Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1908-08-28
The First ". .
.BE0)a;ii|l.rI'def.
By Temple Bailey. =
By Temple Bailey.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

!. Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated 4
j. Literary Press. J
-
1t was so different from the usual
summer boarding place that Denton
stopped short and eyed doubtfully the
wide lawn, the massive stone house
and the garden flaming with June
roses. ~. g.. .ss-s
He even looked at the great mastiG
that sauntered toward him with sus-
picious eye. -
80 Look here, old fellow" he said, 'tare
you in a fairy tale, or is this just an
everyday factT' =, - '....
Duke. come here" called a clear
voice, and the dog bounded back to
the porch. i; .., .-.
i Denton followed him. rss3
y "Are you the princessT' he asked of
the owner Of the clear voice. ''
The girl flushed and stared.
'S"I don't understand she STAN
mered.
Denton laughed. II beg pardon"
be ,ap6logized, "for boring you with
my fancies, But this place is SO beau
ttfulS that thought had stepped out
Of zeal life into fairyland and that the
dog was the monster that guarded the
gate and that you were the enchanted
princess. T. Z
The girls eyes twinkled. I'm not
a. princess" she told him. '1'm your
landlady."
Something Of disappointment crept
into Denton's expression.
'"Then you are Mrs. Carter?' he haz-
J arded.
miss Carter" she corrected, and
he looked relieved. "1n the letter that
/ wrote you / signed myself Mehita-
! bel Garter. and I suppose you thought
had gray hairs and wrinkles"
."The name did suggest them," he
unused, watching her sparkling face
| EVERY one around here calls me
Belle" she explained. But of course
when one writes letters to prospective
boarders one realizes that a dignifaed
| name Is an asset,
| Certainly" he agreed and settled
back in his chair, content to listen and
look.
| But his hostess was more energetic.
| "I'n show you your room," she said
and led the way through the spacious
hall and up the stairs to the second
story.
When Denton came down a little
later and found his landlady walking
in the rose garden he said to her
"You needn't tell me. This is an en-
chanted castle. Who ever heard Of
white sbathtubs and nickel trimmings
and pond lily friezes and Circassiaz
walnut furniture for $40 a week?''
A little anxious frown burrowed Mis-,
Carriers forehead. 81. was afraid
was charging too much" she said
rsYou sex, You are my first boarder."u
LIT appeared on further conversation
that there were to, be six other board
era, and they were to, arrive at $50.
Five OF, them are maiden tladies,'
Miss Carter. explained, e''and Iutolt
them they might bring their cats and
lparrets"- ri 5:.,ar2 =, ~ H1>>s1 J..
a*s4And 4 the other oneY Denton de
maaded.A9;s ryaI :T.I .,.,+,s ?,NH> ..;
4""Iss a man.; said Miss Garter, "ant
he wants TO, bring hisaautomobile.'
Denton gazed pensively across thu
garden toward the purple hills. "Alas,
he sighed. ''and brought only type
writer Tie automobile is the dragon
that must slay."e gasy- ~
She istifened little at that; -
II don't think / quite understand
she said: - :. J .s;.,:2.i>s: ,~.:3te &. -,
g"Of course not" Denton agreed quit
cheerfully, "as., q writer OF stories
deal much In metaphor. It. isn't to b,
expected that you would understand
But you Will-some day 81, lso ga4 49,.
! He, switched to other topics ant
learned that the beautiful house, witt
its, beautiful !. furniture, had been tn
GIRLS summer home. That the tfailur,
Of her father in. business and his alb
sence to fdn q position In another cit.
made her decide that the house mus
support itself or be sold. So she: ha.
advertised for. boarders,s and. with tw,
old and trusted servants. she was go
Ing TO- make it pay. i: .s: t;tt }s .yi3
.4sss We raise all of our, vegetab les,''' sh
4 confded "a nd we have our cows ant
4 make butter; and there are plenty @
81 chickens and eggs, Y 5s :5st s{ s. Z
Don't say Il any IS more. & Z. Dento,
4 begged: 81 am hungry enough as it
(: without hearing Of real milk and but
4 ter and eggs II NJ s; Z. s >ss z.S
! & She laughed. Y THE train lis du,
now she said: ..as soon as the othe
]: boar,lers get here we will have sup
per {. S + If. 5s d 81 5; $a t
!, : ! I'D Contrar to Denton's expectations
the, six old maids proved to be delight
i fui comp Three Of them yyer,
I teachers. one Of them wrote for til,
Y magazines one, ha wing a private for
II tune, was something of a globe tro:
. ter and the sixth, being dom eall!
I Inclined had brought the cal, and par
rot, 3 y;
], I he one man was the object OF Den