The Meeker herald., 1919-06-07
OFFENSIVE HOUSE
sy AGNES a. saooAM


busy city. were built its choicest
homes. Very exclusive indeed. was
that section named "Hilicrest." Here
NO house might be erected beneath a
certain large stated sum, and each resi-
dence must have its accompanying
number Of acres.
Hillcrest was proud Of its Haunted
wealth. and its select society. One
might ride along the perfect roads
without fear Of one displeasing sight,
in all its ideal appointments there was
but one Earring note-the farmhouse
at the top of the hill. In vain, petit
lions had been offered for Its removal.
in vain. influentials had sought Its
purchase-the offending house was not
for sale.
Miss Perkins. the obstinate owner,
had lived there since childhood and re-
fused to part from the home Of her
fathers.
"WiId hollyhocks poking their heads
over our stone WALL" complained Mrs.
Forrest. "giving one the appearance Of
having been planted ON this side. And
that woman's voice screechIng for
'June-Rose' at all times, it's madden
ing! What a ridiculous name for .
girl. helper or whatever she may be |"
ut Is her name," Miss Sylvia For
rest replied. "the delivery boy told my
maid that the girls proper name IL
Rose. and the first one, June! I wish
she would whisper to me the secret Of
her peaches and cream complexion"
my dear!" exclaimed her mother.
"cnn you not think Of some more inter
esting topic than the impossible people
next door,"
Miss Sylvia laughed. "well, yes"
she said. ''the great Beverly arrives
this afternoon, Douglas Beverly. the
lionized artist. The Schuylers are CIV
ing the first reception"
Mrs. Forests eyes were alight with
excitement. 1.-THE Beverlys are one Of
our Oldest families. my dear" she en-
Unused. Long before Hillcrest was
planned as a residence section. the
Beverly place was the finest one In
town. Douglas went abroad when you
were 4 little girl. believe his mother
has been ambitious for a daughter.in-
law from the British aristocracy. but
Douglas comes home free and famous."
Mrs. Forrest paused. "You are ex-
ceedinsiy attractive Sylvia" she said
susxestively.
80 are many Hillcrest girls" that
young woman added. Douglas Bever-
~ later came to form the same opinion.
So absorbed was he in contempla-
ton Of the prodigal old-fashioned
flowers. that the offensive house escap-
ed his notice; and when he did regard
the quaint white building with green
suffered doors. It was a. q charmed
background. to his new hastily planned
picture-''The Old Home Garden"
Then. like the spirit Of the garden.
June-Rose with her soft pink cheeks,
and her pink cambria dress, appeared
before him.
When he was sure that the girl was
not part of his imaginary brain pic
ture. the artist advanced. II would
like to ask permission to make a sketch
Of your home" he said. ito be permit
ted to make study Of these wondrous
howcr-colors.-"
II will take you to my aunt" June
Rose replied. and she led the way
through the green shattered door.
"Your great Beverly like other men
Of genius Ia spoiled" Mrs. Forrest
complained to her daughter. EMO ono
seems to have found the royal path to
his favor. He Ignores Invitations: Is
be busyf'
Miss Sylvia curied her lip. "why
haven't you heardf He spends his
waking hours. sketching that disrepu-
table old house next door. the girl
June.Rose. usually lowering In the
background. Madame Beverly is fran
tic. and his father 10 trying to persuade
Douglas to take another world tour.
Can you imagine what 1t would mean.
in their standing. II Douglas should
take It into his head to marry that mo-
bodyf The very house has been an
eye-sore to them all along, but this
penniless girl. who. Of course. is play
ing the artist to win q fortune"
Mrs. Forrest raised her hands IN
horrors, then she laughed sharply.
SWELL" she said, 'those Beverlys
have been looking down on the rest Of
n all our lives and II It should hap
pen. but It WON'T" she ended decided.
~, "the thing IL impossible"
At this moment the artist was bend.
ing rapturously over the radiant face
Of June-Rose. ut was in Just such a
fragrant peaceful setting. that Ind
always hoped to find my princess" he
told her. And June-Rose smiled.
1T was Just such q wonderful prince
a. you, whom dreamed would come
sailing across the sea to claim me-"
she said. And publicly the next eve.
ming their betrothal notice appeared
In the paper.
Mrs. Forrest gasped. '1flss Per
kins." she read, announces the en-
gagement Of her niece June-Rose, to
i nos,zlaa RnxaslxM Q,,,llia. ~.i..i.