difficult.
Like white square on the hillside
stood a cottage; he remembered hay-
ing passed it on his upward way. What
a strange, detached home it must be,
far from neighboring habitation. Per-
haps it might be possible to procure
a light luncheon there. The door,
when he reached the house, stood
open, disclosing to the farthest corner
one wide room, II was a remarkable
room for an humble country cottage.
While the floor was scrubbed guiitless
Of varnish, the walls were lined with
shelves of books.
A pictorial calendar. with a verse
for each day, drew his attention; Gu.
riously. the verses We're printed in Ger.
man. Upon the window seat, among
its artistic cushions, were scattered
various maps and drawings.
Then between two bookcases opened
what he had fancied to be an outer
door, and a girl appeared from the in
terror. A glorious creature she was,
small, yet with an unmistakable air
of dignity
II am a civil ngineer-Richard FL
lis" he explained; 1--WE are going 10
put through a road. My boarding
place in the village seemed too far
away at dinner time. and l hoped to
get q glass of milk and some bread at
a farmhouse. but" he smiled engag-
ingly. 81 find this Is decidedly not
farmhouse"
The girl gravely considered. "Still,"
she said, Eve may be able to provide
you with a cup Of coffee" She moved
indifferently toward the prepared Ia
BILE. snake yourself at home" she
invited.
In strange diffidence, the usually
confident engineer obeyed When, with
her regal air the girl had prepared his
coffee, she went out into the porch.
It was all pleasantly mysterious. Ell
| lis enjoyed the perfect salad, and Won
dered who the deuce his queenly
hostess might be. The matter Of re-
/ enumeration troubled him; he could I'M
agine her scorn at the suggestion of
payment. Yet he felt like an inter-
loper calmly partaking of her food.
The girl promptly relieved him on
this score. 81 asked you to stay" she
said, as he appeared upon the porch,
Gin order TO gain information about the
new road. Please explain to me con-
cisely, just how and where it is go
ing"
The engineer stared In establishment.
Her question had the sound of a com
mand.
at is not customary" he began
hesitatingly, and for the first tiar the
girl laughed.
"No?" she questioned, as steadily
she faced him. "Then, Mr.. Ellis, en-
gineer." she challenged, "stop in again,
say tomorrow, and you shall see your
wonderful plans, as they are not now.
but as they win he when completed"
81 do not understand you" Ellis re-
peated slowly. With strange reluc-
lance he turned to depart.
The girl pointed TO the village below.
"Down there" she said, mockingly
'they will tell you all about me-"
1t was impossible to concentrate
upon the duty of the afternoon because
of her haunting personality.
"Nho lives thereT" he asked OF
Sammie, associate engineer.
''The lady of mystery" Sammie an
swered. "Why, haven't you heard
She comes galloping into town on g
black horse, with great dog in tow
They have ii figured out here that shes
in the employ of the German govern
ment, mapping out the country and al
that. Look out for the black eyes
Dickie, or she'll have yoU hypnOtized.'
To Richards memory came quickly
the girls boosted knowledge Of hi
work, her own avowal that she haC
entertained him in order to gain infor
nation.
II came" he greeted. ''tO have yol
fulfil your promise concerning my out
line of work.
In her own pretty, serious way, tn,
girl bowed, and placed In his hands tn,
completed blueprint map Of the road.
''But, how?" he asked perplexedly.
Again the girl laughed, and droppini
her manner of reserve, seated hersel
on the step at his side.
"What am now" she asked naively
"a defaulter in hiding. a Germa
spy. or just disappointed in love
They have had me all three at the VII
lage."
Ellis gazed tensely into the blacl
eyes. ''What are your" he asked
'fThat is what l wanted TO know my
self"
II shall only diSappOint you" IN