Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-11-19
PINECROFT
BY ELIZABETH McoANN.
900 ooonononon oc

worn office chair YEARLY but with
satisfaction mentally reviewing the
happenings of the prosperous day.
Then he swung open the door of the
heavy safe and drew out a single pa.
per, which he carefully placed in his
vest pocket. He locked the office door
cheerfully and boarded crowded
street car.
Almost before he knew 1t the noisy
hum of the busy city was replaced
by beautiful fields and country homes.
He watched the road ahead expectant-
ly for an accustomed sight, and when
he saw 1t a pleasant smile spread
over his face. 1t was a little, curly
haired boy sitting on the curbstone,
with his chubby arm thrown around
the neck of a huge St Bernard.
The ear stopped with a jerk and he
sprang off. The impatient walters
rushed to meet him. nearly throwing
him over In their enthusiasm, and a
small voice cried happily, Daddy"
Hello, Sonny" he greeted, swing
ing the little boy up on his shoulder,
''now for our home. Are you ready2"
Pinecroft, located at the top Of the
hill, was a beautiful old colonial house
which seemed to nestle down among
the towering pines which surrounded
It.
This was the home Of the Woods,
and their little boy, who was known
to everyone as sonny"
"Hello, mother" Sonny called joy
ously as he saw her waiting for them
at the gate. "here we are"
"Yes, little wife, here we are" an
other voice added, and a strong arm
slipped lovingly around a slender
=. list as the happy family entered
house.
After the pleasant meal Albert
slowly drew the paper from his vest
pocket and triumphantly passed it to
his wife.
1--WE are rich, Pauline" he spoke
quickly; "our stock sailed sky high
and | sold IT."
She scanned the document in Devil
derment, speechless with joy. But
finally she cried, ooh, Albert, how
fine! We are really rich at last! We
will move to the city at once and
sell Pinecroft!"
1t seemed too good to be true, and
yet the document lay before them
confirming every doubt
Albert spent all of his spare mo-
ments the following day "house hunt
ing" and returned home at night in
high spirits. No houses were to be
had, but he had by luck found a fash
ionable apartment. There was only
one thing that worried him-he knew
that Sonny could not take his dog.
In a few weeks they were ready to
vacate Pinecroft, and a "FOr Sale"
sign was already nailed on the house.
Sonny sat disconsolately on the front
steps with his dog.
The new home was well situated in
the city and beautifully furnished. The
Woods were Immediately invited into
all of the leading social activities and
entered into a busy world. No day
went by when they were not enter
tanned somewhere. It was not long
before they became smothered by a
whirl of dinner parties and theaters.
Often Sonny had to eat alone and be
put to bed by an unloveable maid. He
would softly cry himself to sleep, wish
ing for his old home and playfellow
Gradually Albert grew tired of the
constant hurrying to dinner parties,
GOD In, tah1
suit, and longed for a quiet evening
at home.
He did not know that Pauline was
tired, too, and longed for her old life.
The weeks quickly slipped by with
their busy routine. No one seemed to
have time now to bother very much
with Sonny.
But one morning he did not get up.
Pauline frantically phoned for the doc
tor and Albert came rushing home
from the office. The doctor stayed
long time and looked doubtful. CITY
life doesn't agree with him. he said
slowly. but perhaps"
Pauline and Albert rested their
hopes on the perhaps" as they sor-
rowfully watched over Sonny for the
next few weeks Now they wondered
if they had realized their real hap
piness too late.
Then one day the little boy opened
his eyes and whispered softly, moth
er, can we go home nOw?"
Pauline's eyes filed with tears and
her heart thumped rapidly, but some
how she managed to say firmly. Yes,
Sonny, as soon as you can GO"
a contented smile spread over the
pale face and as he settled down into
peaceful slumber he said softly
Jack"
Albert pulled his tired but thankful
wife away from the bedside, leaving
the nurse in charge Down the wide
stone steps they went out into the
clear night air. Pauline did not care
where he led her They wandered
silently along until they came to the