The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-03
The Beloved House

I<<TT IS the dearest little house II SS all Oakdale, the dearest little
 house in all the world," declar ed Pamela Crosby, then laughed and called herself Goose '! But I've wanted a home of my own so long worked so hard to get it it's rather gone to my head"
 "Why should you be so crazy for one when you're away all day." said Bess Montgomery.
 "I'm always here to take breakfast with it, 'twinkled Painela, "and we can sit and hold hands evenings. And there's every Sunday-to put up home made pickles and make orange marma' Jade and experiment in pie crust. It's more fun! But come, now you've re covered breath from climbing the hill want to show you everything"
 They were not long going through This pride of her heart was such wee house. Living room, bedroom, bath small kitchen with breakfast nook, tiny front porch, that was all. Yet the whole was charming. For Pamela had wonderful taste in furnishing and had gathered together pieces of old ma hogany and family silver and china long scattered about in the homes oi friends.
 And when it was warm enough fol the door to be open l have this ]" sh' triumphed when back in the living room She flung wide a door at the upper enc and like a beautiful painting framed in the doorway revealed long, marrow slab of lovely wooded canyon with lit tie red-gold path leading into its greer depths.
 Bess Montgomery came away botf amused and touched Pans happiness over her big-as-a-aminute house was pathetic. It showed how little sht had had in life to be happy over. Pool old Pam. It was hard lines for on' who had never lifted her hand to any thing to start out at 40 to earn her owI living Deadly monotonous with hel artistic temperament to stand behlnt a counter day in and lay out. AnC from what Pam had let drop some O her boarding places during the last ter years must have been pretty awful. Pamela's love for the little house flowed on, or rather constantly bubblet up a fountain of gladness in her heart
 You dear thing, could hug you y she caught herself saying aloud one eve ming when from the heat and burdel of the days work she came home to it peace and coolness.
 And although dead tired, after eat | ing the dinner she cooked herself-jus the things she liked in just the wa! | she liked-she felt so rested she sa up far into the night sewing on hel new window curtains. The curtains finished, on other eve nings Pamela hemstitched cloth ant napkins for her tea table, initialed some guest towels, embroidered a sofa cush ion cover.
 It was such fun
 And she was always bringing the lit tie house some surprise" picked up al the noon hour. A darling blue enameled set of muffin pans, mousetrap, gold brown hearth brush with burnt orange tassel on it's handle.
 Then the girls at the store gave her kitchen shower, and for her birth day Bess Montgomery brought ar adorable brass and amber shaded drop light.
 Last of all, Pamela bought the rug for the living room floor left bare all spring and summer because she had not yet saved enough to buy the kind she wanted.
 The evening the new rug was laid Pamela accomplished no sewing. She spent her entire time admiring the glowing old-rose glory spread at her feet.
 And the next morning while getting breakfast she kept running into the living room for just one more look"
 Never had it been so hard to leave the little house as it was that morn ing. Was it altogether the new rugs detaining lure? Or was it premoni tion? Pamela wondered afterward.
 Although d-September, the heat was intense with wind that scoreheC instead of cooled as it whipped her hot cheeks.
 4'This weather's fierce!" declared Sal lie Griffith as she and Pamela removed the dust cloths from the shelves There must be a forest fire some where"
 T kept smelling something burning and was up sniffing out the window half the night" joined in Claire Ed wards, hitting the counters high spot with a huge feather duster.
 Pamela went out for lunch as usua and came back fairly savage over tn wind and dust.
 "It's a perfect gale!"
 ISoon things began to happen in rush.
 Pamela was never clear as to hoy thev first heard. She only knew thu - l