Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-08-19
CHAPTER XVIII.

The trio had taken refuge below, ls
the rain was falling heavily and there
was no cabin accommodation above.
Il 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."
We'll. we're on the trail of the story,
anyhow" he cheerfully mused. THAT
ought to be some consolation"
All night the three were crowded m
a space not big enough for two of
them. The yacht made good time, and
when it finally stopped with a jolt,
Meta sought them out and bade them
60 ashore.
They were landing at the wharf Of
what might have been a 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 a 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 pair of children,
approximately and 10 years old. The
boy was the larger of the two, a slight
dark lad, with a petulant expression
and awkward movements. Later Betty
saw this awkwardness was caused by
a 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 relieved manner. Il was
so alarmed. Hamley came home this
morning. He and the old man had
now. 1t has been frightful. But you
must not mind. / do not know what
/ am going to do with the children.
They are getting so old now, I 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
its end. You shall soon see."
The interior of the house was as con-
ventional as its exterior. Betty. Larry
numbra of mystery was at length be-
ing pierced by the return of reason.
But If 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
lives in her old rooms. Take them to
the north wing, Meta, and l will bring
the children"
The north wing had four bedrooms,
a sitting room, and a small alcove. It
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 box of hairpins in assort-
ed sizes. She fingered long at her
dressing-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 a
dozen reefs and tucks; but for waist |
there was an old fashioned polonalse,
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 If
clothes, though Johnnys trousers were
too long and Larry's were at half-mast.
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 whirlwind.
where you live when you were a
little girl?" she flashed at Betty. did
they always have something doing
around that you couldn't see into?"
"Of course they did," said Betty.
"Those things always happen when
you're children J.