Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-09-03


see the army of pines silhoutted against
the dropping fire.
They come. the armies come ~ cried.
See the spears, see the crested horse
men. see the banners in the rear !"
l turned and her eyes were shining,
exulting in the beauty of the scene. Then
we were silent for a time until the blaze
had softened and the battle dropped to a
harmonious peace.
| found seat for her, and stretched
myself beside it.
Tell me what you think" she said
"the stories you make up when you come
here night after night"
| had known how that view Of the sun
set quiets, yet l 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
l 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. l 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 a flattering
listener, her lips slightly parted, her eyes
alight with interest.
'You must be hungry" / said at last.
lunch at noon, no supper until 8.
should like to offer you my cottages hos
pitality."
was looking for the flush that
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-roon
window" l answered.
She shook her head so decisively that
| knew she meant 1t.
"At least, we will have cup of tes
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 distanct
from my door Charles had placed the lit
tie table. Two chairs faced each other
plates, napkins, and a center-piece oi
beach-marshmallow were the decorations
and my man, as straight and rigid as ar
Egyptian idol, stood a short distance off
Miss Graham gave a little cry. of pleas
ure.
tsTtfc lilo tha hiop Niuhto ~ ha
claimed. "The whole thing seems te
have sprung out Of the sand."
seated her at the table.
"You may serve the tea, Charles"
ordered
He brought forth the teapot, and wal
about to pour the tea into our cups wher
Miss Graham expostulated. Its 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 9
hostess to a guest.
"Two.'
"Will you have lemon or cream p
There were both; thanked my stars that
Charles was so thoughtful.
Lemon"
later had the satisfaction of hearing Miss
Graham say that the brew was delicious
"And such pretty cups! l don't believe
you're bit of hermit, but very pam
pered old sybarite."
1--WE use these only on state occasions
for our honored guests" I explained.
"But l don't feel as IL this were a state
OCCASION she answered. "It seems quite
as though we'd been doing this all sum.
mer."
II wish we had," / said, quickly.
II mean, it 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 such
very great deal about me-"
ITS the very fact that we know sc
little about each other in the usual ways
and so much in other ways" Miss Ora.
ham attempted to explain, that makes
everything so nice. We're both so much
interested in the Ship and its history
you know"
I'VE are," answered. "That reminds
me that | was to tell you all about the
Ship some time"
"Yes." She looked of to where the
boat lay shinuing like mahogany in the
yellow afterglow. "But don't you think
we'd better wait until we're ON board
again. The smell of tar and the feel OF
the wood will make 1t SO much more
real"
"Then, you'll come" began, and
stopped, for Miss Graham was LOOKING
past ME at the door Of my house. ]
turned to see Islip there, broad smile
wreathing his face.
"Well, well, we'll" he remarked, ad.
yancing. "What charming ldyll Real.