Show WANTED A GUIDE by ADA MAY STEVENS lla 1921 by ble mcclure clure newspaper I 1 it was partly the fault of the dog he fie is much too impartial as collies are apt to be ile he spent his time innately among his admiring neighbors neighbor ii three of them had houses just like his masters how should lie know which b MRS as which since all gaie gae forth bonear eslI were I 1 a dog but you on shall see foia fora fellow just reco recovering ering from an attach of nerves to meet things as unstable ble as tills this log dog and the furniture of maple street Is demoralizing what it la Is I 1 chose my cousins froni from the list of possible visiting places because it was quiet even lie file town Is quiet of file ohp house one had reason to expect a special stability alfred explains fit at length thit I 1 have not been betrayed but judge for yourself my cousin met me upon my arrival for it happened that I 1 hid had never visited vi stel him since he moved to westgate we topped stopped before a piazza in duplicate passing through a duplicate door into what afterward I 1 found to be fi a duplicate hall except in in alfreds hall was only a table find and fl a chair it was restfully vacant from its q plain walls scant furnishings to the lie cheerful little wife find and pleasant home atmosphere I 1 felt at al last lait la it I 1 had found folind peace I 1 rested well nell that with the interest of a stranger in town I 1 went out next day proud to in take ke my first trip alon alone e I 1 felt duly or unduly elated returning I 1 ran confidently up the stepi where sat billy the cat I 1 opened the hall door to be greeted by major the log dog rut but the hall looked unfamiliar there a tall clock in the corner and a formidable in hatrack almost challenging the flip way like R soldier or Is it a burglar suddenly scenting danger I 1 came to tiptoe position I 1 craned toward the door into the sitting room did you yott want to see alfred po er ile ho lives next door the voice was sweet and the lend head that follo followed ned it was pret pretty t y buti but I left as precipitately as though followed by a bristling warrior with all swords drawn there Is little satisfaction in apologizing for a frankly boneheaded bone headed intrusion even to a R pretty face so I 1 left at once once with my ll 11 apology traill trailing ng over my shoulder alfreds wife ling has a pleasant laugh and the mirth of cousins Is more healing that than of brothers so I 1 picked up courage once mo retook back my rash vow that I 1 would never appear in public again without a keeper and went down street on the alie following afternoon I 1 went early and returned late tills this time I 1 left nothing to chance I 1 counted my steps step from the corner to the hijii house I 1 looked first at the numbers find and then at the hie draperies and house plants in the windows I 1 carefully avoided nil all piazzas where reposed any of our household pets then I 1 boldly v walked w in heavens Heaven sl what had I 1 done not an article was fa camillar millar by the stairs stood a road broad old fashioned couch a mack black walnut wardrobe and a crockery umbrella rack grinned from separate corners the accustomed chair w where here I 1 usually draped my coat was gone St standing dirig bewildered I 1 clutched clied my falling failing sena senses and uttered the thoughts within rup me have I 1 gone mad again where am I 1 where am IT I 1 I 1 cried in the loud voice ordinarily used for such crises as calls for help or fire As though it were a sign signal al the lights went up A cool voice came down the hall why cousin tow tom Is that you then she went into spasms of laughter yes alfreds wife Is a cheerful soul but I 1 neier neer before bedfor e realized what a useless thing her laugh could be between shrieks she gasped no wonder you dont know whore where you are oil oh toni you look too funny tor for words do borgle w ms explain yourself I 1 intoned with much dignity realizing that only so could I 1 bring her to herself why you see she laughed the things came from alfreds fathers house while you were gone and we put them around at once that a loie of a couch truly you dont have to look so wild but after yesterday she was hopeless find and helpless I 1 left her its all very ery well viell to soothe ray my feelings and explain things to me anyone lu in my condition can call tell you just how livia soothing it Is I 1 utterly refuse to go abroad alone again in this town meanwhile I 1 find the plaza piazza just the right length for pacing and I 1 spend my tinie time teaching major and billy the delights of honne home in a place like this some gulde guide Is necessary |