The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-10

cal lie from Mr.. Benjamin Smiles, real
estate agent. Elsie grew nervous, then
sought Mr.. Sunless little office.
The young mano welcomed her
eagerly.
i've had several prospects to look
at the house." he declared, but
well-I didn't like to bring them
seem near the deciding point. OF
course 1 could bring lot of people
around to discuss a deal, but, you
know, it's a bit hard just at this sea-
soil to bring a prospect to the decid-
ing point"
Elsie's f1ce showed her disappoint-
merit
But I'll keep on trying" added
Smiles, ckeeriiy.
I think you might as we'll bring
them around to see me-" she remark
&c. L wort stick for a few dollars"
Thereafter Mr.. Benjamin Smiles,
accompanied by real estate pros
poets YVES a cheer tho apologize
caller OF Miss Elsie Newton at almost
all hours of the day. Its SO Horribly
nara TO induce man nowadays to
come right to the buying point" he
declared, time and again. They
want new house at a bargain price,
and-you know-this cottage is COM
Portable and commodious, but just a
bit 'd-fashioned-''
Linz fdlFlcla, put IN Miss
Newton. radiantly No / don't mind,
even If they aren't buying. 1 think it's
an education to talk things over with
people and get their views
She watched Mr.. Smiles as he van
Ished down the street, accompanied
by the hard-headed retired farmer
who had offered her $1,SOO-"and not
one cent more" But-she recollected
herself with "a start months had
gone, and the dubious tenants she had
let in showed no indications of paying
the second months rent or the bal
ance OF the first, and, to all appear
ances, there was no chance of a sale.
When she judged Mr.. Smiles had
reached his office again she. tele-
phoned. Her tone was disappointed
I've worked like a trooper" he
declared, ''but-these old fashioned
houses-weil, you Know
For three days he failed to visit her
Then she called at his office, surging
with indignation at his neglect Of her
interests. She began to tell him what
she thought Then she hesitated.
Miss Newton" he said, quietly, 81
have a buyer for your cottage"
Her soul was on it's knees to him in
humble apology. While she had been
mentally reproaching him for neglect,
he had been really accomplishing
things.
For s2,5o0-the price you named"
he added. But by the way-the pur-
chase is conditional"
"Condition-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. Hes
a young fellow, and-he's thinking of
getting married. but-he's not quite
sure. Not quite sure. If he gets mar
ried. he'll buy the house."
| Elsie pondered.
BY all means, you must encourage
| him." she returned "Stiffen up his
| courage to the marrying point. 1 sup
pose he's afraid of the expense. Tell
| him two can live cheaper than one
or as cheap, anyway. and
| The trouble is, he hasn't asked the
young lady. He is very doubtful as to
| her feelings. And it occurred to me
that perhaps you could-in a diplo-
matte way. you know" J.
| Find out?" questioned Elsie.
sharply.
Mr. Smiles nodded.
'I'1l be very much pleased to do
anything that will hasten a sale" she
returned practically. and who is the
young man."
Mr.. Smiles bowed. She stared at
| him.
Mr.. Benjamin Smiles. he added, in
explanation.
| Her lip qu!vered.
| Tin afraid she protested
| bidAhiS- IL IL just liAS SoAiiS ~ VI
| I'd PREFER
Then she slammed out into the cor
| ridor and went blindiy down the mar
row stairs. At home she sat a long
time with herself, wondering Gully just
what it all meant to her. If only Aunt
| Patricia had never willed her that ac-
| cursed house.
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'll dc
| what you ask -because-because /
promised She paused tragically,
glad that he could not see the dab
bling of her handkerchief. "Who-who
is the-the LADY,"
| Miss Elsie Newton"
| But, honestly. L meant it," declar-
| ed Mr.. Smiles, when he called, twenty
| minutes later. Il intend to buy the
house. You shall have the purchase
price, for pin money if you wish or to
start a fortune if you prefer. I've
done pretty well here, you know. I've
been up and down the city and seen all
sort of houses and Aunt Patricia's cot
tage beats them alias an investment
as a home-and-"
LAS a matrimonial agent"
Elsie joyously resorted to the hand
kerchief
| lEA1Hkn ADDACI