Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-12-31
CHAPTER WIN.

ing that her foraging would be emf
nently successful and our larder sat.
isfactorily stocked, which desirable re-
suit was not by any means certain to
follow when we ourselves went to mar
ket.
Gabrielle and Elizabeth had their
hats on and even carried gloves, which
meant that something unusual was
about to happen.
IF wa had not made such definite
engagement with the Campbels,
would not go one STEP" announced
Gabrielle. Il don't like to leave you
alone with headache"
"Of course you must go" returned
ruefully. 1--WE have set too many times
and been disappointed to put it of
again. Then, too, remember Lord vii.
frid is to meet you over there at lunch.
con, and as he must have already
started, there is no way Of letting him
know. | will be all right when you
come home, but 1t is too bad"
For this was the day agreed upon
after various disappointment, for q
shopping expedition to the small town
across the water. We intended to take
advantage of the little steamer that
crossed every morning and returned
every afternoon, explore the place, and
invest in few articles the village could
not supply. Lady Campbell and her
brother were TO join us, and we an.
ticipated very jolly time.
I moc fhorofnra a xuf,,1I,y
when | wakened that morning with the
dull pain In my eyeballs have reason
to respect and treat with every def.
erence. While the girls made their
toilets, protesting vigorously against
leaving me alone, ! rested my heavy
head against the window frame and
tried to calculate how long it would
probably be before my brain felt clear
again and life would seem worth liv-
ing.
1T is the kindest thing you can do
for me-" | said at last. II prefer to
be alone when my head aches. When
you get off will take something and
lie down, and Mary Anne will make
me some tea for lunch. BY the time
you come home tired and rather cross
| shall be all freshly dressed and as
cool and comfortable as possible. Now,
if you don't start, you will miss your
boat"
They finally set out, and / watched
them walk down the path toward the
village. Both were tall and slender,
but there the resemblance ceased en-,
tirely. Gabrielle was strictly tailor.
made from shoe to hat, but Elizabeth
inclined toward softening the severity
Of such costumes by various feminine
devices very telling in their effect, es.
pecially upon the masculine element
Of society.
her tightly-rolled silk umbrella In
farewell salute, l thought her plain,
well-fitting skirt and jacket, immacu
lately severe linen shirt waist, stiff
cravat and trim little hat with its knot
of ribbon and long black quill, the only
correct costume for any one. But
when Elizabeth also turned and raised
her red parasol was not SO sure, fol-
the pretty tan-colored skirt and short
Elton jacket, the dainty white blouse
al! the light straw hat with a red
rose under the brim, were certainly
very becoming, as well as entirely
suitable.
lay quite still for some hours, then
found myself gradually reviving anC
with strong desire for cup of tea
The house seemed very quiet, and
though / opened my door and called
several times there was no response
was forced to conclude that Mary
Anne had taken advantage of our in
tended absence to spend the day in the
village, not knowing / had remained
at home.
/ therefore got up and went down tc
the kitchen to see what ] could find;
for / had eaten no breakfast, and fell
that / would now be all the better fol
little food.
The fire was out, and the prospects
discouraging to one disinclined to make
much of an effort; but | found some
crackers, and remembered that Mary
Anne had mentioned putting the milk
on the hanging shelf in the cellar, sc
| got glass and went after 1t, cracker
jar in hand.
The cellar had been well aired and
was much less damp and musty thar
on my previous visit. Also, the litter |
of boxes and other rubbish had been |
neatly piled along the wall, and the |
whole place seemed more habitable |
The sea breeze swept through the open |
windows until the hanging shell |
creaked on its rusty chains, and ray
of sunlight penetrated the dark re
cess, almost reaching the packing casa
at the end.
/ found the milk and filled my glass
then wandered aimlessly into the re
cess, sat down upon an upturned box
and began my lunch. | do not under
stand why should have elected to de-
this, when the entire house was at my
disposal. but sometimes one obeys ar
impulse without any tangible reason
for doing so.
AS ! sat contentedly nibbling
cracker and slipping the milk heare
voices, muffied but quite distinct, as
though on the other side of thin par
tition. At first l was alarmed, but II
an instant I recognized Mary Anne,
familiar tones and was corresponding
ly relieved, although her whereabouts.
was still mystery.
Now, then" said a mans voice i'm
patiently, don't let's have scene
and. for heavens sake, don't turn OF
the water-works-this place is damn
enough already"
"Oh. Willy. my dear, dear boy" shs
said appealingly; don't go for to bt