Hyder weekly herald., 1931-12-19
Just Over the Boundary Line
By ROSE MEREDITH

the Hinman property from the land
 or his ancestors, now hls own. The
 WarburtOn acres had taken on a new
 value when the great motor highway
 had cut through part of the property
 only to swerpe aside and dlverge from
 the Hinman acres and cross the bridge,
 leaving the latter property marooned
 amid its rich pastures and woodlands.
 ~erhaps 1t didn't matter especially.
 Jim was thinking this May morning.
 for as far as he knew or cared the
 hinman 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 Hlnman worth
 looking at in this world," gloomed Jim
 Warburton. "and that was Sylvia-and
 she turned me down fiat for that
 Meade fellow. Don't know as 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 blrches and finding them, scratched the messy turf and found an ancient landmark-a small square ot white stone on which small letter. Ing was chiseled. It proved to mark the property of James Warburton, in the "yr. 1S30." He walked down to the highway but could not find the oth- CT 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 Hinman property would have bordered on it, 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.
 week later. Jim, coming back home from the county seat for week. end In his lonely house heard. strange news from his man of all work, Han. son.
 Yes, sir. Mir. Warburton, there be squatters on your property" declared Hanson. "Such a nerve"
 "Squatters? Gypsles?" asked Jim, 1 drowning.
 "Nothlng like that! 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 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 silyery white where 1t 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 take advantage of the coveted po- sition on the motor road. and he could see a number of cars parked on the private road on the other side that led to the Hinman house.
 Inside the little house 1t was cozy enough. Green tables set with worn but exquisite damask. and dainty old china and silver. In the background was tall. silver-haired woman in Il green dress. and waiting on a group or prosperous-looking motorists, was pretty waitress also wearing a 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 tnmbler of water and napkin.
 "Jim Warburton '" she exclaimed. "Sylvia-Mrs. Meade?" he stam- mered awkwardly. "I never dreamed t could be you or your aunt" Why not?" she asked lightly, still with that blush of embarrassment. anu hIuSt uNe~dHu me OIu ! house Is too far back from the road to ne profitable-and we even plan to sleep here. because it is so lonely down here in the woods" ."The old place has been closed too ; ong, Sylvia. Now. why can't you and Miss Hinman come over to Warburton md stay in the south wing until you Ire settled here?"
 "I will bring Aunt Winifred," said f Sylvia and departed without taking his i 'rder at all. Later on, the three dined , micably together. and Jim told them I hat he had come there intending to 'ust them from his land. | Your land?" repeated Sylyia's thrill k ng voice. "Why. Jim. we have the | Id deeds. you know. and the line is s curve from the white mark up above f Q the three birches opposite the mag