The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-12-11
Just Over the
Boundary Line
By ROSE MEREDITH

the Hinman property from the land
or MS ancestors. now his own. The
Warburton acres had taken on a new
value when the great motor highway
mad cut through part of the property
only TO swerve aside and diverge from
the Hinman acres and cross the bridge,
leaving the latter property marooned
amid its rich pastures and woodlands.
Perhaps 1t didn't matter, especially,
Jim was thinking this May morning,
for as far as he knew or cared the
Hlnman house was still empty and des-
olate. Humans and Warburtons had
been unfriendly for some years-owing
to marriage that ended in divorce be-
tween two members of the families.
There was only one Human worth
looking at in this world" gloomed Jim
Warburton, land that was Sylvia-and
she turned me down fiat for that
Meade fellow. Don't know as I blame
her for I'm not much account and he
has barrels of coin"
He walked along the imaginary
boundary line. remembered something
about white birches and, finding them.
scratched the messy turf and found
an ancient landmark-a small square
of white stone on which small letter
ing was chiseled. 1t proved to mark
the property of James Warburton, in
the ''yr. $780," He walked down to
the highway but could not find the 9TH
er marker. He knew that the line was
a straight one least from white
marker"
If the new highway had only run
on for another fifteen feet some of the
Human property would have bordered
on ii, but what difference would that
make to the Hinmans-Sylvia and her
aunt were the only ones left, and they
lived in New York city.
A week later, Jim, coming back
home from the county seat for a week
end in his lonely house heard strange
news from his man of all work. Han
son.
"Yes, sir. Mr.. Warburton, there be
squatters on your property" declared
Hanson. "Such a nerve"
"Squatters? GypsiesT' asked Jim,
frowning.
Nothing like thatl Two wimmin
be building little bungalow-all
themselves, one of them portable
things, and the outside is nailed with
silver birch logs and there's a sign
a-swinging-'The Green Ladies Tea
House-Shucks, to be trespassin' and
ALL"
After the early dinner, Jim. cool.
satisfied that Hanson's story was
somewhat exaggerated, walked down
the long garden. through the rustic
gate and across the old orchard Of
dead trees to the open hillside where
scattered birches marched down the
hill to the new highway.
The new bungalow, all silvery white
where it wasn't stained green or
brown, was there, and from the kitch-
en- in the rear. came the aroma of good
things to eat-fried chicken, new as
paragus, strawberry shortcake-Jim's
mouth watered. Mrs. Hanson's cook
ing was below par. He frowned again
and walked up to the white birches.
to look at the boundary mark. He
could see the little bungalow, built just
inside the Warburton property, so as
to IKE advantage Of the coveted po-
sition on the motor road, and he could
see number of cars parked on the
private road on the other side that
led to the Hinman house.
Inside the little house it was coy
enough. Green tables set with worn
but exquisite damask, and dainty old
china and silver. In the background
was a tall. silver-haired woman in
green dress, and waiting on group
of prosperous-looking motorists, was 4
pretty waitress also wearing short
green frock and crisp organdie
apron. She did not see Jim Warbur-
ton until she had brought dessert to
the large table, then she came to him
with tumbler of water and napkin.
"Jim Warburton !" she exclaimed.
"Sylvia-Mrs. Meade?" he STAN
mered awkwardly. Il never dreamed
it could be you or your aunt"
"Why not?" she asked lightly, still
with that blush Of embarrassment.
"Auntie and | must live-and the old
house is too far back from the road to
be profitable-and we even plan to
sleep here. because it is so lonely down
there in the woods"
1.-The old place has been closed too
long, Sylvia. Now, why can't you and
Miss Human come over to Warburton
and stay in the south wing until you
are settled here?"
81 will bring Aunt Winifred." said
Sylvia and departed without taking his
order at all. Later on, the three dined
amicably together. and Jim told them
that he had come there intending to
GUST them from his land.
"Your land?" repeated Sylvia's thrill
ing voice. "Why, Jim, we have the
old deeds. you know, and the line Is
a curve from the white mark up above
to the three birches opposite the mag
nolia tree on your south Iawnl So we
are on Hinman property and your gar
den trespasses a bit, but what Is that
between neighbors?"
Jim blushed. "You said Meade did
not come with your"
Sylvia laughed. "Why should he?
When ! refused him, he married a
charming actress and lives In Holly
wood"
"Then." exclaimed Jim, suppose we
90 outside and discuss the boundary