The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-12-09
The House That
Larry Built
By JANE OSBORN

fO4Iy b ScnOOl udu gone dDTOdU
for the summer vacation, but Polly
had bought a little roadster instead.
And nov 1t was nearly the first of Sep
temher and she felt somehow as if she
hadn't had quite such satisfactory
vacation as she had hoped.
Now she stood in Larry Blair's ga
rage while a mechanic crept under her
trim iittle car to see just why it was
that the engine had begun to pound
50 hard that she had stopped here for
help. An idlelooking young man
waiting for his car was talking to the
six-foot gray-eyed man in Overalls
whom The others referred to as BOSS"
Nice house you're building next
door" observed the waiting young
man. Whats your idea?"
Polly's eyes suddenly met those Of
the gray-eyed- young man. He smiled
ap a most friendly manner and Polly
smiled back. II don't know just what
i SHAH do" said he. IF my grill
have me, then I'll marry and settle
down. But If my girl won't have me.
f,.en III sell It,"
ASKED herr queried the other.
mot Sn so many words" returned
Larry, the boss, "but-oh, she won't
want me, so l won't need the house.
What do you want to offer me for it,"
The idling one made no offer and
the subject of conversation was
changed. Just then the mechanic got
out from under Polly's car and told her
he thought everything was all right
and she could pay the boss. She
started to pay Larry
wait" said Larry, handing back
the money Maybe I'd better try that
car myself" Larry was in the car
and had driven it few feet out of
the garage when 1t stopped and ap-
peared to jump. With difficulty Larry
backed It into the garage. There's
something special that car needs" he
said. ",t won't cost any more-but
it needs a new part"
Polly was distressed. Dear me-"
she said, I'm ten miles away from
home"
ut happens that I am going along
that way" said Larry. maybe you'd
let me drive you home"
So it was that Polly drove ten miles
over the highway with Larry. Larry
never spent so much time on ten miles
before in his life. He apologized, say
ing that there was something the mat
ter with his car. 81 don't mind in the
least" said Polly. Il have been en-
joying the scenery"
$50 have l." said the bold Larry,
int nOlly'S nratty fapa
The next morning Larry brought
back Pollys car.
"How are you going to get back"
Polly answered and Larry told her
that he'd stand on the highway and
get a lift from some truck or other.
That is why she felt it was her real
duty to take Larry back again to his
garage.
1.-THE scenery is even more beautiful
to look at today than it was yester
day." said Larry Then said Polly:
ut will be very convenient for you,
living there right beside your garage.
The house is nearly done-you'll soon
be moving in. suppose"
THAT depends on the girl" said
Larry wistfully.
I'm sure you and she ought to be
very happy" sighed Polly. THAT is
to say-the house looks so convenient,
and I'm sure it would be very nice liv-
ing so near ones place of business. l
cannot imagine a girl changing her
mind after she had once given you her
word or at least made you think she'd
marry you. You see overheard what
you were telling that man in the ga
rage yesterday"
as that SOL" exclaimed Larry.
"Well, | oughtnt to be so careless
about how l tell secrets" They had
reached the garage and Larry could
think of no excuse to detain the little
school teacher. But the teacher de-
tanned herself.
"You don't mind my looking through
the house." she asked. "Tm so fond
of new houses"
Larry insisted on accompanying her.
sit is neat little place, isn't it?' he
said, looking down at Polly as they
stood in the middle of the perfectly
equipped little kitchen. But I'm not
going to let the girl marry wear her
cell out WORKING. Ill going W Keep
8 cook for her."
eff she really loved you she wouldn't
mind cooking for you," said Polly.
eff she didn't really love mel" re-
peated Larry looking sadly about.
s'How l wish I knew ~
"Why don't you ask herr" ventured
Polly, and then the realization that
this big man, Larry, was trying to
make love to her came rushing upon
her. She didn't have time to think it
all out-whether it would be possible
for her-well-bred school teacher-to
marry man who begrimed his hands
with the grease Of automobiles. But
when Larry went toward her with
pleading, outstretched arms she met
him half way.
"But, Larry" she said, looking up
to him as he held her, 81 don't like
to feel that I've taken some other
girls place"
"You don't suppose there ever was
any other girl" accused Larry. IL
liked-liked you lot-frst time l
saw you / was building this house