Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 263, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1911 — That Other Girl [ARTICLE]

That Other Girl

By SUSANNE GLENN

Garry Folger drew the small, dingy lamp nearer, and scraUnlsed Ida hankbook thoughtfully. Then he gazed about the low, cheeriest room. **l don't know as It is anyone’s business It ( want a home," he said aloud to strengthen his faltering determination. Tve earned the money and saved It, every penny, rm sick of living about in people’s kitchens. Their say a- man has a legitimate right to make a fool of himself once tn his lifetime!** And so ft transpired that the little community was elec trifled to boar a few days later that Garry Folger had bought the old Norton place and meant to Uv» there hlmselt “It wtll bo pretty lonesome there by yourself, won’t Itr asked friendly neighbors. “it will bo homo, anyway," Garry always answered. One bright March day he moved luto the pleasant kitchen and the little bedroom adjoining. “But It Is my own kitchen." thought Garry exulttngly. It was the first real home the young man had ever known. He bought n fine young team, a cow. and some chickens. He set the place In order and planted the garden st odd moments between the regular work of the farm. And though he was so busy and so happy In hia new possession, a strange fancy seemed to dominate him. Hs wandered dally through the empty rooms, fighting this new desire as be had fought tha one about buying a home. "Though I don't know “ ha admitted with a queer smile, “that a man Is justified to go on making a fool of himself!" One breathless afternoon late In June, the young man stood helpless and embarrassed In the curtain department of a J»lg city store. A girl In a simple white dress came toward him "Ton wish something r* she asked kindly. H« noticed she looked pale and tired. The kindness In her voice banished his uneasiness. “I want curtains—but I haven't any Mea what kind," he smiled. "Tour wife sent you? She did not specify anything—color—material?" "That ta just the point," said Folger, still smiling. T haven't any wife. But I want to get the kind of curtains that she will like when—when she comes to use them." "Oh, 1 see. Yflu are getting the house ready. And she Is so far sway yon cannot ask her?" “That Is it," be said admiringly. “Do you think you could help me?" "I shall be only too glad. But I wish I could see the house—and the girl!" "It is a low, old-fashioned white house in the country, with roses over the porch and a lilac hedge. And the girl—ls small and gentle and has brown eyes." The girl's eyes grew suddenly wistful. “How lovely it must be! And the curtains—there should be nothing but white muslin In a house like that!"

•’Well, rm glad to know It; I’ve always liked that kind, and could they hare trills?" “Ther certainly can. Come and see." With the utmost patience she took oat boxes and boxes. Tftey are not quite right, someway ” she declared with a perplexed frown. “We have some lovely material here—you could get them made, could you not? That would best.” “I’d rather at home, that “Then suppose you get the measure menia and let me make them? I am only substituting afternoons for one of the regular girls. I shall be only too glad.” Garry Folger found himself In the same store a week later with a careful list of figures in his pocket. “It seems a great deal for you to do." he objected. “But I‘ve nothing else to do mornings. It Is vacation, you see. lam a primary teacher.” "I will send them when they are finished, If you will give me your address,” she said, as he prepared at last to depart. - “No, I’ll come for them," said the young man. “We might want to change them some way.” “Perhaps that will be best," answered Alice Dennison demurely. Tbe following week the curtains were finished. “1 wish you could put them all in place,” he said. “You have no Idea how you have helped mel" “Is everything else ready?" “There — there isn’t anything ready except the curtains." admitted Garry helplessly. “1 wish 1 could get everything 1 need right here and you could help me pick things out.” “Why, I’ll help you any day you can come in the morning," she smiled. “There must certainly be something In that house besides curtains!" The buying of furniture may be made a very Interesting occupation. Alice, her thoughts centered upon the white bouse and the slender girl with the brown eyes, chose wisely. Garry will Ingly paid for anything she thought I m Idea what an Ignorant fellow I ass. JNKUmI CMwiiifsoii*** observed •V ir i f £i

for you with the furniture placed as 1 should have it She can change It to suit herself mien she comes." ‘‘You are too good." declared the young man. Next day the, diagrams arrived and Folger wrote a note of thanks. After a week of silence he wrote again for further information. When he called at the curtain department a week later, he found that she was iU v "It is the warm weather," explained her friend, "The city doesn’t agree with Alice, but she cannot afford to get out of It" Garry Folger drove to meet the afternoon train a month later. “It la Just clear providential," he thought “that this vacancy occurred In our school. It Is certainly just the place for Miss Dennison. 1 hope she will like it and that Squire Green will like her!” The girt looked worn and 111 as she came up to him on the platform. ‘This is so kind of you," she said quickly. 'lt ta just the chance 1 have wanted. I do hope they will want me!" The short drive to Squire Green's was made In silence. Folger waited in the buggy for her. When she came smiling down the walk he knew she had the school. “Will you let me show you the house before you go?” he asked gently. T should love It" she answered, still smiling. When he helped her down at his own gate she wandered about the flow-er-filled garden while he tied the horse and unlocked the door. She followed into the spotless parlor. ' He flung open the windows and turned to her. “No one has ever seen this room except you and myself." he said. "It la lovely," she breathed. “I never Imagined It would be so pretty—and the garden is a dream. You did It alone? How pleased she will be!"

“Listen to me. Miss Dennison. “You do not understand any more than my neighbors do. When 1 was a mere baby Mr. Folger and his wife took me and gave me a name 'and a home. When they were gone I lived about the neighborhood working when I could and going to school as I might “I do not know my name, or my age, or my parents Through all tbe years of my childhood, 1 dreamed of having a mother who cared for mo as other boys’ mothers did. Since 1 have become a man I have dreamed of a home' —and a wife. I had money and 1 bought this place, thinking It would be home to me. But the empty rooms mocked me. It wasn’t home, after all I dreamed of the sort of girl 1 should like to bring here. I filled the garden with flowers for her. I furnished the house —with your heaven-sent help. I have been a fool In a fool’s paradise!” “Then there—ls no girl?” she asked sbftly. “There wasn’t when I began," he answered quietly. “And now that there Is. what have I to offer her?" “You said she was small and gentie and had brown eyes," reproached the girl. “She Is —she has," he responded miserably. “I think you have a great deal to offer her.” The girl’s voice faltered iui her eyes wandered through the muslincurtained window to the fragrant garden. “Alice!" He held out his arms to her. She put her steady tittle hands into his trembling ones. “If you only knew, Garry," she said happily, “how I have envied that other glrll”