Gilpin observer., 1920-06-10
MARY'S HOME
BY LYDIA L. ROBERTS.
5. 1890. BY Mcclure Newspaper synd,ca,..)

ter with him lately. He is getting more
silent and sober every day"
Marys brown eyes watched wistful-
ly as a big, blue-eyed, straight-shoul-
dered young man approached the
house.
"Sprlng again." she sighed. II
thought surely by this spring | would
be nest-bulding. John is earning
enough now and / am so tired of the
long days in the office, when am just
aching to be planting a rosebush by
my own door.
The bell rang and Mary hurried
downstairs and opened the door. She
looked so dainty and shining as she
smiled up at him that bashful John
Blake's heart almost chOked him.
"He looks so kind and good" thought
Mary, who had battled for her living
since a child.
'She looks fit to be princess"
thought John, who felt nothing was
quite good enough, himself included,
to offer the exquisite girl before him.
"Shall we walk on the avenue?"
asked John.
"Very WE'LL" quietly agreed Mary.
Suddenly John stopped before
large gray stone house, set in spa
cious lawns and surrounded by an iron
fence.
There house good enough for
anyone" he said, sOberly, "but it would
take years to get money enough for II
house like that" and he sighed. do
you like it, Mary?" he. asked anX-
iOusly.
II think 1t is handsome" said Mary,
| admiringly. ut must be wonderful to
live in house like that"
She looked up at John, eager to
please him, and bring back the con-
tented smile to his. eyes. Instead of
smiling in return, he stared at her
gloOmily and said: II knew you would
like it, and it is just the kind of Il
house you ought to have"
Surprised at the detection of his
tone, Mary looked at him earnestly
and noted the troubled eyes and wor-
ried lines on his forehead. A sudden
thought came to her, and she replied
thoughtfully:
Les. IL Is Uut WHul WOuIu
little thing like me be doing in n
big mansion like that? Sure, I'D be
lost in it, and it's not my idea of IL
home. I'd rather have little gray cot
tage at the edge of the woods than this
pile of prosperity on Rich Mans ave
nue." and she laughed gaily.
John shook his head dOubtfully, and
before he could speak she continued:
do let us go over in the old part
of the town for l feel SO dreadfully
out of place here. There are some
pretty places on Willow street near
the river, and the moon looks wonder
full over there"
A pink color flushed her cheeks, and
her eyes were bright with happy spar
Kles.
From the old street they sauntered
past little white cottages and big gar
dens, past green fields and woody
spaces until they saw the moon smil-
ing over the river in the distance.
"Oh, here is the old Dean place, and
it's for sale," exclaimed Mary In APP
parent surprise. do you know,
think that Is great bargain for some
lucky persOn?"
II don't KNOW" said John, doubtful
ly. yet looking with interest at the
little gray house with its big piazza,
its many windows and tiny orchard in
the rear.
'See how 1t nestles into the ground"
smiled Mary. 'Isn't 1t dear little
house?"
ITS quite old, and needs repairing"
said John pesslmistically, but his eyes
eagerly took in the coZy look of the
place and his intent face showed he
sensed its possibilities.
"Oh, yes, of course" agreed Mary.
practically, but handy man with n
little spare time would easily repair
1t. l can just see 1t with ruffled cur
tains at the windows and flower beds
along the walk, with hammock
swinging on the piazza and big chair
near by. 1t would be profitable, too,
for there's plenty of fruit and n nice
place for hens. Well, suppose some
lucky couple will buy It," she ended
with sigh as she turned away and
studied the moon.
Johns face was alight as he stood
staring at the little gray house, and
his eyes We're bright ana eager. He
squared his shoulders and drew Mary
up to the steps as he said quickly:
Have you seen the rooms? Is 1t
llvabe inside?"
"ies, l went over It with my cousin
while ago." said Mary, indlfrerently,
after glance at his face. ut needs
only some paper and paint, and the
rooms are small and sunny, and do not
need much furniture. 1t faces the
river, doesn't it?' she said, dreamily.
How pretty II must look on summer
nirht Avhnn tho Inonn ic abI.,I,.. .,,,.l