The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-09-24
In Harmony
By ALDEN CHAPMAN


dren, and known generally as the most
bustling and goOd-natured woman In
town.
She hadmade good wife; equally, a
considerable and sensible mother. She
had been a widow for five years. She
had brought up her two children In a
way that was acceptable to the cross
est old maids in Chenille. Their lit
tie home was inviting outside, and neat
and attractive within. However, more
than once she had made the remark:
ut is pretty lonesome without man
about the house." but there was moth
ing of the husband hunter about her.
For the sake of the children | may
marry again." she had reflected, but
the right man has not come along yet"
One day, however, he seemed to ap-
pear A stranger passing along the
walk halted hesitatingly. He was
seemingly about thirty-fve years of
age, well dressed.
II am neighbor, or likely to be- he
observed. second house beyond your
place"
"Oh, think l have heard of you! !"
replied Mrs. Martin in her open, spon-
taneous way. "You are Mr.. Liscombe,
are you not?"
'Why, yes" he assented, apparently
pleased to hear his name thus famil
iarly spoken. you see, the house and
lot on the corner was part of some
property bequeathed in bulk to rela-
tives. In the division / selected it as
my portion"
YES, have heard that you intended
TO settle down here"
81 have about made up my mind to
10 that soon," said Victor Liscombe.
The longing for home of my own
has influenced me. / am q lawyer in
the city, twenty miles away, lonely,
unmarried man, and the daily ride
would be restful after the CRIME and
grind of the day."
"Then your wife-I beg pardon, your
mother or other relatives would keep
your house for YOU" began Mrs. Mar
tin.
II have not living relation in the
world that l know Of" remarked Lis
combe, "but there is an old lady, for
mer housekeeper of our family, Mrs.
Doane. who might be glad to come and
take care of the house on the guaran-
tee of pension, and l have written
! to her. The people next door, the Eas-
| tons, have welcomed me in friendly
way, and have told me about you and
| your dear little ones. l am very fond
of children, and find myself so fortu-
| nate in the way of neighbOrs that be-
| liece l shall be very comfortable and
| contented. But l am taking up your
| time. The EastOns are away, and l
wanted to see If 1 could borrow step
ladder until l can order one"
Mrs. Martin led the way to a shed
with cheerful, accommodating help
yourself" If LiScombe had been at
tracted by her charming manner, his
favorable opinion was enhanced as he
stood within the structure. 1t held a
full complement of garden tools, each
one in its own place, clean and bright
Order and neatnesS were certainly
characteristic of this most excellent
neighbor. He selected one of the three
step ladders carried it away and re-
turned about an hour later.
81 have got to trouble you again"
he said. "YOu see, 1 am getting the
house in order to furnish up, but l am
busting the wall paper and don't seem
to make it work with whiSk broom"
"Oh, no, that scratches and smears,"
explained Mrs. Martin. "Tll just come
over and start you in right" and she
selected a broom, over which she tied
soft towel, and long handled dus-
ter and devoted half an hour to teach
ing him.
1t was two hours later when she
looked over into the Easton yard that
she made those fOrceful remarks as to
the stupidity and impracticability Of
mankind in general. Before going
away the Eastons had put out an ear
ly morning washing on the line. Lis
cOnlbe had burned out the chimney of
his new home. Clouds Of SCOT had de- |
scended The clothes were a streaked |
soiled mass of CRIME. Mrs. Martin al |
most wept. She set her lips grimly, re- |
moved the line, washed over the SCOT |
clouded clothes and reset them.
"The Eastons would never speak to |
him again if they came home and dis
covered his neighborly act" solilo-
quized Mrs. Martin, "but I'll be pa
tient with him and try and steer him |
clear Of the pitfalls Of masculine house
keeping"
BY the end of the week she had won
the permanent good will of her mis-
guided neighbor by her counsel and CO.
operation. 1t was then that Liscombe
learned of the clothes washing Incl
dent.
you noble woman! Shielding me
from unutterable apimosity," he spoke.
But I'm never to get settled, l think.
Mrs. Doane cannot come to be my
housekeeper."
"And you are looking for another
- Mac Morti,, Jo.......I. |