The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-13
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Wanted-A Bungalow.
BY Il. LOUIS RAYsoLo.

BY H. LOUIS RAYRoLp.
Copyright, 1920, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
ssTH1s is our first quarrel" said
Jack, gloomily.
Il would hardly call 1t that
returned Sally, in dulcet tones, whose
very sweetness was more apt to
kindle than turn away wrath; rather
a disagreement. You say that the only
way to find place to rent Is through
agents, while l maintain that the best
method is to look around oneself. :"
We'll, apparently neither way is
likely to get US very far when there
isn't q place vacant within a ten-mile
radius OF town." declared Jack in dis
gust. at sure looks as II we would
have to begin married life in that
abomination of denominations, board
ing house."
81 say, Jack, let's make one more
try. You go to every last agent, art,
l will look out through the suburbs.
Come ever tonight and we'n compare
notes." Sally really didn't want TO
quarrel during these very last days
of being engaged, but Jack was so
pig-headed when once he got an idea
in his hind!
"Al rs4., dear" agreed Jack, run
ming down the steps as his car ap
peared in the distance. He had stop
ped in on his way to the office. "I'll
bet my system will find us a habita-
ton" 1t would never do to let a
mere woman, even the very best one
in the world, put 1t all over him when
1t came to question Of carrying a
thing through. He mentally registered
a resolution to worry every real estate
agent in Wrentham until In sheer de-
operation one handed over the keys OF
desirable rent.
Sally herself barely saw Jack
aboard his car to wave him a last fare
well before she set forth on regular
house hunt, with succeed-or- perish
expression on her pretty face.
1t was quite sadly true that houses
! to rent IN Wrentham were decidedly
at premium. Sally and Jack had
been searching for weeks now, the
very date Of their wedding hanging
fire until a home was secured into
which to go on their return from the
honeymoon. No wonder that both had
become slightly rasped by the situa-
ton and bit inclined to take It out
on each other.
Sally, swinging along, let her
thoughts wander to the Joy It would
be actually 10 find a place and to be
able to plan for its occupancy. In her
minds eye she saw herself measur.
ing for curtains and rugs or apprais-
ing bare rooms with a view to the
purchase Of furniture most suited to
fill their emptiness.
| Lost in this pleasant meditation
Sally noticed a suburban car slowing
up to let of passenger. On the spur
OF the moment she stepped aboard
Thinking that she would go on to Hill
view Terrace, Sally sat idly looking
out on the green fields and occasional
/ pretty shingled cottages she was
passing.
Suddenly she started. There was
some sort OF sign or other on a house
she had Just gone by. She jumped up
and signalled to the conductor. When
! the car finally stopped, II. had carried
her some distance beyond, and as She
walked back she reflected hcynicallJ
have the sign say For sale" instead
Of For Rent" liiF2s
However, before she could read tn.
sign she was able to see that the cot
tage was a perfect darling" Small
enough for two people to start in, Il
yet had an air of individuality and
charm all Its own. Gray shingled ans
low rooted, It nestled into the land
scape as il It belonged there.
A few young trees set out promise,
future shade; a pocket handkerchief
of lawn was compensated for in back
by spacious garden plot.
Breaking rudely into these slightly
premature dreams, the sign thrust IT.
self upon Sally's view. Tackled to the
veranda railing, Fresh Paint" II
read. NJ
At that moment, young, trimly
dressed woman opened the door OF the
cottage to place a letter In the mai
box. Seeing Sally, who stood cycling
the house almost vindictively. she
hesitated.
Sally, in despair, broke forth: I"
don't suppose you could tell me o.
any place around here for rent?"
WHY, that's funny" said the Other
slowly, I'VE decided last night to rem
this place. We had been fixing It III
to sell, fresh paint, and all, but nov
we think wen rent. My husband wa.
going to the agent this morning t
put 1t in his hands"
well. you don't know how glad
ami" cried Sally fervently. THAT is
II you will rent 1t to mel"
The woman looked doubtful, but
only for minute. 81 don't know VIII!
not" she said. 'tI'm sure the agen
hasn't had time to do anything will
1t yet"
A few minutes later Sally stooc
waiting for her car. Ir her bag was
very precious document, receipt TO
.. $40, half of the first months rent, t
bind the bargain.
That evening Sally waited for Jacl
3 with great elation, mingled with {
very tiny bit OF apprehension. He
: method had worked, she. actually ha,
found a place. and it was Just the sor
: of home Jack would like. But-anl
? herein lay her qualms-would Jacl
: think she should have waited and con
suited him? She hadn't dared do that
3 Even to take refusal would hav
been risky with the place already Il
the hands of an agent.
Fully ten minutes ahead of his US
ual time, Jacks quick step soundel
ION fha varonda Eynfaripn bn uY,aNch