The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-02-22
OFFENSIVE HOUSE.

sy AoMEs q. sRooAs.

(Copyrisht. 1913. WssssSn hswspApss uh'oa''
High on the bluff surrounding the
busy city. were built Its choicest
homes. Very exclusive indeed, was
that section named 'Hillcrest." Here
no house might be erected beneath .
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, infiuentials had sought its
purchase-the offending house was not
for sale.
Miss Perkins, the obstinate owner.
Ind lived there since childhood and re-
fused to part from the home OF her
fathers.
"wild hollyhocks poking their heads
over our stone WALL" complained Mrs.
Forrest, giving ore the appearance Of
having been planted on this side. And
that woman's voice screechlng tor
'June-R Rose at all times. it's madden
ing! What ridiculous name for
girl, helper or whatever she may bel"
at is her name." Miss Sylvia For
rest replied. "the delivery boy told my
maid that the girls proper name 10
Rose. and the first one, June! I wish
she would whisper to me the secret OF
her peaches and cream complexion"
"Afy denrw exclaimed her mother.
"can you not think Of some more inter
esting topic than the impossible people
next door?"
Miss Sylvia laughed. swell, 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 Hillcfest was
planned as a residence section. the
Beverly place was the finest one In
town. Douglas went abroad when you
were little girl. I believe his mother
has been ambitious for 4 daughter.ln.
law from the British aristocracy. but
Douglas comes home free and famous"
Mrs. Forrest paused. "You are ex-
ceedingly attractive Sylvia" she said
suggestively.
$50 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
shuttered doors. It was as . charmed
background. to his new hastily planned
plcture-.Ths 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, RI would
like to ask permission to make q sketch
Of your home" he said. ITO be permit.
ted to make a study Of these wondrous
hOwer-colOrs-"
II will take you to my aunt" June.
Rose replied. and she led the way
through the green shuttered door.
"Your great Beverly like other men
Of genius Is spoiled" Mrs. Forrest
complained to her daughter. "No one
seems to have found the royal path 10
his favor. He ignores Invitations: 10
he busy1" o..
Miss Sylvia curled her lip. "why
haven't you heardf He spends his
waking hours. sketching that disrepu.
table old house next door. the gin
June-Rose. usually lowering In the
background. Madame Beverly IL fran.
tic, and his father 10 trying to persuade
Douglas to take another world tour.
Can you imagine what It would mean.
in their standing. II Douglas should
take 1t into his head to marry that no.
bodyf The very house has been an
eyesore to. them all along. but this
penniless GIRL. who. Of course. il play.
ing the artist to win q fortune
Mrs. Forrest raised her hands ID
horrors, then she laughed sharply.
SWELL" she said. "thoss Beveriys
have been looking down on the rest ok
us 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 rNpturOusIy over the radiant face