Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-12


summer boarding place that Denton
stopped short and eyed doubtfully the
wide lawn, the massive stone house
and the garden flaming with Juhe
roses.
He even looked at the great mastiffl
that sauntered toward him with a sus
picious eye.
look here, old fellow" he said, care
you in a fairy tale, or is this just AM
everyday fact?"
Duke, come here called a clear
voice, and the dog bounded back to
the porch.
Denton followed him.
"Are you the princess?' he asked of
| the owner of the clear voice.
The girl flushed and stared.
81 dop's understand she STAN
mered.
Denton laughed. 81 beg pardon"
he apoloGized ''for boring you with
my fancies. But this place is so beau
| tiful that | thought l had stepped out
| of real life into fairyland and that the
| dog was the monster that guarded the
| gate and that you were the enchanted
| princess
| The girls eyes twinkled. I'm not
a princess she told him. I'm your
landlady."
Something of disappointment crept
| into Denton's expression.
Then you are Mrs. Carter?" he haz-
arded
Miss Carter" she corrected, and
| he looked relieved. I'm the letter that
l wrote you | signed myself Mehita-
| bel Carter. and | suppose you thought
l had gray hairs and wrinkles"
"Thc 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 dignificd
name is an asset"
Certainly" he agreed and settled
back in his chair, content to listen and
! looS.
But his hostess was more energetic.
IN 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 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 bathtubs and nickel trimmings
and pond lily friezcs and Circassian
walnut furniture for $40 week."
A little anxious frown burrowed Miss
Carriers forehead. II was afraid
was charging too much.' she said
"You see. you are my first boarder.''
1t appeared on further conversation
: that there were to be six other board
ers. and they were to arrive ut 80.
Five Of them are maiden ladies'.
: Miss Carter explained. ind l tolG
: them they might bring their cats ant
parrots
. "And the other one?" Denton de
manded.
Us a man." said Miss Carter "an(
e he wants to bring his automobile"
Denton gazed pensively across the
: garden toward the purple hills. ALAS.
| he sighed. land / brought only a type
+ writer The automobile is the dragon
that 1 must STAY
She stiffened little at that.
:, II don't think l quite understand,
she said
"Of course not" Denton agreed quit
cheerfully. las Il writer of stories
deal much in metaphor. 1t isn't to b
f expected that you would understand
q But you will-some day"
III He switched to other topics ant
:. learned that the beautiful house. wit
its beautiful furniture. had been tn
: girls summer home. That the failur
of her father in business and his nj
:, sence to fill position in another cit
!, made her decide that the house mus
= support itself or be sold So she ha
advertised for boarders. and. with tw
old and trusted servants, she was 60
ing to make it pay.
I'VE raise all of our vegetables" sh
: confided, land we have our cows an
: make butter, and there are plenty c
w chickens and eggs
XII Don't say any more" Dento
W begged. Il am hungry enough as it
* without hearing OF real milk and bu
W ter and eggs"
XII She laughed. THE train is du
W now" she said: las soon as the othe
IS boarders get here we will have SUI
W per-
XII Contrary to Dentou's expectation
Wl the six old maids proved to he deligh
Ml full company. Three of them vel
"a teachers. one of them wrote for tt
WU magazines. one,- having a private 70
"a tune, was something of a globe tro
Ssh ter. and the sixth. being homestead
w inclined, had brought the cat and pa
XII rot.
M The one man was the object of De-
Ssh tons special observation. His nan
" was Nesselrode.
W He makes me think of Il pudding
M Denton remarked to Miss Carter
ISL Il don't think he looks that way
" ALL" Miss Carter said Indignantly.
IS think he is very handsome, If he
" stout"