The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1920-06-07
THE FREAK HOUSES
BY JACK LAYTON.

| paper she carried. 1es, this WdS TX
doubtedly the place she sought. -
freak house" the employment agent
had called it, built in imitation of
an old matched cottage in Ireland"
"These singers are mostly freaks
themselves" the agent added "even
if they do have lois of money"
The woman smiled as she gazed az
the house and wistful eager Light
came into her eyes. The freak house
was Il good imitation upon spacious
lines. The low, dropping roof over a
rear flow er-tramed doorway brought
back poignantly memory of her own
glrlhood. In such Il doorway she had
stood, looking down the long road,
over WHICH at evening her handsome
lover lad had been wont to come. She
remembered the musical Tilt of his
voice as lie praised the soft blue eyes
of her or touched adoringly the rose
If her young cheeks.
They are wild Irish roses Nance"
her lover would say. Mans roses had
faded long ago to faint pink shadows
Of what they had been The wonder
land of America where she had come
50 hopefully failed to bring fulfllment
of her dreams. Nance had pictured
easy independence here as she closed
forever the door of the matched cot
tage upon her desolated home.
The laughing Irish lover lad had
long gone on his fortune-seeking way.
Nance lost her buoyant health in
Tie great city, as years had taken her
youths freshness. Work suitable to
her strength was hard to find, but
somehow she managed, and her bright
spirit lived through ali The broken
dreams.
Last evening the advertisement had
caught her eye: she had been sewing
in a hot city room. and the promise
OF country air and green fields was
sufficient to form her decision. She
would answer in person the advertise.
ment
But as she stood there seemed no
need for hurry in this peaceful
scene. She passed to the rear flower.
framed door and raised wooden
bnocker 1t was uniformed maid
who led her into the comfortable room
Of the resigning housekeeper That
person, after one keen glance, Sighed
relieyedly.
"At last" she said. 81 see my way
clear to go. You have the appearance
of capability. Intelligent help is al
most impossible to find these days,
especially in this lonely spot. It's all
right for the great folks who go and
come from the city. For servants the
Guilty will be in keeping cooks and
finding maids. However. that's up TO
you. Mr.. O'Nel is away from home
so much on his singing tours that YOU
will probably be able to manage-at
least while he's here"
Nance put out an intewupting nanG
This is Mr.. O'Neil's homer" She
asked unbelievingly. Not Larry
O'Neil, the Irish tenOr?"
The housekeeper nodded.
ipluL YOU klDN size uShbu. I4N- |
erybody hereabouts has heard of his |
early Irish home and how when he
made his money he tried to initiate
the matched cottage as well as could !
be done in grand style. His Old /
mother lived with him here till she /
died. Mr.. O'Neil is fine man and a
one too though none Of |
those idolizing women have tempted |
him to give up his bachelorhood He's !
home now, as it happens, an has been /
troubled about my going. He relies /
upon me great deal. BUT my people
need me now. win you let me see
your reference, Mrs"
Miss" corrected Nance. I'm Mis-, |
only as to character
hoped if you'd. be willing to try ny
for few days.
I'm afraid III be forced to-" liz,
said obviously, "if l wisl
to get away"
She was efficient in her new work;
he departing housekeeper with sat
sfactiOn discovered this fact before
he second day of trial was over. The
singers especial sanctum took on an
neXplicable air of homeness upon
hat second evening Ills cigar stand
vas just where it should be, and an
irish ballad lay upon his piano. Idly
he sat and played il through the
ginning his s!lvering hair
when | dream of Old Ireland" he
sang, I'm dreaming of YOU"
\ woman stood behind him when he
urned. little woman in sprigged
aVender dress. She was holding
oward him respectfully tray wish
cup of coffee on it. BIT Larry
)'Nel jumped unbelievingly to his
eet.
Nance" he cried, "Nance, dear
lfter all these years ~ And when
AFTER the great singer and the happy
woman sat hand claspcd In hand the
woman smiled with the old shyuoss
le remembered so Well
And so, Larry she said, II decid.