Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-12-03

Eclurneu, lltIle VeAeu al MS tone OF
easy familiarity; but he only laughed
again, and began to talk about the
climate and the country, showing a
knowledge of the coast which sur
prised me-
Surely" exclaimed, you have not
learned all this since you have been
here?"
"Oh, no." he returned; I'm an old
stager. The fact is, spent several
summers here when | was a young
chap, and I'm very keen about it in.
deed. The sea regularly calls TO me,
and I'm never quite happy away
from it,"
"And Mrs. Graham?"
well, she don't know much about it
as yet, but she's learning. | cant in
duce her to get into boat, though
more's the pity"
You are fond of sailing?"
Every fond. When | get out in my
catboat have no idea of the fight of
time"
l had a sudden vision of his wlfe's
figure waiting on the little dock.
Doubtless she was destined to pass
many anxious, expectant hours before
the end Of the summer.
Mr. Graham put our letters in his
pocket with his own, for safe keeping,
and we turned our faces homeward
On the outskirts of the village we
met Lady Edith Campbell, sauntering
along under her white parasol, the
personification of dainty womanhood.
She stopped to speak to me, and l
was about to introduce my compan-
ion when, to my surprise, she held out
her hand cordially.
why, Mr.. Graham!" she exclaimed.
What are you doing in this remote
corner of the world, and do you mean
| to cut your old friends?"
81 was so astonished, Lady Edith,
that | doubted the evidence of my
eyes, What brings you here, may |
ask"
"Wilfrid and | are touring for his
health. Is Mrs. Graham with you?
How very charming! We all crossed
from England together this spring,
she explained for my benefit, land we
got to know each other very well, as
people do on shipboard. Where Is
| Mrs. Graham, and may / not go and
| see her this morning?"
Mr.. Graham hesitated perceptibly,
but / settled the question by holding
| out my hands for the letters and an
nouncing that meant to take short
| cut to the cottage, and would see them
again soon.
AS usual, the girls were on the
veranda. and I dropped the mail in
Elizabeths lap and flung myself ex-
| haustedly into the hammock.
Il don't like paying visits" l re-
marked, "and l just hate taking walks
| with other peoples husbands"
"Oh, l don't know" replied Gabri-
ellie. Il rather like married men-they
are so safe. They never suspect you
of designs on them if you are pleasant,
you know, and"
why" interrupted Elizabeth, who
had been turning over the mail,
what's this? What have you been
buying, Elise? I'm going to look
| at it,"
She held in her hand a small tissue
| paper package about the size of an or
| binary note envelope, and before
| could disclaim any responsibility for II
she had opened it and was examining
| the contents.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, Took at this"
And, nothing loath, we Joined her
on the steps and looked also. The 1T
| tie package contained small piece OF
! blue ribbon, and carefully fastened to
| it was a ring of yellow hair. Such
| pretty hair it was, too! 1t might b|ve
| come from the head of little child, II
| was so soft and curled SO daintily. In
| the sunshine it glittered like spun
| gold
Elizabeth put her finger under the
shining ringlet and looked at me
/ doubtfully.
Where did you get It," she in.
| quired, land what are you going to do
with it?"
Il never saw it before" / replied.
thoroughly puzzled.
Gabrielle lifted the ribbon. which
was attached at the top to piece OF
white note paper, evidently for the
purpose of holding it straight.
There is writing on it," she an.
nounced, and we literally put our
heads together to decipher the words
closely written in pencil.
"I need you,'" read Elizabeth. "'Dc
not delay"
There is more" l continued; Ills.
| ten:
"'And another voice is calling,
Oh it cometh from the sea,
With an undertone of danger
But there's work for you and me- I"
What does it mean?" questioned
Gabrielle. ELISE, you brought it here;
you must know"
Indeed l don't! / got the mail
! and"
/ paused as a sudden light dawned
! upon me.
Its his" l exclaimed lucidly; and
went on to explain that Mr. Graham
| had given me our mail very hurriedly,
as Lady Edith was waiting for him.
and doubtless the little package had
slipped in between two letters.
| Elizabeth was folding the tissue
paper carefully about the piece OF
| ribbon.
1T is his, of course" she said, land
we must return it. But, oh, dear! how
1 wish had not opened it,"
"What want to know" remarked
Gabrielle, who was of very inquiring
disposition, "is this: Why does Mr.. Ora