Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-10


house-boat was so named because of Daniel
not the original Daniel of biblical days, but
another interpreter-of-dreams who seemed on
occasion startingy original than
his better known prototype Naturally for the sake OF
euphony the houseboat, of which Daniel was so much
part could bear no more fitting name, although the
well-bred Gaylords anything but hon-lke. Dur
ing the summer months, the Den tethered to scarlet
BUOY foated with lamb-ike meekness on Lake Michi-
CANINE seventy miles by rail from the Gayords' home
in Bayvle The clumsy, comfortable craft, lumber
scow underneath series of box-lke bins top, pos
sessed no power of locomotion in its own right but
submitted tamely being owed about by hired steam
tug, whenever the pleasureovng Gayords grew tired
of their anchorage.
OF the Gaylords, there were four; Archibald, aged
thry-fve his wife Elisabeth Dcky, their fouryear-od
son and Toots their daughter, precarously surviving
her second summer In addition the Den sheltered
Rhea Mrs Gaylords exceedingly pretty sister, Daniel,
of whom there is more to tell and Regina Quinn an
antagonistic elderly damse who attended ably to the
inner wants of the Gaylords Then later in the season,
there was guest named Philip Marston.
Although Daniel had lived for nineteen years it would
be mistake to say that he nineteen years OF age
Sometimes he seemed not than nine and young for
his age that other times, great his wisdom
and prudence his foresight and his intelligence, that
seemed as if he must be at least ninety. He, with
certain broad-bottomed boat the connecting link
between the Den and dry land For the rest his duties
consisted of making himself generally useful and Dan
iel did his duty with untiring zeal.
In person. he was not prepossessing, being lathelke
in build and over-long for his width; his mouth and
ears over-large his stiff orange-hued hair over
abundant his freckes diversified and over-numerous,
and his hands, his feet and his big over-tender heart
had somehow out-dstanced all the rest of him For
two years Daniel had belonged body and soul to the
Gaylords He would have died cheerfully for any
of them from big, genial Archibald down to tiny
"Toots'
"If we needed Daniel for dinner" Elisabeth would
say I believe he'd gladly permit Regina to cook him
Daniels perfect synonym for the word devotion He
gives himself the clouds give rain. There cant be
in him for anything further in the way of afec-
tion-we have every bit of him.
Mrs Gaylord, however, was mistaken. Daniel still
retained generous portion of his large tender heart;
but not for long When Mrs. Gaylords sister, Rhea
Prescott arrived in May to spend long, restful
mer in the Lions Den, after Washington winter,
Daniel showed the Gayords what devotion, what utter
abnegaton of self really meant.
Stronger, closely guarded citadels than Daniels
simple heart had gone down fiat before the battery of
Rhea's big dark eyes but certainly had
cumbed quite expedtiousy. At sight of the decd-
edly attractive young woman, Daniel had surrendered
all that he had to surrender with instantaneous
completeness that astonished experienced Rhea
All her other admirers, however had sooner later
desired reciprocity Daniel aspred to nothing 1t
bliss enough be permitted gaze worship and to
serve; and never before had worshpper offered such
dsnterested homage 1t seemed this time that Daniel
must have exhausted his capacity for devotion; but
again the Gayords were mistaken
In July Philip Marston cousin of Archibald's,
rived by invitation to spend three weeks aboard the
Lions Den. Had Daniel been ordinary worshipper
at Rheas shrine it is probable that Marstons advent
would have filed him with as many forebodings its
announcement did Mrs. Gaylord; but Daniel mot
ordinary devotee he welcomed the newcomer joy
ously as did Dicly, which is saying great deal.
But, Archie" demurred Elisabeth, when Gaylord had
mentioned casually that he had invited Philip join
their family party, will he fit in? You know the Den
isn't very big, and in such close quarters have to be
pretty chummy. If he shouldn't find It's congenia or
if he dislikes children"
"You needn't be afraid of Phs not fitting n," as
sured Gaylord He'd fit any place His adaptablity is
amazing In ten minutes you won't be able to believe
that you haven't known him always-you'l think he's
your ego from some former of existence. I've yet
to hear of the man. woman child that doesn't adore
him. Why my dear, he's simply the most pleasing NOR
tai that ever happened"
But" inquired Elisabeth is it safe TO have anybody
fascinating all that? There's Rhea-"
NO danger whatever. Rhea's anything but suscep-
tibe She's too accustomed to attention to attach any
Importance to a few extra Establishments Phil too is
invulnerable We couldn't chaperone a safer pair Be-
sides if he and Rhea dd-but pshawl They're too
much alike Then there's Barr"
There's nothing in that Absence, in Rheas case is
always fatal you know She does forget the poor things
so speedily. Besides she refused him"
1t Daniels duty to pilot all guests from the train
to the Den; and, Gaylord said whimscaly in three
years he had not lost mislaid single guest He did
the honors noby in Marston's case.
81 Get into this here boat" said Daniel when he had
steered Philip from the little station, down wavering
sawdust road to the waters edge where the boat was
beached Pm to you out to the Den. It's an
chored about six miles from here, but the lakes some
scooped along the edge, you can't her till you've
went quite a bit"