Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-06
The Evening Story.
Broken Hearted House.

n Was one Oh Gays NLCIl tONlI
folks feel an urgent longing to get
out where the grass is green and
L the trees are budding. Luckily,
Tom Scott had a half-holiday, so
when he quit work at noon he hurried
home to Ellen and Elizabeth, with the
suggestion that they take the seedy old
roadster and strike out for the coun-
try. 1t happened that Ellen had baked
pan of rolls and a loaf cake, SO they
had only to pack the basket. Away
they went, three i'll the seat, Tom driv-
ing, Ellen watching Elizabeth, Elizabeth
watching everything.
An hour later they came to a dirt
road, into which Tom turned. Pres
emily they found lane branching off
from the dirt road. The lane led to an
old house way off in the field under a
gray maple. Ellen wanted to go there,
but Tom had caught a glimpse of a
creek, SO he kept to the road until he
reached the stream, where he parked,
and they all got out.
1t was lovely there beside the clear
water. Tom fixed up fishing pole and
line for Elizabeth and, though it was
only birch wand, a length of Irvine
and bent pin. she nearly caught a
sinner. But Ellen sat on the grass and
gazed at the sky and the hills and the
lovely flats. The old house under the
maple was within her vision and she
studied 1T thoughtfully. Who had built
1t? How old was it? Why had it been
deserted? She asked herself these ulles-
tons. Poor old house, with its broken
windows like wistful, half-blinded eyes,
And the sturdy door, with the worn
door stone before it. The house must
once have been loved; it must once
nave housed happy hearts, young hearts,
brave hearts. But now it was only a
broken-hearted dwelling, wanted by no
one and neglected until it must Crumble
in decay.
Ellen had been a country girl before
she went to the city to find work. She
loved the city now because it had given
her Tom and Elizabeth, a home and a
good living. She knew what they did to
an old house to make it habitable-new
SluIlgIeS ana paneS of glass, a brace
mere, clapboard there And within
paint and paper and whitewash, with
curtains at the windows and geranilms
peeplng between the white folds. with a
WlSp OF smoke curling from the CHM
ney, the sound of a woman singing a
chilo laughing. man whistling, even
proKen-hearted house could be made
20 smile '0S
Sitting with her back against a tree
trunk, Ellen was startled out of her
ueep, pleasant reVerie by a rattIinrr
| ourst OF thunder. Elizabeth was mn.
Illng toward her, Tom close behind.
Lets get these things into the car
II s going to pour" he said.
:. RalndropS began to fall, lightning
Snced the darkened air like bright new
Xni1e, the thunder doomed with threat.
enlng vibrations.
Quick" Ellen said. ITO the old
house-for shelter!'' '-0'
They reached the old house inst an
the rain became a furious douJnno,,,
Tom leaped out of the car and tried
the door. 1t opened and they entered
INTO the quaint low-ceilinged interior.
Ihere was a fireplace with a worr,
stone hearth. Ellen was wild about that
fireplace, immediately picturing it with
a blazing log and a bubbling kettle.
Ellzaoeth found corner cupboard that
eRtranced her Tim liked the strength
OF the beam, the excellence of the
woodwork
Suddenly the door opened and a man
burst in out of the storm.
Hello, folks! Is there room for me?"
ne asked genially. He was a Young
farmer with fine, bright face.
=, In lew minutes they were talking
IKE old acquaintance. Ellen unpacked
the basket and invited the visitor to
supper with them. When he saw that
tnere was plenty of food he accepted
the invitation.
This old house has given me shelter
many time during storms like this"
the visitor said. II always leave the
door unlocked so I can come right in,
the held where work is nearer this
building than my own home over there
behind the hill"
DO you know anything about the
history of this house?" Ellen asked
eagerly.
II ought to. My grandfather, Jim
Borden-I was named for him-built
1t. I was born in it. My parents lived
here until they passed away. 1 had
| married some years before that and
built the house where now live with
my family. 1t is long time since any,
body lived here. And it's a shame, for
It's good stout old domicile yet.
Wouldn't you think some city fellow
would like place of this kind to spend
his Summers in?"
Tom and Ellen exchanged a glance,
Then Tom laughed.
There's an idea. Instead of our GO
ing to my brother Bills camp this
Summer, what say Ellen and Elizabeth,
to our Squatting here? After my vaca-
| ton ends can run back and forth to
my work in the car"
II should love it of all things" cried
Ellen. Elizabeth, you can keep your
playthingS in the corner cupboard. we
will move cut just a few necessarI
things"
After the food was eaten to the last
crumb Tom and Ellen and Elizabeth
got into the car and started for home
while Jim Borden retired to his own
white house behind the knoll. Salts
factory arrangements had been made as
to rent and privileges.
As they rode away down a rain-sweet-
ened lane Elizabeth looked back and
shook her little finger at the house.
Don't you dare run away, for we are
coming back! she cried.
And the old house, the heartbroken
house, seemed to reply with a smile.
The End.