American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-02-28
"a Change of
Boarding Places
~
By 6. q.

Neu DUHCuH, blTolliuB hiobB Hu'NN'
paim-bordered Marvin street, In the
cool dusk, made himself smile AT the
elf that dragged on his long fine hands,
but he turned back before they reached
the corner pnx which was the rented
cottage Of ceS1n Reeves the woman
he loved.
Cecilia, a young mllliner who took
four college-girl to help out
on her income, bent her yellow head
lower over her heliotrope bed MS she
caught sight Of his retreat. She had
meant to give them some flowers when
they passed. She knew he loved the
heliotrope. Had she offended hlm7 she
wondered.
While she puzzled, with n hurt heart,
Driscoll was saying to himself Il must
keep awny--I must not see her any
more. The woman ] marry must love
my child-she must love my little
Babs I"
In the fourth year OF Barbara's life
with him, the baby with the rOguIsh
black eyes had come to them. Then the
next year Barbara died, and the baby,
an eltish. whimsical, lovable thing, had
tumbled up somehow, under his widow
cred care, and three years OF his old
cousins somewhat grumpy housekeep-
ing and nursing.
Then the old cousin had remarked,
and he had shut up the bungalow with
Its crown of purple blossom-covered
bougainvlllen, and he and the child had
boarded since then, somewhat 10
Bnbs' disadvantage. he thought some
times. Then he had fallen 10 love with
Cecilia Reeves,
He had thought she was the "mother
kind" OF girl (Babs loved her) until
lately. Since the evening before, he
was certain she was not. Then he had
decided he couldn't ask her to marry
him. Not that he was certain she
would marry him II he did ask her,
hut he couldn't, anyway.
His landlady OF the last month had
been Miss Reeves friend until Driscoll
and little Barbara came TO her board
ing house, and II occurred to her that
her quiet boarder, who had something
to do with the management of the city
waterworks system, would be an Ideal
second husband. Then after the eve
ming Cecilia came to take dinner with
her and her prize bonrder" walked
home with her. Mrs. Akers wns no
longer Cecll's friend.
Somehow In the last week she had
made the impression on Driscoll that
Cecil didn't like children. He had come
home a little earlier than usual the
evening before and started to the
kitchen.
IL wonder Ned keeps that child
since his wife died ana he has no one
10 care for her" he heard Cecll's soft
clear voice. II am going to try to per-
suade him to let me find n place. for
her 10 a homer
Driscoil felt Ms though something
had struck him, He turned and went
upstairs. She-she didn't want him to
keep little Babs-she cared so little
for his bnby she would persuade him
to send her TO a homei
The child dropped the doll Mrs,
Akers had bought her that dry and
prang into his arms. lie kissed the
eager little face over and over,
Viii StNhklii-N 1Vh thiilh hhhi
you could persuade me TO do n con.
scieneeless thing like thatT" he thought
ms Babs ran downstairs to tell Mrs
Akers ''favver" had come.
Mrs. Akers was already aware OF
the fact. She had heard his step II
the back hall she knew he had hear,
Cecil's last remark.
"Was Miss Reeves here Just nov
when ! came inr Drlscoll asked a
dinner. ~ thought heard her voice.
Mrs. Akers' red lips flashed a smile
"oh. you eayesdropperl | hope ",
weren't saying anything bad, oh, yes
we-CecIl was saying something abou
Babs. wasn't shef"
AS Drlscoll lifted the child to he
chair Mrs. Akers, noting his set Hips
felt that she had scored. Who was I
tell him that Cecilia had been speakin
of old Ned Mount. u destitute crlppl
who persisted in keeping his tiny OF
phaned grandchlld In dirt and sQualor
Not shell
That evening when the little XII
slept Drlscoll got out that other BaI
bara's picture, a thing he did not ofte
do-much as he had loved her-sinc
he had come 10 love Cecilia.
1.-THE house of the heart has man
chambers. Barbara. dear" he said
the picture, "and | wanted to put tn,
other girl In the one alongside the on
In which you stay, but oh. Barbara
Barbara-i love herl But che doesn
love the child dnren't ask her
eome. Barbara I"
The evening after she saw Drlsco
turn away from her gate, Cecilia wei
TO the theater with Luclen Glover.
faithful admirer whom she particula
ly detested, and sat near DriscolL
Driseell. moody and unhappy. pr
tended interest In the play, but he ha
but one thought. Glover had no rigl
TO buy her her fayortte Richmond ros,
he himself had dene that SO long
Two weeks later came the day OF n
animal rose "a rntvnl IItfla Rahe uI