Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-08-05

set quiets, yet was surprised to find her
so still and calm. 1t seemed as though
we had known each other for some time.
| have romanced to myself idly from
that cliff when the yellow light lies over
the sea and the river and the pines, and
drew upon my memory only to find 1t
well stocked. Moreover, learned much
of the river people, of the birds that live
in the marsh and of the animals of the
woods. had watched the purple grackle
build his nest and the blue jay forage for
his offspring when the summer was
young, and | knew many a story of the
sea-gulls. Miss Graham was flattering
listener, her lips slightly parted, her eyes
alight with interest.
"You must be hungry" l said at last,
lunch at noon, no supper until 8.
should like to offer you my cottages hos
pitality."
l was looking for the flush that l
knew would come, and was not disap-
pointed.
Thank you" she answered, "but, you
see-what would people think If they
looked in your dining-room window and
saw me taking tea alone with your"
People don't look In my dining-room
window" | answered.
She shook her head so decisively that
knew she meant it.
"At least, we will have cup of tea
on the beach," | said, "out of doors-oh,
a dozen yards from the cottage, where
all the world may see us if they choose"
Splendid ! she cried and, jumping up,
led the way down from the heights.
On the smooth sand some distance
from my door Charles had placed the lit
tie table. Two chairs faced each other !;
plates, napkins, and a center-piece of
beach ch-marshmallows were the decorations
and my man, as straight and rigid as an
Egyptian idol, stood short distance off.
Miss Graham gave little cry of pleas
ure.
ITS like the Arabian Nights !" she ex-
claimed. "The whole thing seems to
have sprung out of the sand"
l seated her at the table.
You may serve the tea, Charles" /
ordered.
He brought forth the teapot, and was
about to pour the tea into our cups when
Miss Graham expostulated. TITS the
woman's place to do that !" she exclaim-
ed, and Charles surrendered the teapot
into her care.
How many Jumps of sugar?" she
asked, with the delicate superiority of a
hostess to guest.
Two"
"Will you have lemon or cream?"
There were both; I thanked my stars that
Charles was so thoughtful.
Lemon"
received my tea-cup and a moment
later had the satisfaction of hearing Miss
Graham say that the brew was delicious,
And such pretty cups l don't believe
you're a bit of hermit, but a very PAM
pered old sybarite"
We use these only on state occasions
for our honored guests" l explained.
But don't feel as If this were A state
occasion she answered. 1T seems quite
as though we'd been doing this all sum-
mer."
i wish we had" said, quickly.
mean, 1t seems so usual" she said
And yet, in reality, you hardly know
me at all; why, you haven't even met
Aunt Elizabeth yet"
No, that's true agreed. But then
on the other hand, you don't know sucb
very great deal about me-"
Its the very fact that we know So
little about each other in the usual wavs
and so much in other ways" Miss Gro.
ham attempted to explain, "that makes
everything 80 nice. We're both so mucb
interested in the Ship and lis history
you know"
we are" l answered. "That reminds
me that was to tell you all about the
Ship some time"
Yes" She looked off to where the
boat lay shinuing like mahogany in tho
yellow afterglow. But don't Won tb;nL
wed better wait until we're on hoard
again. The smell of tar and the feel Of
the wood will make it so much moro
real" noie
Then, you'll come" I beoa, md
stopped for Miss Graham was lootina
past me at the door of nv bonse 7
turned to see lslip there, a broad smile
wreathing his face.
"eh' wen, well J! he remarked adj
vancing. what charming idyli Real.
~, l had no idea when i came In M tha
back door that l should find such nrettv
picture awaiting me in 'front.' He bowed
to Miss Graham. where Is the borso
Barbara, that goes with your habitp
left him in the woods. He's nsed
to standing" She turned TO me en-
Selden, have you met Mr.. IslipP"
Yesterday" answered. "He luncbed
here" 'eneu
Yes put in Islip; "and he gave ~.
as as good a lunch as he's giving you tea
Really, Selden, you're not living nm 70
your reputation as recluse." He paused
looking from Minis Graham to me ~
hate an interloper, but I'm afraid that.
the part assigned me. When Won didn't
appear at dinner, and couldn't be found
volunteered to hunt. l was petting
quite worried over the disappearance
Your Aunt Elizabeth"
rs III in bed with q headache, ..;d
Miss Graham. '"''
Quite so; so we didn't like TO telI hor
LOOK all the responsibility on myself"
l may have looked somewhat sba rnlv
at lslip at these words, for when I tnrn.
ed to the girl caught an amused plaam
in her ewes s'eaH