The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-01-27
Their Little House
(Copyright.)
By ROY NEWBERRY

Cue steep DOufuiHS-LOuSc StuES.
For answer Marian threw herself
into his arms and held up her red
lips. .#
II paid Darby deposit, and as soon
as the abstract has been passed on
I'll pay him In full. y Eight hundred
dollars, Marian. tell you It's buy!"
"Oh, I'm 50 pleased! Just to think
that It's ours. Wen have to get right
to work on the plans"
"We'll run out there right after
supper, honey"
Hardy came home in the dumps.
what do you know about that?" he
said. "Twenty-one hundred and fifty
eight was the lowest bid. They ran
all the way up to twenty-five forty.
That will bring our place up to nearly
thirty-five hundred. can't stand for
that on my salary" -.a
'Oh, my! that too MUCH" Marian
agreed. 1--WE can't afford it, john"
II always did like that plan OF
yours" he declared, seeking his pipe
furtively as she sank back into her
chair.
"It's within our means. We don't
want to bite Off too much. Then If
you have extra room you're bound to
have company. We don't want soul
bothering u.s.
"Don't be selfish, son." she admon-
lshed, drying her eyes behind his back.
He turned toward her. Haven't
we earned it?" he demanded. 'COOped
up here with houseful of people for
four years? l tell you don't want
to see soul around our place until
all of this has worn off. What did you
do with that plan, dear?"
She brought it to him, alive again
to the pleasure of speculation.
"By George, that is clever plan,'
he assured her.
Jack was deep in contemplation of
the plan. .n.r
"You certainly have got things fig
ured out pretty fine, honey" he as
sured her at last 1T didn't seem to
me that we could be comfortable in
such little place"
comfortable? Well be as snug as
can be-" she interrupted.
1T isn't as though there were chill
dren," she tried to speak bravely.
Eyes, l know" Jack said. Il guess
you're right about 1t. I'm willing to
put it all up to you. Suppose you 60
right ahead and carry out your own
ideas. I'll be satisfied"
ooh, Jack' she cried brokenly.
you aren't losing interest because.
mo, no, honey" he assured her
quickly. 1T isn't that"
go ahead. Sign the contract and
get to work; We want to be settled
by Christmas" -= -. .~---- .-.-.r-
The little house was nearing compile
ton. Set we'll back from the street, it
nestled among the trees in perfect har-
mony with its setting.
Passers-by stopped and admired;
visitors to the little city paused at the
door to question and voice their
praises.
Prospective house builders sought
Hardy for suggestions. He grew more
enthusiastic every day.
"Why, that place is gen." he told
his wife. Il could have sold it today
for good, big profit. The whole
towns talking about it,
1t had been their custom every eve
ming to make a pilgrimage to the little
house to note it's progress and to dis
cuss the furnishings. Piece by piece
the household goods were installed,
and at last everything was in readi-
ness for their occupancy of the snug
lest.
Marian tried to conceal the fact
that the strain had been too much.
'I'm SICK" she admitted at last.
downright sick: I'm going to see. Doc
tor Harding" .s.....
In a great chair before the blazing
hearth sat John Hardy pulling in an
ecstasy of contentment and pride upon
his old meerschaum pipe.
He turned to Marian, who, through
with the dishes from their first meal
under their own roof, lay upon the
broad divan.
II tell you, honey, this is the great
est evening Of my life," the husband
declared fervently. Co.,
Eyes, yes, dearie," she answered. II
can see how you're enjoying it."
For an interval John pulled on in
silence. ..
II didn't tell you about the old couple
that came today" Marian said at last.
..What did they want?" he asked,
blowing a cloud of smoke toward the
polished beams above.
They were such a-sweet old couple,
so gentle, and so-just good, and he
was so kind to her. They wanted to
buy the house." .
mot on your life" John scried.. sit
ting bolt upright.
They're coming back day after to-
morrow to see you,' Marian softly In
terrupted.
"Coming back" he repeated, facing
her. "Why, are they coming back !?
Didn't you tell them it's not for sale?
~ a ooSk sx,opk- - d