The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-03-23
Their Little House
ss
By ROY NEWBERRY


the steep clearinghouse stairs.
For answer Marian threw herself
into his arms and held up her red
lips.
Il paid Darby a deposit and as soon
as the abstract has been passed on
I'll pay him in full. Eight hundred
dollars, Marian. tell you it's a buy|
"Oh, I'm so pleased Just to think
that it's ours. Wen have to get right
to work on the plans"
"Well 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-fye hundred. | can't stand for
that on my salary"
"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.
ITS within our means. We don't
want to bite off too much. Then II
you have extra room you're bound to
have company. We don't want soul
bothering US"
Don't be selfish, SON. she admOn-
ished, drying her eyes behind his back.
He turned toward her. Haven't
we earned it?" he demanded "Cooped
up here with n 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, dearY
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.
"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 a little place"
Comfortable? Wen be as snug as
can be- she Interrupted.
1T isn't as though there were chill
dren,' she tried to speak brayely
Yes, l know" Jack said ~ guess
you're right about il. I'm willing 10
put it all up to you. Suppose you 90
right ahead and carry out your own
ideas. I'll be satisfied"
"Oh Jack !" she cried brokenly.
you aren't losing interest because"
NO, 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
The little house was nearing compile
ton. Set well 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. lie grew more
enthusiastic every day.
"Why that place is gem he told
his WIFE II 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 pilgrimage TO the little
house to note its 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
nest.
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
In a great chair before the blazing
hearth sat John Hardy pulling in an
ecstasy Of contentment and pride upon
his old meerSchaum pipe
lie turned TO Marian. who through
with the dishes from their first meal
under their own roof, lay upon the
broad dlyan.
~ tell you, honey, this is the great
est evening of my life" the husband
declared feryently.
Yes, yes dearie," she answered. 81
can see how you're enjoying It,"
For an interval John pulled on in
silence.
81 didn't tell you about the old couple
that came today" Marian said at last.
"What did they w0nt?' he asked,
blowing a cloud of smoke toward the
polished beams above.
"They were such sweet old couple,
SO gentle and sO-juSt good, and he
was so kind to her. They wanted to
buy the house"
Not on your life" John cried, 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?
We don't want"
Something in the girls face checked
him.
She Struggled close to him, a-tremble.
In alarm he raised her face to his.