Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1931-12-02
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
"Just Over the Boundary Line" an
Interesting Short Story Writ
ten by Rose Meredith

ten by Rose Meredith
I'm WARBURToN stood on the
y hill where the dividing line sepa-
rated the Hinman property from the
land of his ancestors, now his own.
The Warburton acres had taken on
a new value when the great motor
highway had cut through part of
the property only to swerve aside
and diverge from the Human
acres and cross the bridge, leaving
the latter property marooned amid
its rich pastures and woodlands.
Perhaps it didn't matter, especially,
Jim was thinking this May morn
ing, for as far as he knew or cared
the Hinman house was still empty
and desoIate. Humans and War
burtons had been unfriendly for
some years-owing to a marriage
that ended in divorce between 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"
He walked along the imaginary
boundary line. remembered some
thing about white birches and. find
ing them, scratched the messy turf
and found an ancient landmark
small square of white stone on
which small lettering was chiseled.
1t proved to mark the property of
James Warburton, in the tyr. 1880. :"
He walked down to the highway
but could not find the other mark
er. 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 it, but what difference
would that make to the Humans
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
weekend in his lonely house heard
strange news from his man of all
work, Hanson
"Yes, sir. Mr.. Warburton, there
be squatters on your property" de
clared Hanson. "Such a nerve"
"Squatters? Gypsies?" asked Jim,
frowning.
Nothing like that Two wimmin
be building a 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 Inconsistencies, to be tres
passin' 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 orch
ards Of dead trees to the open hill
side.
The new bungalow, all silvery
white where ii wasn't stained green
or brown, was there, and from the
kitchen in the rear, came the aroma
of good things to eat-fried chicken,
new asparagus. strawberry short
cake-Jim's mouth watered. Mrs.
Hanson's cooking 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 posi-
ton on the motor road, and be
could see q 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 back
ground was tall, silver-haired
woman in a green dress. and wait
ing on a group of prosperous-look-
ing motorists. was a pretty wait
ress also wearing a short green
frock and a crisp organdie apron
She did not see Jim Warburton I'M
til she had brought dessert to the
large table, then she came to him
with a tumbler Of water and a nap
kin.
Jim Warburton ~ she exclaimed.
''Sylvia-Mrs. MeadeT' he stam-
mered awkwardly. 81 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"
"The old place has been closed
toe long, Sylvia. Now. why can't
you and Miss Hinman come over to
Warburton and stay in the south
wing until you are settled here?"
81 will bring Aunt WinifreG." said
Sylvia and departed without taking