The Elbert County tribune., 1908-12-24
CHAPTER v.

After all, 1t was Gabrielle who firse
opened the door in our wall of reserve
and allowed Gordon Bennett to pene-
trate beyond it. and in the light of
after events ! was very glad. indeed.
/ was not responsible. 1t happened
this way.
She had washed her hair and gone
out in che sun to dry 1t, taking book
and box of chocolates to help pass
away the time. and, after wandering
about little, had established herself
at the top of the flight of s.eps leading
down to the boathouse. as the most Sc
cluded as well as the sunniest place
she could find.
Gabrielle's hair IL reddish brown,
and when the sun shines upon 1t there
are gold threads which glitter exceed
ingly, SO we tell her she makes point
of going out of doors to dry 1t; but she
says this is SANDER, and she does
1t because fresh air and sunshine are
good for the scalp. Anyhow, she
went. And she also borrowed Eliza
beth's ivory comb with the silver back,
because Its teeth are very wide apart.
and therefore acceptable when it
comes to getting out the tangles. Now.
this especial comb is solely for orna-
ment. and lies in state upon Eliza
beth's dressing table, with the brush
beside 1t; they belong to set brought
her from Japan, and have associations
which render them sacred, SO I was
astonished at Gabrielle's vandalism in
proposing to desecrate It,
Just what really happened l don't
know; l believe she got to dreaming
out there in the sunshine. but this is
what she said:
81 was sitting quietly reading when
! heard little thump, and there was
that miserable comb balancing on the
bottom step. OF course went after
1t, and of course before got there 1t
toppled over and went through a
crack of the slip into the water"
THAT slip is hoodooed," interrupted
Elizabeth. "Why don't you do as /
do, and keep away from it,"
'It was low tide" continued Gabri-
ellie, "and l could look through the
crack and see 1t lying on the sand be-
meath the water, SO took stick and
tried to poke it out. / got along very
well by progressing from crack to
crack, but at the critical moment
got excited and poked too hard, and
1t shot out Just beyond my reach. That
made me wild, for / knew l couldn't
face Elizabeth without 1t, SO l simply
lay down and grappled with my stick
"Well?" l inquired, as she paused
with reminiscent chuckle.
well, as / was lying there with
my face the color OF boiled lobster
fishing away for all was worth,
heard a voice say; Allow me- and
there he was in a sailboat, the picture
Of GOODNESS and comfort. He rolled up
his sleeve, though. and went to work
and finally got 1t, then calmly landed
and introduced himself. saying some
thing about having been unfortunate
In his visits"
Then was your opportunity to be
dignified and squelching." I inter
rupted. "You should have frozen him
with a glance"
81 tried to-" she returned, but al
at once I remembered my hair, and
who could be dignified then?"
$50 you brought him home with
you as a reward of merit" laughed
Elizabeth. 'T shall never forget how
you looked as you came up the yer
anda steps,"
'eYes," said Gabrielle; "and you two
sat and stared as though we had es
capped from the zoo. Take your comb
Elisabeth; l never borrowed one be
fore, and never will again"
II suppose" remarked Elisabeth, re
fiectively examining her recovered
property, I'VE may be said to have
dropped into his lifes first your bag
then Elise's sidscomb, and now this O
ains. It's fate-ws've got to know