New Britain herald., 1927-03-01

the old house didn't look like the old house at all. but like a brand new one.
 There was a snapshot of the old ' backyard which Robbie never { would have recognized except for the two-car garage with Its many paned windows. The windows were wreathcd with some kind of vine now. and near the garage was stone drinking fountain for birds.
 There was an awning over the back porch and more vines fes- tooncd the railing. They looked 1 like trumpet vines.
 | Whoever heard of such a thing,' cried Robbie. Her voice 1 broke on wild sob as she flung the pictures down on the hall ta- 1 ble. Getting house all ready | when l told hin-TOLD him not to- She burst into a storm of 1 hysterical tears while Mrs. Mangan i looked al her. her curranty eyes as 1 big as raisins with astonishment.
 Well, that's nothing to cry about, honey duck" she murmured comfortingiy. With one hand she stroked the girls shaking shoulders and with the other she plcked up the phot ographs and squinted at thom. one by one.
 Hes got to live somewhere, ] suppose" she went on. sensibly, and he's sure 10 enjoy this house. It's fixed Up real pretty. ain't it" My, 1 always did want one of them there hird-baths for my yard. Aint that elegant, though? Now. now honey, don't take on so Amt no man worth ito
 T know-but I hate to think of him spending all that money for nothng,' wcpt Robbie, her lovely head on the faded calico shoulder of Mrs, Mangan's house dress. her smooth petal-like cheek against Mrs. Mangan's dried-up cheek. Tt
 it hurts me to think of him planning all that for me. when I've just written and told him I'm going to m-m-marry som ebody else. No girl w-w-wants 10 hurt her best friend like that"
 She broke away from the good woman. and started up the stairs.
 "No girls happy unless shes making some man unhappy. l know that" sniffed Mrs. Mangan, but only to herself. as she watched the small pink figure with is blond crown of hair climb the stairs,
 Her own private opinion was that Robbie Ransom was playing fast and loose with the honest love of the Man Back Home.
 But Robbie was anything but happy that night. IL hurt her right down to the bottom of her heart to think oi Andy hopefully spending his money 10 build a home for her when she was never coming home. She fairly achcd with pity for him.
 Maybe he'll find someone elsc though. when he knows he can't have me-" she told herself, and fell asleep on that thought.
 But the next morning when she went down 10 breakfast and Mrs. ManCan said much the same thing to her she all but snapped her head off.
 "The Man Back Nome probably won't keep bachelors hall very long in that cozy house he's fixed up." the good landlady remarked as she stood at the cook stove try ing out the chicken fat that she used for shortening.
 They always say that the bird will fly in if you leave, the door Of the cage open" she went on as if to herself. "Td be willing to bet that this time next year, some lit- tle bride'l be livin' right there with the bay trees and the bird bath and the trumpet vines, not to mention the Man Back Home, him. self"
 "Oh. you would, would you?" asked Robbie trying to keep her sudden irritation out of her voice. Wei. I'll bet you a new Ford car that there won't be any little bride walzing around that house next year or the year after! You don't know Andy Jerrold. He doesn't change his mind every time the