South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-10-30


You mean a house2" We both
spoke ar once. then smiled at our
own eagerness.
do YOU want a house %" Her
frank face Swallowed with disap-
pointmcnt. Il was hoping you'd
want 20 board with Us. We've got
such a nice place fixed up. I wrote
ycu about g. but I didn't mention
your coming. for. Of course. ] didn't
know what plans you had for the
summer"
We do wish 20 board with you
for some time" Lillian assured her
hurriedly Mrs. Graham was just
speaking about IT, But eventually
she must secure a house. Suppose
you let US look at your rooms"
Just wait until I stir up the fire
and put the tea kettle on" Mrs.
TIGER returned Hospitality Then
We can be talking with nothing on
our mines"
she hustled about the stove and
kitchen table. making preparations
that caused ms 20 look AT each other
with appreciative anticipation.
we had stewed chicken with bis
cults for dinner" she said. looking
speculativeiy into a big yellow bowl.
land we didn't eat more'n half Of
s. You see there's nobody home
hut me and sam and Jerry. II you
don't mind it's being warmed up
could make some fresh biscuits"
stop right there. Mrs. TIGER. %
Lillian entreated. putting up a warn
ing hand. II shant be able to think
about rooms or houses IL you con-
tinue 10 talk about stewed chicken
and biscuits"
Quaint Rooms.
Mrs. TIGER laughed approximately.
"All right. I won't say "a single
thing more she said. Come now
end look AT the rooms"
1 glanced at Lillian "A bit appre-
hensively as we followed in Mrs.
TIGERS ample wake. ives not quite
sure Of Mrs TIGERS taste in decor
ating. and I wondered If IT would
suit either Lillian or me. But as we
entered the rooms my spirits rose.
Some one had possessed the good
sense TO leave the quaint old rooms
Is they had been, simply putting a
fresh coat Of ivory paint upon the
dingy woodwork, which had once
been white. and tinting the rough
piastered walls a neutral gray. The
raftered ceiling Of the big room.
which I had so admired the summer
before, had been swept OF its cob
webs. but the rich duskiness of the
wood. product Of years OF smoke,
had not been disturbed by cleaning.
The floors were painted a dark
mahogany. and brilliantly olored
rag rugs. product Of Mrs. TIGERS eff
ficient. never firing fingers. were laid
upon them. The windows were cur
tanned with cheap. but spotless
white scrim, while the few pieces Of
furniture-just enough for comfort
caused me to gasp with delight.
EUrmised that Mrs. TIGER must have
Tansacked the garrets of all her
family and acquaintance. There
was nothing OF unusual value TO an
antique lover, but they were all at
least so years old. and constructed
OF walnut and cherry Of which l am
so fond.
The Drawback.
There was only one drawback
Every room OF the four. even the
tiny one at the back. had been
equipped as a bedroom. I saw Lii
liam look speculatively at the big
room with the fireplace, and sus-
pected that she as we'll as was
planning it's transformation into a
comfortable sitting room.
How much a week do you wish
for us three If you give us this en-
tire wing of four rooms? ?" l asked.
Mrs. TIGER named a sum which ]
knew would give her a fair return
for her labor, but which seemed alb
surdly small when compared TO gen
eral summer resort prices. l looked
at Lillian questioningly. and she
signalled RE an unqualified assent
we Will take them, then" I said
promptly. and we'd only like one
change. Would it be possible 10 put
q couch instead Of a bed in here
we would like to use this room for
g sitting room. would we not ?" ]
looked at Lillian for the assent ]
know was already on her lips.
Indeed. yes" Lillian answered
and Mrs. TIGERS response was equal
ly prompt.
sure thing" she said heartily. -
told TIGER when he was fxin' up the
rooms that we ought 20 fix this W
for a parlor but he said we might
get crowd that would each want a
bedroom. SEEMS though YOU cant
get a notion through a mans head
once they make up their minds
about a thing They're as set as a
change il right away.
He ought TO be here now unless
he's stopped 10 show the little gir
the we'll But that's probably what
he's doing. He's as proud OF that
well as II IL were his first baby and
he was showing of its first tooth
Now just make yourselves right tc
home. I'll have Jerry carry in your
things when he gets here with
his father. and they'll make a place
for your car in the barn. And now
II youU excuse me. III so and hurry
UP your supper"
She walked stiHly erect as usual
from the room. and moment later
her full voice sounded authorita-
lively from the front door.
You TIGER. come here quick"
Wouldn't you think Mrs. TIGER
would know by this time that the
word quick isn't in her husbands
vocabulary ."
Lillian turned from the window
framing a charming picture OF roll
Ing meadow and woods. and smiled
l az me understandingly.
Women never learn. do they
she cOuntered. But do you know