The Idaho recorder., 1922-05-19
THE LITTLE HOUSE
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON

herlt his fathers property.
Choose your house, Grille" Tom
said to her. II want you 10 have just
What suits you"
"Oh, Tom! May 1 really choose?"
cried Maude.
'uf course you may" he laughed.
Everything will be yours after we are
married"
Maude had aways been poor Her
father had found 1t hard TO support his
family, and she had tried to help. She
was used to giving up the luxuries Of
life, but lOnged for beautiful things
about her.
Have you any place In mind, or
shall we build TO suit ourselves?" he
| asked.
"Ah, Toni" she beamed, "do you
know the house at the top Of Lincoln
avenue with the Conservatives and
the cupola? I've always thought If
could live there I'd be perfectly
happy"
"Of course you can have 1t, IL money
will buy it, he declared. Il want you
to be perfectly happy"
"Oh, | didn't mean that-rd be per
fectly happy with you anywhere" She
blushed.
Ii was a week after that that the
crash came. In the panic the great
house of Rankin x Co. went down.
| Toms father became bankrupt. His
house, everything he owned, must go
to pay debts Mr.. Rankin, being In
poor health, could not long survive the
failure. He died leaving Tom with
ruined prospects. and his fathers
debts to pay. With courage he took
up his task. He went to the girl he
loved and told her ALL
| But all Ia not lost" she told him.
I'VE have each other, and our love.
We must marry just the same. You
must let me help. Do you suppose
would let you meet your struggle
alone?"
| do you mean it?" he cried.
t"Yes, l do. We can live on very
little. I know how to economize. Let
us be married at once"
STAPLES has given me an offer.
Maybe we can pull through on that"
he frightened
| They found little house on the out
skirts of the town and began their
welded life. There was space and air,
and distant views.
At first Maude was little lonely,
but she always met Tom with smile
of cheer, and he never knew.
One day In the early spring an in
| spiratlon came to her. The air was
balmy. Why not have garden? 1t
would make the old place more cheer
full.
Enthusiastic over the new idea.
Maude began to dig. Her mind was
filled with happy thoughts. till Tom
came and found her.
"Why, Glrlie" he cried, isn't this
too hard work for you? What are
You doing"
I'm going to have a garden !" she
oeamed. Her back ached, but she did |
not mind.
He praised her pink cheeks and her |
food, and after supper he wiped the |
dishes
All through the summer the garden |
was source Of Joy.
They had lived two years In the little |
home. and there was baby's voice
TO make II more happy. One night
Tom came home earlier than usual.
His eyes were smiling and she asked
merrily, What is 1t, Tom?" for she
knew when he looked like that he had
somathing OF special interest to tell
her.
Things have been going Just fine"
he explained. 1--WE been making
money. All fathers debts are paid
with big surplus. and I'm promoted.
I'm head Of the department. with
salary enough TO give you all you
want"
"Oh. I'm so glad" she enthused az
knew YOU were smart. and people
would find 1t out. I'm proud of youl"
ITS for you I've been working
you and baby. Now can give you the
home you ought TO have. Do YOU re-
member the house you wanted before
We were married-the one on Lincoln
avenue? It's for sale. I'm going to buy
II and give 1t to you"
She gasped, and her head went down
on his shoulder. but she did not speak
What is itr he asked, aren't You
gladp"
"Oh, Tom You're so good. hut"
"But--what is IT."
Don't buy Il, TOM" she hlur,ed
why not? Don't you want ,tp you
can have all the company you want"
How could we leave this dear LITTLE
house. where we began together. where
baby was born-and the garden. II
wouldn't be home-do you want TO 20
very much2"
NO. l don't want to go. I'm hanpv
right here. was only thinking Of Won
thought you'd be happier there"
Then don't buy It." she bssvad
Tn happier right here. Wen AZ nm
this place and buy more land-I lova
IL so | couldn't bear TO leave II"
That's suits me exactly" bs
oeamed. I'VE have been too happy here
to leave II, that's fact, and l ike
the country as well as you"
"ENWaN