Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-07-15
DELIA'S HOME
BY CELIA ROSE.

'''''S i''Ilu success II
her Sh'rt business career, She WAS az
sehtlnlly domestic.
throughout her youth, Della ba,
b'ch hidden in II white house nmon,
the mis-, and perhaps because ne,
k.""'''o'"'r home was so Difficult,
ol aeceNS. possible lovers had not
io"ha ihrir way there; so Della lived
"hu doomed Ike "fuIl many IA flow,
er' unseen. But she had been happy
cooking, baking. coaxlng flowers 10
grow IN the old home garden,
win grnndnothcr's passing. all had
oe'll changed; the dilapidatcd place
SOFA 10 deiray expenses, and Della her.
SER, hurried dazedly off to the city
TO earn her livelihood. Unexpectedly
az" 'fro'lSh the means of small
original, Japanese tea room, she climb
ed rapidly to success.
NO one was more amazed than the
shy, yet reSourceful Della She won.
dered modes,ly, why the dainty WON
on who Hooked during the afternoon
hour to her pretty room, sang SO loud
~ me praises of tea cakes and GUS
t"rns mace from grandmothcrs rec
lpes; ana after the busy days, alone
In her plain room. Della vcarued visit
lulIy Tor the peaceful home life which
was gone, Then to her came n new
dream of home, which She began rcso-
lhteiy To make realization.
Each week she saved painstakingly
a part of her earnings toward that lit
Tie house which should some day be
hers' How She would continue its
support after it had been procured,
De'la was not sure; she had a vague
ldea or little house at the edge of
the road," which should be "a friend
to ALL"
III she were fortunate enough to find
just the right country road for her
nome, she hoped to continue Il sort
OF garden, tcaroom for automobiles.
She was surprised to learn what a
really nice little bungalow could he
hulIt for Il small sum, and when
bella learned, she began to plan hap.
PLY the furnishings of the big living.
room with its fireplace, its yellow silk
curtains and the yellow jars for flow
ers on its high window ledge.
Della wanted yellow as an illusion /
for sunlight-her present room above |
the city chimney tops was always 50 I
dinry. And when at last the dream .
promised to come true, Della read .
various real estate advertisements, (
with a view TO selecting her location.
There was one inviting advertise
ment, which promised automobile
rides to possible purchasers to anG
from the salnbIe places. The name
"Willowdale" sounded alluring.
Della donned her trim blue suit and
becoming hat ana started for the of
flee of "Willowd les" agent. He was
a courtcousIy agreeable man. ana worry
willing to drive Della out the five
miles to the advertised section,
The ride was pleasant through the
sweet June air, and WiIowtlale, when
renched. was charming The agent
became as enthusiastic as Della IL
helping with her plans, She had i'm.
mediate confidence in his advice and
he obligIngly drove her through rival
sections that she might form her own
conclusion of the superiority of Will
lowdnIc. He was heartily in favor of
the big living room, ANA he added the
suggestion of an amber globe for the
living-room table.
1t had been delightful day. Della,
her dingy room. was aston I
Ished rs she glanced In the mirror, at
the glow of her cheeks and eyes.
Excitement" she murmurcd, "but t
t makes me look--leSS plain"
Della had been educated by grand
mother In belief of her 'painncSs."
Perhaps that Is why the thought Of ,
4 husband had been omitted from her
dreams Of home.
The agent, John Webster, was in
crested Kindness. itself. His big fig
Ire doomed next day In the door of
he ten-room.
"Just thought you might Ike to
lave me take you over to see Burke. -
he builder" he said. 81 know him u
md" y
Della, donnlnC her hat, went with =
lin gratefully. Mr. Webster contin- "
led to be helpful, rs the dream Stl1ic- =,
IRE grew into n mnttcr-of- fact buiIu- /,
ne. set back just far enough from "
he trees of the roadside. II
She "would miss his automobile" -
he told him frankly, when it became
ecessary for her to travel by trolley q
lstcad.
Mr.. Webster made no reply, neither
Id he respond to her planning for the
N garden.
at will probably be too late to mr..
lncc for thHt, this year" Della re-
rctted.
With Il sudden pang it came to her
nat this companionship which she
nd taken as delightful accustomed
ling, would soon be hers no longer.
he wondered how it would be, to 90
! between the long rows of trees hi
onc--instead of like this-by his
de.
Wistfully she stole a glance at him.
ut John Webster's eyes met hers