Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-12-04
CHAPTER II.-continued.


anIiousiy awaiting her husband. who had
a mania for sailing
CHAPTER iI-continued.
He was to have been home by
noon" she said. "and l have been
standing here two hours. Sailboats
are treacherous. and Harry Is SO reck.
less. Ah."
The ejaculation was one OF relief, as
a white sail appeared and headed for
the slip.
I'm coming to see you" called. as
We walked on. but the conclusion was
forced upon me that she had forgotten
my existence.
why do you suppose they use that
forlorn little slip" l inquired. when
there are plenty of good landing
places further on
But the subject did not seem TO
interest Elizabeth. whom had ad.
dressed. for she merely remarked with
a sigh:
Il Just hate to go back to that old
hotel"
But OF course We could never rent
the cottae,." said Gabrielle. the pru-
dent
oh. Of course mott" We agreed.
and ascended the steps Of the hote!
in gloomy silence.
In the hall there were mountains OF
trunks. covered with a bewildeFinG
quantity OF labels. and a subdued air
of excitement prevailed. indicating
that the new arrivals were worthy OF
consideration. As soon as possible
We Investigated the register and found
that Lord Wilfrid and Lady Edith
Campbell OF London. England. were
enjoying the hospitality OF the house.
II was no use pretending that We
were not impressed. for We were. and
We read the names over several times
aloud TO see how they sounded. 1t
was our first encounter with British
aristocracy outside of books. and We
hurried upstairs TO make fresh toilets
in their honor.
They did not appear until We had
nearly finished dinner. and We were
so interested watching for them that
We forgot TO complain about the food.
Lord Wilfrid was disappointing. al.
though he had the dropping blonde
mustache and bored manner We were
familiar with on the stage. | say this
frankly. because We learned later :hat
we had been unjust and that his un-
prepossessing appearance was simply
the result OF unreQuited affection.
which, OF course, went very hard
with one who was accustomed to hav.
ing the world at his feet-especially
the feminine world.
I,- aff AZ,
we got TO know her very well, and
explained that they had come 10 this
quiet retreat, where they were sure TO
meet no one. TO allow her brother TO
regain his usual poise before visiting
their uncle. the governor general OF
Canada. She added that the length
Of their stay depended upon the ben.
eft he derived from 1t, and hoped we
would do what We could toward d.
verting him. We said We would.
OF course all this happened quite
naturally as time went on. and only
mention it here to show how wrong 4;
is to Judge by appearances. for We
thought Lord Wilfrid looked Ill.
natured and grumpy, whereas he was
really suffering from broken heart.
His sister. however. was all that
could be desired. and suggested Lady
Clara We're de We're in a very salts
factory manner. In fact, heard
Gabrielle murmuT: The daughter
o, hundred earls." as Lady Edith
swept through the doorway, and Eliza
beth quoted: The IanEuid light o.
her proud eyes. when she inspected
the somewhat dinEy menu.
I don't think said anything for
was so absorbed in wondering whether
the rippIes OF her golden hair weT,
natural or acquired that forEo
everything else. but when We met he,
the next day and felt the charm OF he,
personality ! was ready 10 swear tha
everything about her was genuine
So absorbed were we that cyeuln.
IN discussing the brother and slsle
that We almost forgot the cottage
but saw Elizabeth busily engage,
with pencil and paper as we were Pre-
yaTing for bed and was not aliogethe
surprised to hear her voice from tn,
next room after the lights were out.
III We got a competent woman vi,
would do our washing. she remarked
1t would not be much moro eXpensiv,
than staying here. have calculate,
everything"