Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-11-12
CHAPTER XVIII.


the rain was falling heavily and there
was no cabin accommodation above.
II learned the code, you know. com
ing over" he confided to Betty. Won
der what they're saying? Listen"
Johnny's knowledge was not very
extensive. He deciphered the words
'Tyoga." great haste" make all ef-
forts to save life" and III. H."
well. we're on the trail of the story,
anyhow" he cheerfully unused. THAT
ought to be some consolation"
All night the three were crowded N
\ space not big enough for two of
them. The yacht made good time. and
when 1t finally stopped with Jolt,
Meta sought them out and bade them
go ashore.
They were landing at the wharf OF
what might have been conventional
English seaport country place. At the
end of a driveway. over which every
body limped except City Editor Bur-
ton. who Benoni had left tethered in
the yacht. rambled pretentious house
of Gothic architecture. A modern
glass covered piazza was built along
one side of the place. and as they
mounted the steps Betty recognized
within this enclosure Tyoga In cap and
apron, in charge of a pair of children,
approximately and 10 years old. The
boy was the larger of the two. a slight
dark lad. with petulant expression
and awkward movements. Later Betty
saw this awkwardness was caused by
deformity of the hip. The girl was
palmer of face than her brother, but
her figure had the perfect symmetry OF
all wild things that live In the open
air
Tyoga was mending a white gar
ment, but at sight of the pilgrims she
dropped her work and went forward TO
greet them. leaving the children star
ing after her.
She bowed before Betty and the two
other Americans. kissed Meta warmly
on the cheeks. and embraced Benoni
passionately. When these two were to-
gether the relationship of mother aud
son was easily discernible.
"Ah, so you came safely away" she
sighed. in a relieved manner. II was
SO alarmed. Hamley came home this
morning. He and the old man had a
dreadful argument. They are upstairs
now. 1t has been frightful. But you
must not mind. l do not know what
/ am going to do with the children.
They are getting so old now. / can't
put them off with fairy tales any long
er. 1t is racking." She turned to Bet
ty. I'm glad your friends found you.
Poor child! The strain on you has
been terrible. but the snarl is nearing
it's end. You shall soon see."
The interior of the house was as con-
ventional as its exterior. Betty. Larry
Morris and Johnny felt that the pc
numbra of mystery was at length be-
ing pierced by the return OF reason.
But II Mr.. Wayne finds these peo-
pie here he may kill them" objected
Benoni.
He shall not see them" assured
Tyoga. Nor Hackleye. neither. They
and the children must all be out of
sight before he comes down stairs.
Since she is dead Hackleye cannot
abide the sight of the children any
more. And all her things-he wants
them out OF sight down here. yet he
lives in her old rooms. Take them to
the north wing. Meta. and 1 will bring
the children"
The north wing had four bedrooms.
a sitting room. and a small alcove. II
was done in English chintz. and several
canaries sung and swung in the win
dows. In Betty's room had been placed
garments more conventional than those
she wore, and a dozen little toilet con-
veniences. not the least welcome Of
which was a box of hairpins in assort-
ed sizes. She fingered long at her
drossing-why shouldn't she have done
so? In all this time she had not been
SO near the accustomed luxuries of
life. The bath tub was a delight, the
brushes. creams and powders brought
back visions OF civilization. and even
the makeshifts for fashionable clothing
were a comfort True. the skirt laid
out was plainly Tyoga's and needed q
dozen reefs and tucks; but for a waisr
there was an old fashioned polonaise.
and this was better suited to Betty's
size. When she was finished she real
ly felt proud of herself. and awaited
the reunion with the boys in the sit.
ting room with great anticipation.
They had Jared better In the matter II
clothes. though Johnny's trousers were
too long and Larry's were at haIf-mas
While they criticised. commented. and
compared the children burst in upon
them. The boy limped quietly in, but
the girl stormed through the doors
like a whirlwind.
Where you live when you were a
little girl7" she flashed at Betty. did
they always have something doing
around that you couldn't see into7"
"Of course they did," said Betty
Those things always happen when
you're children"
But don't believe II was like II Is
here" persisted the child. Here
things are so funny. they make you
creep II you don't want to. You needn't
scowl. brother, you know it's true. Any
body can see It. And why did these
people come here in those skin clothes?
And why has Tyoga been so worried?
And why won't papa see us. and where
n mother2 Do you-oh. tell me-do
you think our mothers dead?" the
child cried. fiingiNg herself in Betty's
lap. we had the loveliest mother. and
she's been gone for so longl"
What was your mothers name.
aear7" questioned Betty. though she