The herald., 1922-08-10
A PINK GERANIUM
BY LAURA MONTGOMERY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
q. 1921. by Mcclure Nswspaper Syndic


in some nice suburb near Chicago. I
never felt really at home in New
York"
How perfectly lovely" returned
Grace, wistful dark eyes on the others
face, ito move into a cottage and feel
that the roof is really all your own, to
step out into grassy yard and he
free to dig about and set out shrubs.
Why. Betty, I wouldn't care II the
cottage was only three rooms and far
out In the country"
Betty smiled. Just as romantic as
ever" she teased. You used to talk
about a kitchen done In blue anG
white, with crisp white curtains blow
ing out from easement windows, and
believe you insisted upon a pink
geranium in the pot on the shelf above
the sink. Now, for myself, am quite
willing to leave culinary decorations
to the servants"
"Shail you keep a maid?" asked
Grace, who went downtown daily to
an office and chung to a strap twice
a day.
Bettys head lifted pridefully. MY
dear, I haven't had chance to tell
you yet. but that uncle Of mothers
In Australia died and left us pot
| Of money. We never cared for the
East, and we decided to come back
here and get fine little home where
we know everybody"
Then of course you'll buy In Briar
Cliff" said Grace confidently. I'm
determined to get a house on the
lake." replied Betty and think how
| you'll enjoy your week-ends out
there. Well golf every spare
II don't know how" Grace thought
Of an old friend of hers, back In that
happy past, who had discouraged the
learning Of the popular game. He
had told her how he admired her do
nestle tastes and she, thinking con-
fdently Of the little blue-and-white
kitchen, had not learned to play. That
Don had not been to call on her for
over two months had been a source
of keen disappointment to her.
You'll soon pick 1t up" laughed
Betty. suppose we taxi out to Brian
Cliff this afternoon and look at
houses? Mother Is tired out from her
trip and wants to rest, but / like to
be doing something every minute"
Grace looked about the handsome
foyer of the Michigan boulevard no
Sel with rather awed eyes.
During the swift ride out to the
suburb the bracing lake air sent
dash of color into Grace's white
cheeks. She scarcely listened to hel
chum, who chartered on of sunrooms
terraces and refrigerators cooled b!
electricity.
AT last we can have Just what VI
want" went on Betty, "a low rambling
bungalow type"
Grace reused herself: won't
bungalow Of that type cost a lot Q
money!
Betty nodded: I'VE expect {
spend about thirty thousand dollar
, for It," she said, enjoying Grace
, start Of amazement, "and-" here tn
, tender-hearted youth Of her wa
, crystallized into rather shy speech
81 remember how dreadfully W
, wanted home Of our own, neve
, dreaming that Uncle Don would thin
of us In his will, and have made u
. my mind that l will buy from youn
, salesman, some one who really need
that commission to get a start"
Grace. mentally computing the pe
cent that would be paid to real e.
1, tate firms assistant, gasped. On thi
], ty thousand dollars even the smalle'
per cent usual to the salesman woul
be considerable. Don had once talke
. Of going into real estate In Brfar Gil
q and she wondered II he had a lit
a Office near the station. 81 would lo'
a to ask her to let me look around
> little before she goes to Van-Murray
2 Office" she thought. 'but perhaps Dc
/, would be vexed." She had live
J. recollection Of Don's pride.
r. Betty did not notice her chuIs
silence, for already the taxi man ~
It been paid of and Betty entered q
= office Of van-Murray. She loox'
v about her swiftly and her cage
q amused eyes went past the portly ms
V seated at a handsome desk who TO
courteously to receive her. The your
man by the window did not look |
until Betty stood before him al
voiced her request. wouldn't "
. prefer to have Mr.. yan-Murray sho
y you the list for such a place"
!, "No," said the caller briefly, "
|, will do. l will look at the pilot
"a graphs, for / want style. and
I friend" she indicated Grace, who HI
20 flushed to a lovely rose. will To-
AZ into the drains and culinary arranf
"a ments. She Is domestic. whereas i
a she waited as Don paused best
"A Grace's chair end shook hands WI
If her. do you know each otherF
TX "Have you been out here befo
~ Bettyf' she asked confusedly.
m. Betty nodded calmly: Il rememt
az things" she said graphically, VIII
Don stared uncomprehendingly.
remember some mighty good times
en- me when you had plenty and h
almost nothing"
NJ "Grace," whispered Don two ho'
ny later as Betty fingered on the terra
eS NJ tho LITTLE bungalow on the lax