Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-01-09
CHAPTER XXXIII.

The one hotel at Sandyseal was full from
the topmOst story to the ground floor, and by
far the larger half of the landlords guests
were invalids sent to him by the doctors.
To persons Of excitable temperament In
search of amusement the place offered no at
fractions. Situated at the innermost end of
dull little bay, Sandyseal-sO far as any
view OF the shipping in the channel was con-
cerned-might have been built on a remote
island In the Pacific ocean. Vessels of any
importance kept well out of the way Of
ueacherOus shoals and currents lurking at
the entrance of the bay. The anchorage
ground was good, but the depth of water
was suited to small vessels Only-to shabby
old fishing Smacks which seldom paid their
expenses, and to dirty little coasters carry
Ing Goals and potatoes. At the back of the
hotel two slOvenly rows of cottages took
their crooked course inland. Sailing masters
OF yachts, off duty, sat and yawned at the
windows; lazy fishermen looked YEARLY at
the weather over their garden gates, and
superfiuOus coast guards gathered together
In a wooden observatory and leveled useless
telescopes at an empty sea. The fiat open
country, with its few dwarf trees and its
NANCY hedges, lay PROSTATE under the sky
In all the des0latiOn of solitary space, and
left the famous restorative air free to build
up dilapidated nerves, without an object to
hinder its passage at any point of the COM
pass The lonely, drab-colored road that led
to the nearest town offered to visitors taking
airings view of low, brown object in the
distance, said to be the convent In which the
nuns lived, secluded from mortal eyes. At
ono side Of the hotel the windows looked on
little wooden pier sadly in want of repair
On the other side walled Enclosure accom-
modated yachts Of light tonnage, stripped OF
their rigging, and sitting solitary on a bank
OF mud until their owners wanted them. In
this neighbOrho0d there was small outly-
Ing colony of shops; one that sold fruits and
fish; one that dealt in groceries and tobacco;
one shut up, with bill in the window invit-
ing tenant and one, behind the methodist
chapel, answering the double purpose of
pOstOffice and storehouse for ropes and
Goals. Beyond these objects there was moth
ing land this was the great charm of the
place. to distract the attention Of invalids,
following the doctors directions, and from
morning to night taking care of their health.
The time was evening; the scene was one
OF the private Sitting-rOOns In the hotel, and
the purpose in view was little tea party.
Rich Mrs. Romsey, connected with COM
merce as wife Of the chief partner in the firm
Of ROmsey & Renshaw, was staying at the
hotel In the interests of her three children.
They were Of delicate constitution; their
complete recovery, after severe illness which
had passed from one to the other, was less
speedy than had been anticipated, and the
doctor had declared that the nervous system
was, In each case, more or less in need of re-
pair. To arrive at this conclusion, and to
recommend visit to Sandyseal, were events
which followed each other (medically speak
ing) as a matter of course.
The health of the children had greatly Inn
proved; the famous air had agreed with
them, and the discovery of new playfellows
had agreed with them. They had made nc.
quaintance with Lady Myrie's well-bred
boys, and with Mrs. Ormond's charming lit
tie Kitty. The most cordial good feeling had
established itself among the mothers. Owing
q return for inequalities received from Lady
Myrie and Mrs. OrmOnd, Mrs. ROmsey had
invited the two ladies to drink tea with her,
In honor Of an interesting domestic event.
Her husband, absent on the continent for
some time past on business connected with
his firm, had returned to England, and had
that evening Joined his wife and children at
Sandyseal.
Lady Myrie had arrived and Mr. Romsey
had been presented to her. Mrs. Ormo nd,
expected to follow, was represented by q
courteous note OF apology. She was not well
that evening, and she begged to be excused.
''This is great disappointment" Mrs.
Romsey said to her husband. "YOu would
have been charmed with Mrs. Ormond-
accomplished. perfect lady.
And she leaves us tomorrow. The depart
ure will be an early one, and shall find an
opportunity, my dear, of introducing you to
my friend and her sweet little Kitty"
Mr.. ROmsey looked interested for a mo-
ment when he first heard Mrs. Ormond's
name. After that he slowly stirred his tea
md seemed to be thinking instead of listen |
ing to his wife.
"Have you made the lady's acquaintance |
lere?" he inquired.
"Yes-and hope have made a friend for !
lie" Mrs. ROlhsey said with enthusiasm.
"And so do l." Lady Myrie added.
Mr.. ROmsey went on with his Inquiries
us she handsome w0manY'
Both the ladies answered the question 70.
ether. Lady Myrie described Mrs. Ormond
one dreadful wOrd-as classical" By /
COMPARISON With this Mrs. Romsey's reply