The Press., 1920-01-22
HOME BEAUTIFUL
By FLORENCE KNOWLTON.

s$SsssSssSssssssssss>s>sssS | ,Copyrlgnt 1919, Mcclure Newspaper syn- dicate.)
 It was an hour for dreams, but Bar bara Earnings thoughts were more practical than romantic. i've just got to forget the cold, unsatisfactory fig ures and trust that the Lord will pro- vide," she remarked, putting out the light, and gazing wistfully through the window, across the field, to the row of lights along the shore and beyond. where the lighthouse was blinking one, 1 twO-one, two.
 When the great ancestral home had been left to her, the only living de- scendant of fine race of men and women, she had been alarmed almost into a panic by the prospect of being sole mistress of such an elephantine estate. Whatever could she do With a house of 50 rooms, quiet, spinster woman like herself? She sighed heavily. How she would have loved to fill every room with children, and a husband, nursery maids and all the paraphernalia of a real home! But alas! She was thirty-twO years old, and though not bad looking, yet so des- perately shy that the mere sight of a man caused her to hide her head like the ostrich, and her tongue became paralyzed completely.
 Her desire to do some mOthering overcame every obstacle, and she soon figured that she could have children some one else's to be sure, but chil- dren nevertheless. So she founded a home for the mites, where they ran wild through the big rooms, and grew fat and healthy in the fragrant air that blew in from the ocean. For three months happiness prevailed.
 Barbara had just finished her ac- counts. She was satisfied that her private income was sufficient to pay ! food bills, nurses and cooks salaries, and the other running expenses of the i house. But there was not one red cent left for clOthes How were 15 pairs of feet to be booted and 15 backs protected from the wintry blasts? '"The Lord must provide," Barbara reiterated, trying to throw off all care "Why, what have we here?"
 It was little Bertha, tugging at her skirt. Miss Babs, Miss Babs, l heard a burglar in the house."
 "Only the wind or creaking stair Old houses like this are full of sounds"
 But this sound was of an opening window and tumble"
 This convinced Barbara that 1t was time to act She tucked Bertha into bed, seized her revolver, and stepping into the elevator, slid noiselessly tC the street floor. There, silhOuetteC against the dining room windows, was man.
 He turned like a shot when Barbara approached.
 "What's the idea?" asked Barbara twirling the revolver so that it gilt tered in the dim light.
 "Why-er-Why-" the intruder stammered. "I hope you don't mind my calling at this hour?"
 "Mnd! screamed Barbara hys terically. At midnight?'
 q declare," murmured the man "She takes me for burglar"
 "What else could I take you for" Barbara snapped peevishly. You cer tainly aren't making social visit"
 My dear Miss Planning, as per my usual stupdness, I've made mess o1 kindly-intentioned act. I'm youl neighbor Philip Mead"
 Barbara hardly knew how to act to ward the man she had heard so mucl of, but had never met before. Lets sit down and talk it over," she sug gested, impetuously pulling out { chair.
 "Oh, don't sit down." cautioned tht visitor, but Barbara had already strucl a hard object which caused her to leaI instantly from the chair. The nex moment she was holding up a pair O. 1 shoes. A second survey betrayed { box on every chair. a heap of stock ings before the fireplace, and outside on the porch a pile of boxes the con teuts of which she could well imagine
 'What have you dOne?" she queried in bewiiderment.
 Philip swayed neryously from hee to toe. You don't know how man. times I've watched you and your chil dren. I've envied you with my whol, heart and soul," he began. "Al m! life I've wanted to be loved, to marry to have a home and children Blu Pm too blamed shy I lose my wit! whenever I meet a woman (the dark ness was helping him along), ant there's no one that cares row O pins for me anyway. When l sav what grand, self-sn crifcing work you were doing just had to help. I didn' dare to offer money, so I brough i these"
 "You darling!" Barbara forgot he own awe of the male and flung he nr1nS around Phil's neck. The nex :noment they were laughing and chat ting as if they had been friends fo years.
 "We'n nominate you master of thu .vardrobe,'" stated Barbara. "YOl nay visit us as much as you please"
 '"Thanks. That will do very well fo The present." remarked Phil dryly After that. perhaps -er-don't vol think the children might need a littl fatherng along with the mOtherng?"
 Barbara laughed, wondering why he throat was filled up. why her hear was Icaping wildly and painfully
 'I gu"sS you'd better go nOw," sh murlnured. "We are ready for caller after ten in the morning"
 Phil strode to the window. "Tll g. as came for good luck. I'm gOin home to dream of the home beautiful | yoOd pi~ht Mics RahS" | MaIines CariIIons Busy.
 The carillons of Malines have never