The Meeker herald., 1922-12-16
John and Eleanor's
Dream

D. ELLA SAUNDERS

J0Qu EStOuhuE iOOAGu II caCu OkACA
with startled eyes. as II unable to BE-
lievs 1t. After two years Of city life
an apartment, modest. but In quite
nice dIstrict-they had their country
cottage.
The cottage they had always
dreamed Of. 1t was John who had
found 1t. 1t was little. old.fashioned
place with about half an acre Of gar
den, Just within the committing region.
yet untouched by modernity. There
was not even q bathroom when they
rented 1t. John had had that put In
The whole thing had been 4 surprise
to Eleanor.
She stood among the hollyhocks
with shining eyes. 1T seems too good
to be true" she said. THE dearest
placed John. won't We be happy"
They were. Eleanor revelled in her
garden. John moved the lawn In the
evenings. They had no cares. no one
to bother them. In the evenings Flea
nor sewed or read, while John. when
he was not detained at the office. rs
frequently happened. went through his
accounts and correspondence.
"We'll save all the expenses OF a
holiday now. dearest said John. ~
shall simply knock of work for a
couple Of weeks and stay here with
you"
That event happened 4 few weeks
after they had moved In. 1t was the
latter part Of August. scorching hot !;
John sat In his shirtsleeves all day
under the big naples. going through
letters and wishing that he had his
stenoSrapher with him.
"John, deavest." said Eleanor, bend.
Ing over him. don't you think you
ought to get q little exercise now that
you're freer'
ave thought Of that" answered
John. smoothing down his waistcoat.
Trouble is. there are no golf links
anywhere for miles around. wish
some one would start some"
"But, dearest. how about whose nice
country walks we plannedT
Nothing against EN-" answered
John. except that we've worn out the
country"
worn It out ," queried Eleanor.
Yep. that's what ! said" John an.
swered brlskiy. Eve know all the
roads round here. We know Farmer
Giles black COW and Farmer Hen.
bricks blue one. We know the pretty
cottage with the jasmine and honey
suckle at the bend Of the road. We
know-Oh, everything that's know
able. including Mrs. Miller's blear-eyed
kid that makes faces at U.S."
"Oh, know. ! know" said Eleanor
miserably. John WAS getting tired Of
their dream. that was the trouble.
That was why he brought all his work
home. John was moping.
1.-THE clear. starry skies, the wonder
Of the dawn. the sound Of singing
birds. the music In each rIll OF water
these were not for John. Eleanor
would be glad. for Johns sake. when
his holiday came to an end.
Something seemed to be coming be-
tween them that autumn. The old,
sweet confidence seemed gone. Some
times Eleanor would detect her hus-
band sitting in his chair, staring
modify at her. At such times her
heart would beat faster, and she
would wonder:
"Can there be any one else?"
One night she could lear It no
longer John, won't you tell me
what has come between us Of late?"
she begged. rs there's there some
one else?"
John kissed her sadly. mo. darling.
just business troubles" he answered.
Could she believe him7 Eleanor
looked at him doubtfully. After that
the shadow that had fallen between
them grew bIncker and blacker.
Dear, what'd you say to little
jaunt to town this EVENING"" John
asked, "just to keep in touch With
things. We mustn'st become back
numbers. even II we do live In the
country, must WEI"
Eleanor agreed without enthusiasm.
The spell OF country life had taken
hold Of her. But for Johns sake
1t was strange being at the thenter
again. They watched each other. each
afraid Of seeming too appreciative.
They dined at q fashionable restau-
rant.
at 10 nice In q way, isn't IT. Flea
nor?' said John. But II doesn't come
up to the glories Of sunset and dawn.
and the hum of the tree-toads, does
III"
"N-no," said Eleanor.
She was so absorbed In her thoughts
that she did not realize where they
were going until John helped her out
OF the taxi.
She stared about her. "Why, Its our
old apartment hcuse!" she exclaimed.
without 4 word John led the way
Into their old apartment on the ground
floor. Eleanor gasped. 1t was all fur
nished-rexdy for occupancy. She
looked at her husband. and sudden
light came to her.
"Oh, darlIng!" she cried.
ibid l guess right!'