Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1908 — Hunting a House [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hunting a House

By FRANK H. WILLIAMS.

Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated Literary Press.

Wilson Jangled the big bunch of keys as he inserted one of the number into the lock of a door on a large empty bouse, turned the key and threw the door open. “Step in, Miss House Hunter For Another,” he exclaimed, with a magnificent wave of his hand. Dorothy White laughed as she entered. “I only hope Bertha likes the house we pick out for her," she replied. “Bertha’s the first prospective bride I ever knew that couldn’t find time to go house hunting herself. And Jo Is just as bad. It’s a wonder to me they ever found time enough to decide to get married." ’’While we,” assented Wilson, “not only have time enough to investigate innumerable dwellings for them, but also have so much leisure that we could get married several times if we cared to." “Which we don’t," the girl promptly cried. "I’m going to be a bachelor girl,” she added, with a certain air of defiance. Wilson laughed. "What,” he cried, "a bachelor girl? And with those rose petal cheeks and those twinkling eyes and”— “You mustn’t say those things.” Dorothy, blushing prettily, stopped him. "It’s a cousin’s privilege,” declared Wilson. "But you’re only a third cousin.”

“That’s a good enough excuse," declared Wilson and continued as though

be had not been Interrupted, “and with those lips—those kissable lips!” He advanced toward her. “I’ve heard something more about cousins’ privileges,” be exclaimed. The girl made a quick retreat across the length of the big room in which they were standing to the big bay window that overlooked the porch. “This house seems almost too big,” she exclaimed hurriedly. “It would take a lot of furniture to make It seem cheerful and a lot of people, too, 1 think. 1" “I guess you don’t like your little cousin,” sadly murmured Wilson from his post across the room. . “Oh, pshaw, of course I do!” Dorothy exclaimed, laughing and blushing. "Don’t be a goose!” She hurried on: “I’m sure Bertha aqd Jo wouldn’t car?

for this place. Let’s try another house.” “Plenty more to try," declared Wilson. “I’ve got the keys here for about a million and a half.” And he jangled the keys again. They left the big house, with its big rooms, big bay window and big veranda, and turned away. Wilson consulted a list which he bad In his pocket and then directed their steps into a quiet, pretty, little side street where the houses were mainly cottages with miniature gardens and lawns in front and where a general air of homely coziness and comfort seem to prevail. In the middle of one of the squares stood an especially attractive little home, with a tiny veranda and a tree or two In the front yard. The bouse seemed to have a saucy air, as though it were saying to every one: “I’m all nice and cozy. Don’t you wish you were as comfortable as I am?” The girl clapped her hands when she saw It. “Oh, what a dear little house!” she cried. “Oh, I just love it!” “It’s one of those I’ve got a key for, too," said Wilson. The girl clapped her hands again and, opening the gate, ran up the Ut r tie path to the veranda, where, shading her face with her hands, she peered into the interior. “It’s just a dear!” she cried again as Wilson opened the door and she ran in. From room to room she darted breathlessly; then, the Inspection finished, she sat down on the third step of the stairs which ran from the hall to the second story. “It’s just the thing for Bertha and Jo!” she cried at last. "I know just how they can arrange everything. The front room they’ll have fixed up nice and livable. Jo will have a big easy chair there by the window, where he can smoke and read In the evening, and the piano will be opposite the window. with its side to the wall, so that Bertha can play and yet see Jo while be smokes. And then that open fire—think how cozy It will ba ft# them in the winter!” “Yes, that would be all right for some couples,” said Wilson, “but honestly, Dorothy, do you think that Jo and Bertha with all their money would be content to begin life in a humble cottage like this, in the humble way you suggest?” “Why, Harry, of course they will!” the girl exclaimed in a hurt tone. “When they see what a dear house it is they’ll just fall in love with it. as I have.”

“Maybe.” said Wilson dubiously, “but it strikes me that it would be more suited to—well, say, for example, a couple like us—if we were married. The rent of this house can’t be much, and I haven’t got much money. You're in love with the house, and I’m in love with-it too. Now”— “Goodness!” she exclaimed. “We’ll have to hurry if we're going to investigate all those other houses’” Somewhat sulkily Wilson locked the door of the little house But he and the girl visited no more houses that afternoon, for Wilson very suddenly became converted to the idea thftt Bertha and Jo would be charmed by the little house, and nothing would do but he must see the real estate agent and secure an option on it. The girt demurred at this at first, but Wilson finally convinced her that Bertha and Jo would be mightily pleased at their action in securing such a desirable home for them. The real estate dealer’s office was finally found and the option secured. Then the couple stalled on their journey to Bertha's home, where they would acquaint her with what they had done. > “They'll be very happy there,” said Dorothy somewhat wistfully as they left the office. “Sure they will,” assented Wilson. “Any one could be happy in a little house like that.” For some reason Wilson's mood had become rather joyous. He solicitously took Dorothy’s arm and skillfully guided her through the crowds. It was becoming dusk, and the street lights were not yet out. They turned Into a side street on a short cut to Bertha’s home, which was a big. ornate affair. It looked blatant and uncomfortable. The little house from which Dorothy and Wilson had come by the comparison to them seemed much more desirable. Bertha had not yet arrived when they entered, but a moment after they had seated themselves In the drawing room she flew in. As usual, she seemed very busy and was in a tremendous hurry. “Oh, I’m so glad you came, people!” Bertha exclaimed. “I won’t have to put you people to any more trouble tr/lng to find a house for us. Jo and I managed to find time to look at one this afternoon. It Is a nice big one, has large rooms and a big bay window, and we're just delighted to get it. The agent said yon had been looking at it Walt a minute until I take off my wraps.” She left the Toom. The two young people she had left looked at each other. “And you’ve signed the option!” exclaimed Dorothy. “Yes,” said Wilson, suppressed and eager. “There’s only one thing to do now.” “What’s that?” asked the girl shyly and with averted face. “Take the house ourselves.”\ When Bertha came to the \oor of the room a moment later she did not •nter, as she had intended. She gave one look, saw Dorothy and Wilson Standing in the middle of the room, 'very close together, and then she fled. 'As she fled, though, she heard Wilson agy somewhat tremulously: “Don’t blush so, dear. It’s a cousin’s privilege, you know.”

“THERE'S ONLY ONE THING TO DO NOW.”