Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-09
THE EVENING STORY

why's and wherefores of the new job
he was undertaking.
Evening brought them back to Ce-
darville. Cedarville, they found. hadn't
been standing still In their absence.
Cedarvire had grown up. They TAXED
to a great new hotel. They were a
bit bewildered by this lively new &C.
darville. Not a soul they knew any
where In sight.
Next morning they started out to
find the little white house. Suppose
1t had burned down or been moved
away or built over into some unrecog-
niZable shape? Nell's eyes misted.
They found the street and 1t was
much the same. for Cedarville had
moved on toward the railway station.
And they found the house. Nell grab
bed Sidneys arm. She couldn't speak.
Gosh al friday Look at that maple
I6 wasn't any thicker through than my
finger when set 1t out!" Sidney ex-
claimed.
| Upon the front door was sign "For
Sale" They peeked In all the lower
windows 1t was so dirty and shabby,
and battered, poor little house. It
needed mothering dreadfully. Nell, re-
membering how it had looked when she
left 1t, felt lump rise in her throat.
They went around and sat down upon
the sagging back steps. Nell saw that
the valley lilies she had set out were
great patch now. She stared at them
wistfully, recalling the April morning
when she had set out the few plants
somebody had given her. 1t WAS one
of those times when their income and
expenses refused to come out even, and
they had only mush and milk for din
ner But what matter? They we're
young and healthy and happy and
awfully in love.
Voices, steps. A child came first,
then girl, round the corner Of the
house. The boy was sunny haired, a
gallant 2-year-old In blue rompers. The
girl, his mother, was young eager, alive.
and so pretty that one didn't notice
how shabby were her dress and hat.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, startled. "I
didn't know anybody was here! Were
you thinking of looking at the house,
too?"
mo" replied Sidney, while Nell
hungrily eyed the child. Were Just
resting for a bit. that's all. Hope
we're not In your way"
"Oh, mol" The girl looked relieved,
finding that they were not prospective
buyers.
Meanwhile, Nell had got hold Of the
boy, making friends by way Of candy
she had found in her bag. He crunched
the hard sweet with his white baby
teeth and grinned.
1--WE got the key here" said the girl
1.-THE real estate man said I could come
and look around. Maybe you'd like to
60 in with me?"
They went In. Nell carried Jimmie
as they strayed from room to room.
II don't know" murmured the girl.
"The price Is more than we expected
to pay. But it's nice and quiet out here
Steve said I could go ahead and pick
out q place. He's busy all day, and
tired at night. I wish you folks would
tell me what you'd do In my place"
"I should take it." Nell said prompt
ly. "Of course, it's terribly dingy, but
little paint and fresh paper will
change all that. Just tell the real estate
agent that he's got to allow you some
thing toward alterations. He will, I'm
sure. Have you noticed this dear little
corner cupboard? And this closet I'M
der the stairs? Just the place for your
husband to hang away his coat. And
wouldn't a red geranium look nice on
that windowsill7 Upstairs. that small
room over this one will be fine for the
; boy. And the sun will shine across his
little bed all morning"
at believe I'll take it." said the girl.
did you notice the lilies and that
splendid maple tree?"
Il believe I did" answered Nell.
They went away leaving the girl with
: the house But that evening they came
!, back again. The moon was shining,
they had planned to sit on the steps,
but just as they approached the front
door opened and out came tall yong
, man and q girl. They locked the door
their door, behind them.
They were the incest couple. Steve, "
' Nell heard the girl say. Just like
] what hope you and I shall be when
!. we get to be their ages. You'd have
thought they'd lived here once them
selves by the way they knew about
everything. If it hand't been for her
I don't know as should have felt we
could have It, but don't you see what
a dear little home it's going to make
us?"
you're q wise little woman, Daisy"
returned Steve.
/ In the shadow Nell squeezed Sidneys
| arm. She sighed thankfully The ut
tie house was in good hands again, that
was evident.
| THE END.
II (Copyright, 1920