Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-01-01

After lunch Elizabeth declared her
intention of going down the cellar to
see what it was like, saying that II
made her very uncomfortable not to
know what she lived over; but she re-
| gusted expression.
Mary Anne is scrubbing," she an
nounced. "and the whole place is as
wet as the ocean. I'll have to wait
until tomorrow. Just now I would
need a beat.
Whats the use of bothering?" in
quired Gabrielle, placidly ut would
not worry me if l never explored the
cellar. Just SO I know it's there, I
don't care what it looks like" e..
/ well, ! do" returned Elizabeth,
"and I'm going down there the first
thing in the morning. If, I don't for.
Set,it-"
"Suppose we walk down to the
wharf in the village" suggested Lady
Edith; "and meet 'Wilfrid- We might
induce him to take us for a SAIL"
- But I still felt'.very indolent and
preferred the hammock. with its many
pillows. and cool breeze to the long,
hot walk to the village, so the other
three started cheerfully off, leaving
me to my own devices.
For a while l swung idly to and fro.
watching the dancing water and ad.
miring the effect of the sunlight on
the occasional sail which ventured
around the point from the island col
ony on the other side. ! was thinking
in a desultory way of poor Mrs. Bundy
and her lost emeralds. and OF Lady
Edith and her mothers pearls, and
wishing she had opened the box and
shown them to us before locking them
away. when I heard a step upon the
gravel path. and Gordon Bennett lifted
his cap and smiled amicably upon me.
as though he were quite in the habit
of paying us daily visits.
l noticed then what white teeth he
had and how he smiled with his eyes
as well as his lips. but this is an unIm-
portant depression.
Il apologize for coming so often"
he remarked. appropriating a COM
Portable chair. MY excuse Is that
wish to return your property. for.
got it yesterday"
He drew Gabrielle's bag from his
pocket as he spoke. and regarded 1t af-
fectionately.
AT last" he continued. II suppose
1t belongs to one Of you: found 1t on
the steamer coming up. you know. just
where you had been sitting"
l acknowledged our ownership of
the property. and extended my hand
for it. but he held It thoughtfully. as
though unwilling to relinquish It..
Would you mind" he said at last,
with some hesitation. telling me why
when I started to bring you this bag,
that night on the steamer; you all
turned and fed as though had been
n carnivorous animai?"
There was twinkle in his eye
which made me hotly resentful. al.
though tried to preserve a cool and
Indifferent manner.
Would you really like to know"
''Pining to be told: I have lost val.
liable sleep trying to work 1t out
We'll. We thought you were crazy"
Why, please?"
His voice was genuinely astonished.
and plunged at once into an explana-
tion I hoped would be satisfactory.
You see. 1t was those chairs you
threw overheard. II was such an ex-
traordinary thing to do. And Gabrielle
said you muttered when you did it,
rs that all?-relief and amusement
struggled for supremacy In his voice.
and | felt myself flushing uncom-
fortabiy.
II think It's quite enough re-
turned, irritably. NO men in their
senses go around throwing chairs over
board" ~:
And is that why got the cold
shoulder when I called?"
Mr.. Gordon Bennett laughed then
as he has never dared laugh since
when referring to that subject. for we
don't like to talk about It. as 1t makes
us appear rather foolish.
ITO BE 'CoNTINUEDD