Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-11-10
IN THE LITTLE HOUSE.
A Short Story.
BY FRANK H. WILLIAMS.


By FRANK H. WILLIAMS.
Copyright. 1922, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate
Every day Grace Henderson passed
the little house in the trees and every
day she looked at II wsStfully ana
eagerly.
So far II hadn't been occupied,
though a sign in the front yard ad-
yertIsed that 1t was for sale for cash
or on terms. And every time Grace
saw the honse still empty she signed
with relief.
Grace wanted that house for her
very own. OF course there wasn't
apparently chance in the world that
II ever would be hers. She had no
money with which to buy 1t, she hau
no kith nor kin who might buy 1t TOT
her and there was no ardent youns
man in Grace's life eager and anxious
to make her it's presiding genius.
But still the desire was there in
Grace's heart, and the hope, too.
This desire and this hope filed her
DAYS with longing and her nights
with dreams.
But dreams they were which were
too good to last, Grace thought, Tor
on one doleful morning when she pass
ed the house she saw that the sign
was gone and that there were cur
tains in the windows of the house and
81 using from the chimney.
Grace put in a bad day after this
Twice she was reproved by her en-
ha hav n n
termined to leave the hateful place
never to return. And twice she put
her hat back on the hook. shook her
self into a determined effort to try
again.
BY the end Of the day, however
she had determined upon n course
OF action which she knew was wild
crazy, foolish in the extreme. Blu
what il ii was all this and more too
1t was at least something differen-
from the eternal drudgery and grinC
of her present life.
Early that evening found Grac,
rather timidly knocking at the dool
of the little house.
Presently a pleasant faced younS
matron answered her knock. Grac,
liked her at once and wondered wha
her husband was like.
II wonder if you'd have any worl
for me helping. YOU get settled II
this house?" Grace querled. II jus
qu:t ny job in an office today.
go, so tired Of Office work 1 couldn'
sand Il any more, and this house
Wei I've always liked it. Here's
reference from my employer"
&C me in" said the matron.
She led Grace into n large livin,
room which though large was coz,
and comfortable and which, whel
furnished with the materials nov
scattered here and there about tn
room, gave promise of being extreme
ly attractive. Grace liked the roor
and the furnishings at once.
Gravely the matron read the shor
reference and then locked up an
smiled.
My name is Mrs. Branning." sh
volunteered. Before I was marie
! felt much the way you do. I'd lik
to have your help. Could you con-
by the day."
Yes" said Grace eagerly.
The matter Of pay was settled s
once and the hour at which Graz
was TO arrive in the morning.
o'clock. And presently Grace four
herself back again in her boardir
house room feeling more alert, MOI
live and even happy. She was g
ing 10 be part of the little hou.
for while and that was eomethin:
The man of the house was gone b,
fore Grace arrived. Nor did he r
turn before she left in the evenin
Grace wondered what he was like
young, of course; good looking, pro
ably and successful. What a lucl
girl Mrs. Branning was, and she, Ill
Grace. had once worked in an Off,
and felt tired and discouraged.
Grace and Mrs. Branning got {
splendidly together They were bo
Of about the same age and their e,
perience had been quite similar, wi
the exception that Mrs. Branning w
married. While Grace was not.
You ought 10 be married" sa
Mrs. Branning 10 Grace suddenly O.
day.
Grace looked up, startled; the
seeing the candid, kind eyes of {
marion fixed upon hers, colored.
Married! That was what s,
wanted Of life-husband and a hon
like this.
Yes" said Grace slowly. 81 wi
were"
once more life seemed TO Ora
10 be interminable and unutterat
blue. Suddenly she dropped into
chair and covered her face with h
hands. II was only by strong efrc
that she kept from bursting into tea
Mrs. DRAWINGS hand patted h
shoulder.
There, don't worry" said NJ
Branning. I'm going TO find you
husband-a nice mani"