Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-08-07

knew the coast, whereas Master Stan
hope pinned his faith to the Nautical
Almanac and the rules.
The people most concerned knew
nothing of these proceedings.
When Constance and Enid had SOL
emnly decided On the menu for dinner.
when they had inspected the kitchen
and commended the cleanliness of the
cook, Jackson; when they had washed
the dishes and discovered the where
abouts of the ''tea things" they sud-
denly determined that it was much
nicer aloft in the sky parlor than in
these dim little rooms.
II don't see why they don't have
decent windows" said Enid. "Of
course it blows hard here in gale,
but just look at that tiny ventilator, no
bigger than ships portfolio, with a
double storm shutter to secure it if
you please, for all the world as If the
sea rose so high!''
Constance took thought for awhile.
Il suppose the sea never does reach
this height" she said.
Enid, in order to look out, had to
thrust her head and shoulders through
an aperture two feet square and three
feet in depth. They were in the living
room at that moment-full seventy feet
above the spring tide high water mark.
Sixty feet higher the cornice of the
gallery was given it's graceful outer
slope to shoot the climbing wave crestS
of an Atlantic gale away from the Ian
tern. The girls could not realize this
stupendous fact. Brand had never told
them. He wished them to sleep peace
fully on stormy nights when he was
away from home. They laughed now
at the fanciful notion that the sea
could ever so much as toss it's spray
at the window of the living room.
They passed into the narrow stair
way. Their voices and footsteps
sounded hollow. It was to the floor
beneath that Bates had fallen.
II don't think like living in light
house." cried Enid. "It gives one the
c~eeps."
Surely there are neither ghosts nor
ghouls here" said Constance. 'It is
modern, scientific, utilftarian in every
atom of it's solid granite"
But Enid was silent as they climbed
tie steep stairs
Once she stopped and peeped into
her fathers bedroom.
',That is where they brought me
when 1 first came to the rock" she
whispered. "It used to be Mr.. Jones'
room. 1 remember dad saying So"
Constance, on whose shoulders the
reassuring cloak of science hung some
what loosely, placed her arm around
her sisters waist in a sudden access Of
tenderness.
You have improved in appearance
since then. Enid" she said.
what wizened little chip I mus
have looked. wonder who am"
Il know who you soon will be if yor
don't take care"
Enid blushed prettily. She glanced
at herself in a small mirror on the
wall. Trust woman to find a mirror
in any apartment.
81 suppose Jack will ask me to mar
~ him." she mused.
.'And what will you reply?"
The girls lip parted. Her eyes shone
for an instant; then she buried hel
face against her sisters bosom.
"Oh, Connie" she walled, 81 shall
hate to leave you and dad. Why hasn't
Jack got a brother as nice as him
self?"
Whereupon Constance laughed loud
and long.
The relief was grateful to both
Ends idea of happy solution Of the
domestic difficulty appealed to theil
easily stirred sense of humor.
Never mind, dear" gasped Con
stance at last. 'You shall marry youl
Jack and invite all the nice men to
dinner. Good gracious! I will have
the pick of the navy. Perhaps the ad
miral may be a widower."
With flushed faces they reached the
region of light. Brand was writing a,
a small desk in the service room.
something seems to have amused
YOU" he said. 81 have heard weird
peals ascending from the Depths
Connie is going to splice the ad
miral." explained Enid.
What admiral?'
"Any old admiral"
Indeed / will not take an old ad
miral," protested the elder.
'"Then you had better take him wher
he is lieutenant" said Brand.
This offered too good an opening tt
be resisted.
Enid has already secured the lieu
tenant" she murmured. with a swift
glance at the other.
Brand looked up quiZzically.
Dear ne" he cried. IF my con
era atulatioaS are not belated'-
Enid was blushing again. ssSe threw
her arms about his neck.
Don't believe her, dad" she said
"She's jealoust'
Constance saw a book lying on the
table, Negotiations For the Lighthouse
Service" She opened it. Brand stroke6
Enids hair gently and resumed the
xx-riSfDo of hyS dosfv