Arizona republican., 1921-12-11

fe-opyright. 1921, by W. Werner)
 The last payment had been made; inc mortgage was no more. The house. with it's two acres, was theirs Sarah could feel her ownership reach- ing down to the center Of the earth. Toms salary had paid for 1t, but Sarah had done the saving. She had engineered all the improvements they'd made on the old building, until if had grown to be an uncommonly good looking and practical dwelling. Then Sarah had created the garden, and it was known as the pride of the place-a wealthy suburb of the big city. The big places had man gar deners-the best they could find-out the general concept of flower gar den was to buy few dozen red ger aniums from the florist and some flaming cannas to make things look nice and warm in July.
 No such arrangement here. Sarah Waters was deeply learned in trees md shrubs and hardy penennials. The house was bower of climbing roses and clematis; the pergola she and rom had made was mass of waving honeysuckle and all sorts Of blooming things whose tangled growth nearly hid the rustic frame work--a real pergola instead or hare bit of useless architecture. Big poultry farmers used to come and study Sarah's chicken yard-that miracle of cleanliness and productive ness.
 On that proud day when real own ership first crowned the labor or long years Sarah's soul tingled with joy at the sight of her possessions. The lawn was brilliantly green and fine as velvet. The wide borders were rich blends of gay petals, tempered with peren. The delphiniums in the back rows in their blues and iridescent bronzes challenged the tall hollyhocks and the hollyhocks answered with every shade of rosy pink and cr1rn- son. There was no blight nor failure Anywhere. The little wisp of a wom- an with thin lips and cold eyes and straight apron felt the rapture Of queen over a great domain.
 When evening came and Tom re- turned from tue city and his dog met him at the gate, Sarah on the screened porch had ready on idyllic meal
 I'm going to get s2 dozen more on chickens" was her greeting, then GWhy, good gracious, Tom Waters, what's the matter?"
 Tom Waters was tall and heavy man. He was dark by nature ana Dy the sun. but his face was grayish and full of misery as he dropped into a chair and groaned. Sarah, I done something today I oughtn't to with out first consulting you" His voice svas hollow and doleful.
 Hers was sharp and harsh: Well, for mercy sakes, eat your dinner be- fore 1t gets stone cold. Then let hear about it." she said.
 Tom, eating plate after plate of viands, had the abject air of one who would fain put off an explosive mo- ment:
 "You ain't put mortgage on the place again?" she asked.
 aNo, goose, couldn't do that with out you. See here. Sarah, you re- member my talking good d<-> about Hank Todd, my cousin-moyed way out to Oregon-hadnt heard from him for years? Well, he and his wife-it's awful-were lost in an automobile accident three months
 Awful" repeated Sarah, stonily. :.
 s.They left one child-boy of eight.
 There was silence before Sarah spoke.
 q see And the wife's people want you to adopt this boy of eight!
 That's it. Here's a long letter. They're dead poor and can't keep birn There's a sister East well oft