New-York tribune., 1921-12-04

II long table, was taking no part in the
conversation
"They might have waited" she
thought bitterly, until it was really settled"
How easily they made their plans and with
what enthusiasm most of them seemed to well
come the prospect of change! Wasn't there
one little touch of sentiment in any of them,
If only because Of the length Of time they had
been under her roof? She had tried her best
to make this place home, catered to their
wants and idosyncracies and, after ALL it was
TO them merely boarding house The news
that the house was to be sold seemed to thrill
every one with pleasant anticipations.
''I've always wanted an apartment of my
own" Gertie Golightly was saying. "Most of
the girls know have such adorable places
several have wanted me to share theirs But
I'm going to get one alone and not have to
consider anybody. After boarding"-
"We have enough beautiful furniture in
storage to start housekeeping" interrupted
Mrs Andrew Binney, "and don't know why
we haven't done it long before this. Still, one
does drift along and get into rut, and it
takes something like this to jog one out of it,
I'm going out to look for nice apartment to-
morrow. A friend of mine has a lovely place
uptown"
Me for a studio apartment" confded Dave
Hemisphere in Gertie Golightly's ear. "Thats
the life! You can have atmosphere in studio.
L
long time that wanted to get out of this sort
of thing"
Boarding houses are out Of date," agreed
May Whitley, on the other side Of Dave "Go-
ing out to eat so much, anyway-and there
isn't any freedom or-or-as Dave says
atmosphere in one. I'm going to get me
cute little place and paint the furniture my
self and have yellow curtains and serve tea
and-and fix it all up like place saw"
Maybe Samuel and me will go to an apart
ment hotel" chimed in old Mrs Cribbage. "Of
course, we can't keep house on account of my
poor health. In hotel you get service and
cen pick and choose what you want to eat.
Mrs Canary, I'll have very little more of
the spinach. My doctor says must eat lots Of
spinach. And you might give me another slice
Of that roast beef. / didn't eat hardly any
lunch"
Pm going to get place with two bath
rooms" muttered Andrew Binney. "And one
OF EN- I'm going to have all to myself. And
plenty Of hot water day and night, SOS any
apt to %o1o ho+L r
Where are you going, Mr. Colt?" demanded
Mrs. Cribbage suddenly
Alfred Colt gazed thoughtfully around the
table before answering. Then he said quietly
"With Mrs. Canary--wherever she goes. That
is, If she will take me along"
The landladys pose suddenly deserted her
and her hand, which was helping Mrs. Crib
bage to some more "creamed" carrots,
trembed.
"Why-why, Mr.. Colt" she said. "that is
nice OF you OF course may have to take a
very small apartment; rents are SO frightful
frightful!'
"You will have to take one large enough to
include me, too," declared timid little Miss
Ounce, blushing. "I-I don't know what I'd
do If you didn't. To go and live among stran-
gers-oh, just couldn't"
Indignation at the others had kept Mrs.
Canarys courage up, but these two loyal out
bursts disarmed her. She gazed around with
brimming eyes. s'You know" she began wist-
1ully, Il feel as il we were like happy fam
w breaking up-we'ye been together SO long.
And We have had some pleasant times. I've
never felt chat this was just an ordinary
boarding house-it's' always been my ideal to
make 1t home. Perhaps failed sometimes
but have tried"
Again it was Alfred Colt who broke the
heartless silence: "You have made us all very
comfortable, Mrs. Canary. We owe you q
debt of gratitude
I've never looked for gratitude, so won't
be disappointed if | don't get any," said Mrs,
Canary, her eyes on Mrs. Cribbage, who was
handing her empty plate to Agnes with whis-
pered Instructions. "But, thank you, Alfred
Colt, for standing by me. And Miss Ounce.
80. You always were gentleman. Any