Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1924-02-01
HOUSE OF
HAPPINESS
By AGNES C. BROGAN

woodland way. During past visits
to the country town Judith had often
walked this way with me. | met her
while | visited one summer with my
sister. 1t was the summer of the war,
and Judith was very lonely for the
lover who rushed to his country's aid.
That her lover had returned from
the war I learned, and that Judith's
aunt had died meanwhile. SO, now, /
chose the woodland path, because l
hoped that Judith might be walking
that sunshiny morning the path she
loved to tread. Judith was there as i
approached knew the scarlet turn
ing Of the cape she wore, and l knew
better the sheen of her soft brown
hair, with the sun upon it. Had been
a man instead of white-haired old
woman I should have fallen in love
with Judith Ware. Her very presence
was tonic, her cheeks aglow, her
eyes alight with love of life-love that
was infectious and inspiring. I waved
my lavender scarf at her and she came
running. The same Judith, unsobered.
by marriage. A happy marriage it must
be, indeed, to keep that lightness to
her smile.
Happy" laughed the rosy Judith,
"and why should / not be a happy
woman, with my true love returned
from the war and sharing the little
home we made together? 1t may be
rather far for you TO walk, so, while
you rest here, I'll hasten the way back
and bring Robert from where he is
tied. Robert is our horse, and so dig
nified an animal that we scorn to call
him Bob. l bought Robert for a song,
and the shaky carriage that ages with
him. l came today" went on Judith,
ito gather nuts beneath the trees, TO
get red strawberries, and to find rosy
apples-all for my Richards birthday.
A surprise, you see, which you will be
able to share. I win decorate with the
scarlet berries, the nuts will go on the
pink cake I've colored with fruit juice,
and the apples will be a centerpiece.
Music pupils?" answered Judith to
my questioning. "Oh, yes, l take them
still. Its necessary. But now, you
see, while we must live so far away,
l have to drive to town to give the les
sons"
Must live far away" 1 persisted
my questioning.
Judith nodded her bright head. "Be-
cause of Richards lungs. The doctors
say he must have country Adjourned
hn IN, tho ich-
ards lungs
Her momentary sadness was DELHI
erately put aside. You will love to
talk with Richard" Judith assured me.
HE is full of information upon the
most interesting subjects too,
in his suggestions-if you might have
need to ask of him. And Richard has
not changed in appearance, with all
the terror he has been through; a bit
white about the temples, perhaps, but
the same wave to his hair. De you re-
call" asked a joyously relieved Judith,
chow l used to wonder about him
confide to you all my doubts and
fears?'
useless fears, my dear" I said to
her, call ending now so happily"
Yes, useless" agreed Richards
wife "Why, do you know the name
we bestowed upon our home? The
House of Happiness. Poetic? That's
most appropriate-you
shall see.'
She left me seated on a log, while !
she went for Robert. My arms were /
laden with her gifts of red berries, |
nuts and apples. But soon she was
back, gayly reckoning. l climbed into
the shaky seat beside Judith and we
drove through leafy lanes down a far,
onely way In a clearing of brush /
,pied the little house. 1t was freshly
white, with vines of crimson about the
inv portico. The window glass shone
md Just inside the hallway waited a
vide chair A fireside chair it APP
,eared to be, with low fire glowing
,efore it, to take off the chill of fall.
saw. as Judith loosened my cloak,
hat man sat in the chair, and I won
Tered that Judith's husband did not
rise to welcome her guest.
Mrs Meredith. Richard she pre-
tented me-~my dear friend and con-
will remember-while you
we're away"
The young man turned his face to-
ward me-his fine. white face, with its
,order of silvering wavy hair. Then /
Understood why Judith's husband sat
out his hand TO me-he was
Iopelessly crippled.
But he has no PAIN she FASTENED
0 relieve my apprehension.
His smile warmed the chill away
hat had gathered about my heart IN
ympafhy.
"S0metimes.' he admitted as the III
Ie wife carried her spoils 70 the
itchen. YES. there Is pain; but Ju-
I'm must not know This Is the house
Z happiness only, f0r u rs the abode
4 loVa 1--we" Iudlfh'k husband add