The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-05-19
The House That
Jack Bought

BY DORA NOLAN.

There are many Uncle Johns in
this world, but outside OF ancient
melodramag few as mean as Jack
F'yers'. 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
II bulged the hip pocket Of his nephew
In the form of a large roll Of bills.
Then the nephew sat down and
made out n score against his Uncle
John. There was the time when n
hundred dollars would have saved his
father' llfe-and the expenses OF the
pltiful funeral. II had taken his
mother a yenr of scrlmping 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, Il
was too late TO do anything for his
mother now; but somewhere I'm the
big city there We're 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
Tor his own kin. AS for touching any
Of the money himself, the idea was
repugnant to Jack. He didn't need II.
But II there should be any left he
would make Uncle John give him a
present--the idea tickled his sense OF
humorl
The ease with which Jack Elgers
paid OFT all the items on that score
would make n convincing argument
for the dlvide,everything up-equally
variety Of socialists. Now, in quest OF
some slight remembrance for himself,
we find Jack strolllng down that
broad avenu known the world oyer
for Its display OF luxury and lovely
women. and lingering three $1,000
bills, all that remained OF the mlser's
hoard.
Jack was gazing, without much In
terest, at n display Of dewdrops OF
the millionaire variety when he no.
ticed a 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
ly, that girl might be natures own
model OF feminine beauty and all the
others on this venue. IN their con
ventional getups, mere copies and
adaptations OF the original"
Jacks eyes followed those OF the
girl to the gown they were fastened
upon. We'll, I'll eat my hiatt" This
exclamation IN Jacks part was lnvol-
untary ms 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
tlmes-a small shlngled cottage snug
CLING close to the ground. II was only
n step from Its lattlced 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 a row OF dormer win
dows and above them n red brick
chimney pnffed curls of sllvery smoke,
At Jack Flyers exclamation the girl
turned TO look at him the situation
seemed to Jack TO call for some fur
Their remark. So with his usual d.
rectness. I'm settling scores with
Uncle John by spending his money In
the last way he would want 1t spent.
II you want that dress, why, he'll play
fairy ~godmother."
The girl started like one waking
from a dream. "HOw absurd 2" she
answered. ITS the house I want, not
the dress-I designed that myself"
With these words she vanished Into
the shop.
Jack Flyers had seen the only thing
he wanted on the avenue, and he
could not go In and buy II. cash down
Also there was that business trip Ia
the West he was due to start on the
next day; II didn't leave him much
time. II he could only do something
to make her think OF him occasionally
while he was gonel Squaring his
shoulders and taking a irmer hold on
his stick. Jack opened the door Of the
little shop and walked In.
"Could I speak with the--er-archi
tect Of the house depleted on tina,
gown In your Window" he inquired OF
the saleswoman who came forward.
IL will ask madame" replied the
clerk. and disappeared behind a screen
at the rear of the shop. Miss Has
tings." a voice called.
"Carol." echoed another one. "You
are wanted out In front"
II thought" began Jack without pre-
amble when Miss Hastings stood be