The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-05-21
The House That
Jack Bought
By DORA NOLAN.
t@ by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)

There are many Uncle Johns In
this world. but outside of ancient
melodramaS few as mean as Jack
Elgers'. However, Jacks uncle was
dead, and because of the little for
tune which he had broken the Ten
Commandments to accumulate, in
less than six months after his demise
1t bulged the hip pocket of his nephew
in the form of large roll of bills.
Then the nephew sat down and
made out score against his Uncle
John. There was the time when a
hundred dollars would have saved his
fathers life-and the expenses of the
pitiful funeral. It had taken his
mother year Of scrimping and work
ing by gaslight to pay them. Then
her illness at the time when he, Jack,
had just started in on his first job
he would never forget that! Well, it
was too late to do anything for his
mother now; but somewhere in the
big city there were men and women
In just such distressing circumstances !;
he would search them out and make
Uncle John. dead, do for them what
Uncle John, living. had refused to do
for his own kin. As for touching any
Of the money himself, the idea was
repugnant to Jack. He didn't need it.
But If there should be any left he
would make Uncle John give him a
present-the idea tickled his sense of
humor!
The ease with which Jack Elgers
paid of all the items on that score
would make a convincing argument
for the divide-everything-u p-equally
variety Of socialists. Now, in quest of
some slight remembrance for himself,
we find Jack strolling down that
broad avenue known the world over
for its display of luxury and lovely
women. and lingering three $1,000
bills, all that remained of the miser's
hoard.
Jack was gazing. without much in
terest, at a display Of dewdrops of
the millionaire variety when' he no
ticed girl gazing intently into the
window Of the next store. Exclusive
Shop of Original Creations" the sign
read. He moved on. and stood beside
her. "By Jove," he exclaimed inward
~, that girl might be natures own
model of feminine beauty and all the
others on this avenue. In their con-
getups, mere copies and
adaptations of the original"
Jacks eyes followed those Of the
girl to the gown they were fastened
upon. swell, ri eat my hat" This
exclamation on Jacks part was invol-
untary as well as audible and was
called forth by the embroidered Dor
der on the gown in question.
This extraordinary theme consisted
Of the same motive repeated several
dmes-a small shingled cottage snug
Cling close to the ground. 1t was only
q step from its latticed porch to a lit
tie garden laid out In paths and blaz-
ing with flowers Of the grandmother
variety. Across the front Of the
house stretched row Of dormer win
lows and above them a red brick
pulled curis Of silvery smoke.
At Jack Elgers' exclamation the girl
turned to look at him; the situation
seemed to Jack to call for some fur
her remark. SO with his usual d.
'ectness. "I'm settling scores with
Uncle John by spending his money in
he last way he would want It spent
K you want that dress, why. he'll play
AIRY godmother."
The girl started like one waking
rom a dream. 'tHow absurdr' she
TITS the house want, not
he dress-I designed that myself"
With these words she vanished into
he shop.
Jack Elgers had seen the only thing
re wanted on the avenue, and he
.ould not go in and buy 1t, cash down!
Also there was that business trip to
he West he was due to start on the
lext day; 1t didn't leave him much
fine. IF he could only do something
o make her think Of him occasionally
While he was gone! Squaring his
houlders and taking firmer hold on
Ifs stick, Jack opened the door Of the
title shop and walked in.
"Couid speak with the-er-archi-
ect Of the house depicted on that
own in your Window" he inquired Of |
he saleswoman who came forward.
81 will ask madame" replied the |
Jerk. and disappeared behind a screen
It the rear Of the shop. Miss Has
ings," a voice called.
"Carol," echoed another one. "You
re wanted out in front"
81 thought" began Jack without pre-
mble when Miss Hastings stood be-
ore him. shat perhaps you would be
O kind as to tell me whether there is
uch a little house-in the flesh I |
mean. II so, I wish to buy It."
Carol Hastings answered as direct
Y, Eyes, 1t exists-in my dreams.
tut one can't buy dreams with |
money, not even with Uncle Johns"
Sometimes one can help along In |
he fulfllment of them, though" re-
urned Jack, and he smiled with such
God nature and friendliness that the |
iri smiled back. II am going to
rove that to you before many days."
e added. "Good-day." And he de-
arted without giving Carol chance
D reply.