Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-06-11
Her House
-x44 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ;

eagerly arose ana passed uuWh liic
aisle of the car. onto the platform and
down the steps.
Beside the little station waited a
substantial looking horse attached to
a one-seated wagon. The girl ran ez-
citedly toward the horse and then
spied its owner, who was carrying her
trunk TO the wagon He was OF medi-
um height and spare frame. and his
kindly, blue eyes beamed their friend
liness at the girl.
ooh. Henry" she cried, II am so
glad to see you!" "You're welcome,
Nan, as usual Train was half an hour
be arriving on time" He helped her
into the wagon and the long drive
up the mountain was commenced.
Henry Harkins owned Il spacious
farm on the summit of Mt. Sargent.
About five years previously he and
his wife and daughter had taken into
their hearts as we'll as home a girl
from the distant city. who was broken
In health from overstudy. Now Nan.
ME Owens would not have considered
spending her months vacation each
summer at any place but Vernon.
On arrival at the house the new
conner was warmly welcomed. and
after the inviting supper was eaten
and the cows MIXED they all gathered
In the sitting room and talked OF
events which had occurred since their
last meeting.
The next morning Mrs. Harkins and
her daughter were deep in the mys-
teries OF churning. so Nan supplied
herself with sunbonnet and pail and
started out with the expressed pur-
pose of picking blackberries. Really
she wanted to look at cher house
Half way down the mountain on the
opposite side from that up which they
had driven the day before was an old
farmhouse which4 its owners had al.
lowed to fall into ruin. From II there
was q magnificent view of Picture
lake and its wooded shores at the foot
OF the mountain. Nan had often said
she hoped no one would realize the
beauty of the location until she had
eaved up enough money to buy it, and
during the summer she had spent
there she had grown to love the house
and feel that it was really hers,
She walked gayly across the mead
ows and through the Woodlot, hum
ming little song. and then stopped
In Gmazement Her house was occu-
pied, She moved slowly toward tho
old-fashioned gateposts and leaning
upon one gazed at the curtaincd win
dows with sad heart Suddenly Nan
was startled to hear deep voice be-
hind her ask. did you bring the
milk" aul turf I'd to see stalwart
and blnest ~eye she had ever Sc n.
The first glimpse OF her face Yin or
the sunbonnet caused him to realize
his mistabe. Her golden hair lay in
little curls on her white forehead, but
II was the large yalYety bnchness of
her eyes which made him apeechless.
Finally he stammered, Il beg yoar
pardon. ! am Lawrence Gardner and
had made an arrangement with Mir.
Harkins to deliver milk here"
Nan remembered that the Gardeners
had previously occupied the farm and
rumor had said that the present own
er did not care enough about the place
IL even come and see it. She liked his
manly appearance. however, and after
stating who she was she was led to
explain her attitude when he came
upon her. You see" she said. with
faint smile, you have destroyed my
air castle" Earnestly gazing at her
he inwardly resolved that II it lay in
his power the air castle should again
be builded, and on tirmer foundation
next time Aloud he said, The doc
tor said | needed change, which ae- /
counts for my being here. | am just /
beginning to appreciate his wisdom
Then as she turned to go he asked
Il he might accompany her to speak .
with Mr.. Iarkins about supplying but !
ter, and other necessities.
The months vacation went all too
quickly for Nan. Lawrence Gardner |
owned motor launch and canoe !
and the two young people became
daily companions. Sometimes Maud /
Harkins was with them, but more
often she was too busy at home.
At last her vacation was over, and
Nan wondered why she regretted it.
especially this summer. at is be- /
cause must leave without the com.
forting thought that my house is here !
waiting for me-" she said 70 Lawrence /
an hour later, sighting unconsciously /
and looking wistfully at the house, |
radiant In new white paint and cool
green blinds. and at the gravelled |
walk which led down to the lake, you
have made it so inviting" His face
expressed q sudden resolve, and turn
ing to her he said slowly, will you |!
accept the house as gift?" Accept |
the house," she echoed. bewldered. !
yes, with me thrown in for good |
measure. love you. dear will you
De my companion always?" She
oreathed quickly, the color in her
cheeks became a deeper pink, and |
then she said softly with twinkle in
her black eyes, Il do love the house."
Only the house, dear?" he whispered. |
No" in a low voice. And forNhim no
was far more satisfactory than yes
LOUISE BROWN.