The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-10-25
THE FREAK HOUSES
BY JACK LAYTON.

NNAVAS lOuoC ocb DuSh Oh q AOAAhh6
lawn TO read again the address on
paper she carried. Yes, this was un-
doubtedly the place she sought. "a
freak house." the employment agent
had called it, 'bullt in imitation Of
an old thatched cottage in Ireland"
"These singers are mostly freaks
themselves" the agent added, "even
| II they do have lots of money"
The woman smiled as she gazed at
the house and wIstful, eager light
came into her eyes. The freak house
was good imitation upon spacious
lines. The low, dropping roof over "A
rear fower-framed doorway brought
back poignantly memory of her own
girlhood. In such a doorway She had
stood, looking down the long road,
over which at evening her handsome
lover lad had been wont to come. She
remembered the musical lit of his
voice as he praised the "soft blue eyes
of her." or touched adoringly the rose
Of her young cheeks.
"They are wild Irish roses, Nance"
her lover would say. Mans roses had
faded long ago to faint pink shadows
of what they had been. The wonder
land of America where she had come
so hopefully failed to bring fuliillment
Of her dreams. Nance had pictured
easy independence here as she closed
forever the door of the matched cot
tage upon her desolated home.
The laughing Irish lover lad had
long gone on his fortune-seeking way.
Nance lost her buoyant health in
the great city, as years had taken her
youths freshness. Work suitable to
her strength was hard to find, but
somehow she managed, and her bright
spirit lived through all the broken
dreams.
Last evening the advertisement had
caught her eye; she had been sewing
in a hot city room, and the promise
of country air and green fields was
sufficient to form her decision. She
would answer in person the advertise
ment.
But as she stood there seemed no
need for hurry in this peaceful
scene. She passed to the rear flower
framed door and raised a wooden
&nocker. 1t was a uniformed maid
who led her into the comfortable room
of the resigning housekeeper. That
person, after one keen glance, sighed
relievedly.
"At last" she said, 'I see my way
clear to go. You have the appearance
Of capability. Intelligent help is al
most impossible to find these days,
especially in this lonely spot. It's all
right for the great folks who go and
come from the city. For servants the
situation is not inviting. Your diff
Guilty will be in keeping cooks and
finding maids. However, that's up to
you. Mr.. O'Nei1 is away from home
so much on his singing tours that you
will probably be able to manage-at
least while he's here"
Nance put out an interrupting hand.
This is Mr.. dNeils homer she
asked unbelievingly. mot Larry
O'Neil, the Irish tenorY
The housekeeper nodded.
"Dldn't you know?" she asked. "Ev-
erybody hereabouts has heard Of his
early Irish home and how when he
made his money he tried to initiate
the matched cottage as well as could
be done in grand style, His old
mother lived with him here till she
died, Mr.. O'Neil is fine man and a
home-loving one too, though none OF
those idolizing women have tempted
him to give up his- bachelorhood. He's
home now, as 1t happens, an has been
troubled about my going. He relies
upon me a great deal. But my people
need me now. VIII you let me see
your reference, Mrs."
Miss" corrected>Nnnce. I'm Miss
Nance Dawn l have no reference as
housekeepor, only as to character.
hoped if you'd be willing to try tmt
for n few days
nm afraid I'll be forced to- the
housekeeper said dublously, 'iftI wish
to get away"
She was efficient In her new work
the departing housekeeper with sat
isfaction discovered this fact before
the second day Of trial was over. Tho
singers especial sanctum took on nj
inexplicable air Of homeness lIpol
that second evening. His cigar stant
was Just where 1t should be, ana nr
Irish ballad lay upon his plano. Idly
he sat and played 1t through, th'
lampllght glinting his silvering hair
'When I dream of old Ireland" ht
sang, I'm dreaming Of you"
A voman stood behind him when ht
turllyd little woman In sprlgget
lavender dress. She was holdins
toward him respectfully n tray witt
cup Of coffee on 1t. But Larr,
5'NcIl jumped unbellevlngly to hl'
Ieet
"Nance," he cried, "Nance, dear
after all these years" And wheI
ater the great singer and the happ!
Noman sat hand clasped In hand th'
woman smiled with the old shynes'
he remembered so we'll.
"And so, Larry" she said, Il decld
ID not to be drag upon you whel
ron were finding yodr wonderful