The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-07-08
THE new TENANT
BY AIRLINE A. MACDONALD.


Jonathan Holton's lifted teacup de-
scended slowly into his saucer as he
looked up inquiringly.
"SoT' he answered. Its been closed
some twenty years now, Martha. /
shouldn't wonder IL young Churchill
was back TO open Ii. I'll take a run
over there tomorrow and investigated"
In the silence that followed. Azalia
Holton sat absorbed in thought. She
knew Bryant Churchill only as she re-
called his features on richly toned
autographed music sheets. He was a
composer.
The homestead of Jonathan Holton
adjoined the magnificent estate of the
Churchills, from the time Of whose de-
cease he had exercised an oversight
Of the premises which was a sympa-
tEetic contribution more than anything
else.
The next day Azalia started out for
her usual a~fter-dinner ramble through
the fragrant fields and odorous o
and had not gone far when she stopped
at the sight of freshly painted sign
boards that blazed on every walk and
rath:
Private Grounds. Keep or"
She stood transfixed in her virgin
loneliness.
what a hateful p~rotestation !" was
her first utterance when she had suffi-
GENTLY recovered her composure.
II fnnE har hftt a unapnAnf 80 raa1f1a
that on her first battlefield she was
helpless and defenseless. Like the
flaming sword" of old seemed these
emblazoned monitors that urged her
back from the tree of life. She felt
that her problem was a serious one.
After meditatlng for some minutes she
finally decided she would interview the
new tenant. Her almost inherent right
would be a probable excuse
AS she advanced toward the house
her courage returned and she quickly
mounted the steps and gave the cor a
vigorous blow. After several unsdc-
cessful attempts to arouse some one
she tried the door, which opened so
easily that IL gave her a surprise. The
pleasant odor that greeted her seemed
a part of the distinctive interior. The
place was so beautiful that Azalia
walked about from room to room.
In delightful contrast to the plain
little organ In her home was the rich
grand piano Uttered with music copies.
Now, Azalia's musical training had
not been neglected and ii was only nat
ural that her fingers should seek the
keys as she glanced at the music be-
fore her. Very % she was playing
with her accustomed grace and skill,
but in turning the pages of the folio
an inner sheet was d~islodged and fell
to the floor somewhere. she turned
about, only &c discover that IL was in
the hands of a handsome young man
in uniform.
81 heard the music and came in to
congratulate the musician. | am Bry-
ant Churchill" He was returning the
fallen music to the piano.
"Are you the-the-the coming
MANI" she faltered.
"The coming man." he repeated.
81 mean, you are the new tenant"
explained AZalia.
Rather, the once upon a time ten
ant, facing new conditions. You are
-"
"Azalia Holton," demurely.
"And now permit me to explain my
statement, which may have seemed to
you a trifle obscure. This is my old
home and l came here a week ago, but
/ am leaving again tomorrow to do my
bit for Uncle Sam, and then | expect
to return for good"
Then together they sat talking and
listening intently to one another until
the twilight fell about them.
"Azalla," he was rejecting. II have
a little gem by that name
He strobe to the piano. If Azalia had
lost her heart In the grandeur and
charm of Churchill manor 1t surely had
been found by the artist-owner before
her, whose mastery execution was
only surpassed by his kind voice and
| pleasing personality. He was the cap
sheaf of all that had gone before.
Abruptly he turned and was speak
ing in lawyer fashion.
Access to my property for twenty
years gives your father almost an in
violable right in 1t. But there is an
| other who has a greater lien upon It."
He had risen and was looking away
from her and did not see the cloud of
| disappointment that settled upon her
foan Sha mnya1 fnx~ard him and
touched his arm consolingly. Cannot
something be doneT' an anxious look
ON her face. now uplifted.
Tier freshness. unseen by him In 9TH
| ers, captivated him. With an indescrib-
able impulse he suddenly drew her into
his arms and kissed her. 1t might be
the only one he could ever claim.
'BryantP" she murmured, gently dis
engaging herself.