Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-10-30
lets Remodel Paradise 2 Il :..-

flee in this village. II was a good idea.
for there were plenty Of city people
crowding in, all dying TO tear down
old farmhouses and build new farm
houses which would look old Anyhow
that's the way Francis Trait put it
he was an amusing devil.
We met him first at one of Mrs.
Hapgood's big garden parties. Her
parties were amusing, not to say
astonishing, for she chose her friends
from the most varied walks OF life.
She could not seem to coordinate her
tastes. Her huge house expressed this
eccentric catholicism. A deputy sheriff
might find himself annoyed to be
placed next to a female poet at din
ner, and a Gauguin might be dis
played over the Adam fireplace and
in the oldfashioned gardens were
heavy statues imported from Rome,
incongruous against the background of
Vermont hills.
That afternoon the scene looked
gay-young people playing badminton
and lazy people lolling on the terrace
and Mrs. Hapgood beaming at every
body with her wide innocent blue
eyes. She had an ingenious way Of
going from guest to guest inquiring if
they were enjoying themselves.
Tom and Carlotta and ! were stroll
ing through the gardens when we came
upon young man crouching in the
path and staring at the house while
he shaded his eyes with one hand. He
acted as if he had sighted wild
beast. Carlotta demanded anxiously:
do you want the elephant gun or
just the rifle?"
He stood erect. smiled at her and
pretended to receive a weapon. THE
elephant gun. Thanks Now if I
miss. run like the DEVIL"
How could you miss?" asked Car
lotta.
yes, it is pretty big, isn't it? Super
pituitary. Forgive me for criticizing
our hostess's mansion but after all
I'm an architect, and Mrs. Hapgood
has fancy idea that her house could
be more-uh-coZy."
He was a dark good-looking fellow
with the slim build of fine tennis
player and he made Tom look enor-
NOUS Toms contentment was adding
to his original bulk-a surtax content
ment often demands. Funny, though
Carlotta's curves were just as subtle
1
to deal with those things.
After we had introduced ourselves
he said to them: so you're the Gil
braiths! Then it was your charming
cottage Mrs Hapgood was telling me
about Yes, that's what made her dis
satisfied with this case of elephant
iasis.'
He was laughing right into Carlotta's
]
self "You ought to be ashamed to
fled She wants this house to be coy
and quaint"
Tom waved toward the densely pop
ulated lawns. And where are all these
people going to sleep when you tear
down a few dozen bedrooms?'
Pup tents, suppose" said Francis
Trait thoughtfully. They're coy. By
the way, I want to see your place
Couldn't we dash out there? I've got
to find out what Mrs. Hapgood admires
before I make a single suggestion"
This was naturally flattering to-
Carlotta and Tom. They could hardly
wait to show him Paradise Found. I
didn't go along. didn't particularly
like the amusing Francis Trait. Being
lawyer, have to be q good, quick
Judge Of human nature.
Next day 1 saw Tom down the street
and we stopped in at the Tavern for
drink I asked: well, did Trait get
any ideas from your lousy little
shack?"
Tom scowled It guess that's just
what he thought it was. Sure he got
lot of ideas. But not for Mrs. Hap
good. For u.s.
How do you mean?"
"Oh Carlotta could tell you. She took
it all in. But you know how gullible
women are" That was absolutely the
first time had heard Tom criticizing
Woman with Carlotta as the symbol.
II know how they are I said I'M
easily. But that's just how Carlotta
isn't
To my establishment he said: You're
bachelor, Hank. You don't follow the
curvatures Of the matrimonial spine"
looked at my wristwatch. IT'S too
early for wisecracks. What's on your
mind anyhow"
"Oh, finished at Mrs. Hapgood's
and I'm going to Burlington to work
for a month
'Carlotla Is going Win you, lSlll
she? She planned to-didn't She?''
He ordered two more WHISTLES and
sodas. oh not now. Shes going to
stay here and make plans with Frances
Trait for remodeling our house" I
studied his face I didn't like it when
he laughed in that bitter way.
She wants to remodel the house