Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-07-20
THE LITTLE HOUSE
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON


said to her. II want you TO have just
what suits you"
"Oh, Toni May really chooser
cried Maude.
"Of course you may" he laughed
Everything VIII be yours after We are
mHTed.'
Malide had Always been poor. Her
rather had found 1t hard to support his
family, and she had tried TO help. She
was used to giving up the luxurles Of
life, but longed for beautiful things
about her.
Have you any place in mind, or
shall we build to suit ourselvesY" he
asked.
"Ah Tomw She beamed edo you
know the house at the top Of Lincoln
the cupola? I've always thought II
/ could live there I'd be perfectly
happy"
"Of course you can have 1t, II money
win 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
1t was week after that that the
crash came. In the panic the great
house Of Rankin & 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 lie went to the girl he
loved and told her all.
But all is moi lost" she told him.
ave have each other, and our love.
We must marry just the same. You
must let me help. DO you suppose l
would let you meet your struggle
alone2"
DO you mean it2' he cried
,"Yes, |, do We can live on very
little. l know how to economic. Let
us be married at once"
staples has given me an offer.
Maybe we can pun 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 a smile
of cheer, and he never knew.
one day In the early spring an in
SEPARATION came TO her The air was
balmy. Why not have gardeg2 II
would make the old place more t1eer-
full
Enthusiastic over the new idea
Maude began TO dtg. Her mind was
filled with happy thoughts. till Tom
came and found her.
"Why, Glrllel" he cried, isn't this
too hard work for you? What are
you doing2"
I'm going to have a gardenr she
beamed. Her back ached, out she did
not mind
He praised her pink checks and her
food and after supper he wiped the
dishes
All through the summer the garden
was n source Of JOY.
They had lived two years in the little
home, and there was baby's voice
TO make it more happy. One night
Toni came home earlier than usual
His eyes were smiling and she asked
merrily, "What is H. Tom?' for she
knew when he looked like that he had
something of special interest to tell
her.
Things have been going just hne.T
money All fathers debts are paid
with a 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 r she enthused, Il
knew YOU were smart and people
would find t out I'm proud of you !"
IT'S for you I've been working
you and baby. Now can give you the
home you ought 10 have DO you re-
member the house you wanted before
we were married-the one on Lincoln
ayenue2 It's for sale I'm going to buy
It and give it TO you"
She gasped, and her head went down
on his shoulder but she did not speak.
"What is it?' he asked. aren't YOU
glodG"
"Oh Tom You're so good, but"
"But-what Is it,"
Don't buy It, Tom" she blurted
"Why not? Don't you want it, You
can have all the company you want"
How could We leave this dear little
house, where We began together where
baby was horn--and the garden. e
wouldn't be home-do you want to 90
very muchl'
NO, ! don't want TO go, I'm happy
right here, was only thinking Of you
| thought you'd be happier there"
"Then don't buy It." she begged
I'm happier right here, Wen fix up
this place and buy more land-I love
fl so. I couldn't bear to leave IT,"
That's suits me exactly" he
beamed. I'VE have been too happy here
10 leave II, that's fact, and | Ike
the country as well AS you"
tom, you're SO good :" she laughed.
kiss me- I'm SO happyw