The Elbert County tribune., 1908-11-26

benefit therefrom. and reference to
them always Indicated that her spirits
had reached the zero point.
Let us go out" suggested. feeling
that something must be done to cause
diversion; even II we get wet. it
will be better than staying here"
So we donned our rain coats and
walked through the little village. with
its modest frame dwellings and oc-
casional pretentious hotel, UP a hill
and straight out on bluff overlook
ing the sea. There. isolated and alone,
was a vacant cottage with covered
veranda.
shall never forget our first sight
OF the ocean-all gray like the en-
veloping fog, except where the white
crested waves rolled highest, with
wonderful green shadows and opales-
cent lights. AS we looked, the mist
lifted, the sun came out. and we saw
the vast Atlantic stretching away into
space, restless, awesome, and IRE
sistibly alluring. with Its vague sug-
gestion of hidden marvels just beyond
the horizon.
Elizabeth beckoned from the turn
OF the veranda, which ran quite about
the house, and we Joined her. speech
less with admiration. Evidently the
island ended here in sharp point,
for while on ore hand was the ocean,
on the other was water also, but
closely dotted with little green ISL
ands. gay with flowers and COM
fortable-looking houses. Just beyond
was the strip of land we knew to be
the border of the United States.
High above, upon the bluff, stood the
little cottage. commanding an unob-
structed view on every side. There
was an air of coziness about it, de-
serted though 1t was. which made us
homesick in spite of ourselves. 1t was
built of shingle. now beautifully gray
and weather-beaten, and had fascinat-
ing latticed windows and overhanging
gables. with an outside chimney of
rough stone. Anything more unlike
the clapboard houses of the village
could not be imagined.
How | would like to get inside,"
exclaimed Elizabeth, longlngly.
There amt no reason you can't"
lost my balance, but turned to meet
the intruder.
He seemed entirely harmless, mere
ly an old man with door key, who
explained that he was the caretaker
and came up after each rain to be
sure that everything was all right;
SO we followed him eagerly.
If the outside of the cottage was
attractive. the inside was irresistible.
1t consisted of a moderately large liy-
Ing room with stone fireplace
small dining room, smaller kitchen,
three bedrooms, a bath and a little
square entrance hall.
1t was furnished, too. AS Gabrielle
said. modestly, it could not have been
done better had we attended to 1t our
selves. There were large, comfortable
wicker chairs and couches, upholstered
in chintz, chintz hangings, delightful
little tables. and, last, but not least,
generous supply of the necessaries of
life In the shape of bed and table lin
en-, cooking utensils, table appoint
ments of china and plated ware, and,
in short, everything one could desire.
"Oh!" exclaimed Elizabeth, after ex-
hausting her supply of adjectives,
how ] should like to spend the sum-
mer right here!"
WELL" returned the care takcr.
"the house is to let"
1t was the beginning of the end. We
all knew It privately, although we did
no more than casually ascertain the
rent; but Elizabeth conversed aside
with the old man, while Gabrielle
tried each chair in turn, and discov-
cred light arranged over the couch
where one might lie and read luxuri-
ously on stormy evenings.
"Of course" said Gabrielle, as we
turned reluctantly away. at is out of
the question for US to take it."
"Of course" we echoed; but Eliza
beth added that the rent was ridic-
ulously low, and l referred to the
view from the window and the utter
absence Of vines or any sort of ver-
dure, so necessary to combating hay
fever
We wanted to go back along the
shore as far as possible, so descended
a very steep little flight of steps lead
ing down to small shed or boat
house, belonging to the cottage.
A woman stood on the little slip.
looking out over the water. She turned
as we approached, and / recognized
Mrs. Graham. The keen air had
brought little color into her face,
but her lips looked blue and pinched,
and her voice, as she responded to my
surprised greeting, shook uncontrol-
lably.
Il am waiting for my husband" she
said. HE went out early this morn
ing in his boat, and has not yet re-
turned. Our cottage is just beyond
the bluff, but had no idea we were
yOur neighbOrs"