The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1921-10-14
A HOUSE TO RENT
BY cLARissA MAcKIE.


Mr.. Brent arranged his tie with pre-
cision, brushed an imaginary speck
from the shoulder Of his immaculate
black coat, opened window so that
the room might air while he dined, and
then with one glance around the four
grim walls he closed the door and
walked slowly down stairs. On the
floor below he hesitated as he always
did when Miss Wren's door was open.
He liked the cheeriness OF the crimson
carpet. the wicker chair, the big Bos-
ton fern, the sewing table and an
occasional glimpse of Elsie Wren, sew
Ing or reading or feeding her bird
with little housewifely airs that
seemed strange in fashionable board
Ing house.
But Elsie was not there, and her
door was almost closed, so he did not
absorb any of the nominees which he
craved. He went down and dined
with dozen other lonely men and
women who tried to make homes for
themselves out of four walls in an
other mans house. and with more or
less success.
James Brent ate his dinner in an
distracted manner. He never Joined
In the eneral conversation about the
long table, but occasionally some one
would boldly address remark to him,
and he would answer in his deliberate
manner, pleasantly, but reservedly.
He was a lonely man, alone In the
world, and lately he had grown to
detest the four walls or his room on
the third floor front. The very sight
Of Elsie Wren's red carpet thrilled
him-he wanted CHEEKY room with
red carpet. singing bird. a Boston
fern, and a wicker chair with
This thought came to him as he took
his after-dinner stroll down the street
Of the small town where he lived.
Over there on the hill was the universi-
ty where he taught every day. He
wanted home to come to after the
days teaching, but he had nothing to
offer such bright, charming little
woman as Miss Elsie Wren. who
was music teacher as well as the
favorite inmate of the boarding
house.
IF had home to Offer" thought
Mr.. Brent blushlng painfully In the
dark, 'but I could not take wife
home to boarding house, though it
has been done" he added hopefully.
Out of the darkness an automobile
dashed its lights. In the sudden glare
Mr.. Brent saw white and black sign
nailed on tree-he saw a gate,
little lawn, and small house--then
darkness absorbed the picture as the
car disappeared.
"Ahal A house to rent" unused
the bachelor as he leaned on the fence.
"A house--to-rent--"
A week or two later he went out
for his Sunday afternoon stroll, over
taking Elsie Wren a block beyond the
house. He had to hurry little to
catch up with her swift pace.
isn't 1t lovely day." she asked.
He agreed, then he added nervously
"Arc yeu In hurry?"
"Yes-and no." she laughed. "Why"
1--WE been looking at house-would
like your advice" mumbled Mr.. Brent,
opening the gate of the little place
and closing II behind her. His fine,
clean-shaven face was set In tense
lines; never had greater problem
the gentle mathematician
than this one.
''Fancy your taking a place and
keeping house." murmured Miss
Wren. as she followed him into the
wee hall. isn't 1t the cutest place
Dne could have plants In that window"
she said with the fiower-lover's eager
ness
"Yes, in any Of the rooms-the sun
follows the windows all day." he
heard himself saying eagerly. "Awn-
ngs In the summer will make It cool
the rooms upstairs are charmlngly
arranged, but they are, Of course, I'M
furnished, so are the kitchen and din
ng room" He opened the doors. but
Hiss Wren quickly furnished them in
Ter mind, and the few suggestions she
Uttered betrayed the yearning of the
'ingle homeless woman for real abld-
Dg place of her own.
Zone room is furnished" he said at
ast, when II was time to 20.
(which one?"
"The living room. I've had It fur
lished like one I've admired and"
le opened the door Of the south room,
md Miss Elsie Wren stood dumbly
pon the threshold while her fair face
rev pink. pinker, pinkest. Here was
reproduction Of her own CHEEKY room
t the boarding house--a room fur
ished with odds and ends from her
Id home--a crimson rug, gray walls,
White woodwork, cloudy white cur
aims, Boston fern or two, coy
replace, a wicker chair. tables, big
asy chair, masculine touch not In
luded in Miss wren's roomi
"Oh-how strangep she breathed.
"You-like iti'' he asked, looking
'orried.
Il nustin Tears were In her kind
yes.
1--WE could be happy here together,
Isle wren.y he declared desperately
There was a little silence while the
lte Of the house hung In the balance.
Suddenly she lined bapnv cvoo -