Gilpin observer., 1920-04-22
FRANKLIN
COMES TO THE
RESCUE
By LILLY WANDEL

you did have the opportunity" ven-
tured the caller attempting to comfort.
How do l know when never could
find out?" asked Sophrania passionate
". ''I'm tied down to the big old
house and | long to sell 1t and go to
the city in convenient little apart
ment and-livev"
You should have married long ago.
There's nothing like four youngsters
and an eXacting husband to keep one
contented"-Mrs. Cooke thought of her
own. ~ often wondered why you did
not marry Ed Wallis after going to-
gether so long, and he was so suitable.
too"
Sophrania's eyes grew steely. Not
if he were the last man on earth! We
could not agree. Jessie, and it was all
about this house. Ed actually thought
we could live here, that would be
satisfied to go right on in the same old
rut told him I wanted to move to
the city in an apartment. l found out
how stubborn he was. how selfish p
"But rents are very high in the city.
So you should be glad that you have
this nice, rOomy, comfortable place"
Comfortable fairly shrieked So
phrania. "Yes, comfortable to you be-
cause you didn't have to climb those
ladderlike stairs, nor bump your head
every time you go down the cellar to
tend that crazy furnace that does not
heat the house no matter what you do
to it Nor have you ever washed
dishes three times day at that back
breaking sink, nor have you done the
distance from the kitchen to the front
door thirty-eleven times day. nor
had to carry lamps around-no gas
here nor electricity-nor houseclean
these high-ceilinged rooms, nor that
shed filed with all sorts of junk
Look at this big kitchen to scrub and
that immense stove to polish!"
Franklin seems to like it." smiled
Mrs. Cooke, nodding toward big
puffed-out pussy purring her loudest
before the warm range 81 must go
now, So. Maybe this house does tie
you down, living here all alone as you
do, but it's a pretty, cool place in the
summer with the big lawn"
"Yes," answered Sophranla bitterly
you've never moved that lawn. I'd
enjoy city park better"
A few days later Sophrania had a
surprise. Ed Wallis. her old sweet
heart, called. He had not been to see
her for nearly two years and when So
phrania saw his round, genial face in
the doorway something warmed her
heart and made her feel young with
happiness.
Come In, Ed" she said almost ten
derly.
"Thnnk you, So; i won't keep you
but few minutes" he answered in a
brisk, matter-of-fact voice. "Fve come
on business. just business" he empha-
sized.
The warm, happy feeling vanished
7nd she felt tired and chilly. 1t took
quite an effort to ask politely, "What
is it?"
II happened to hear that you would
like to sell your house, and you know
always rather liked the place. and as
/ am looking for home" (here Ed
flushed and pretended to stroke Frank
Inns sleek back), "why, er-I thought
I'd drop in and ask you what you
would want for the place."
Sophrania considered for a moment
and then named the sum.
THAT suits me. So suppose YOU
come over to Mr.. Halls tomorrow and
we'll fix up the deed and settle It.
There's just one thing (rising); could
you vacate in two weeks?"
She looked at him in surprise. How
businesslike, almost curt, he was, as
though he were stranger. "Yes," she
answered, 'T'll be out in two weeks"
After Ed left SOphrania ran around
to Mrs. Cookies and told her the news.
Il wonder If he intends to rent that
old-fashioned place" she asked, limo
Gently.
~ hate to tell you so. but Ed told
my husband that he's going to get
married very soon. don't know who
the girl is, unless it's that pretty
school teacher that lives at his board
ing hOuse-he's been walking home
from church with her real often"
For the next three days Sophrania
took the early train to the city and re-
turned at dusk very tired, footsore
and disappointed. 1t surprised her that
suitable apartment was so very diff
licult to locate, that rents were beyond
her means and the rooms so very small
and often dark. She had told the real
estate agent to hold certain little
apartment for her; she would let him
know positively by the next day ut
noon.
II was somewhat on the outskirts of
the city, two rooms and kitchenette.
all to the rear. with view of hun
dreds Of pulley lines. II was the best
she could get for the money and she
was sure that on the morrow she
would rent II. She would have to de-