The Washington herald., 1915-11-23

tnat oio stuned. grouchy thlng, said
Winnie rsflsctiyely, as she descended
from the stepladder and eyed her work.
The other two girls came from the
dining-room to take a look also, Alice
in q brown and white checked apron
mixing cookie dough In a huge howl.
Georgia cool and cheerful even while
she wrestled singie-handed with the
problem Of the window hansings In the
two front rooms.
1t was the opening day Of the Owl
tearoom. Not a prepitious day by any
means. with the thunder rumbiing over
the hills and the quick patter Of heavy
rain every now and then In late au-
tumn shewera
But somebody's sure to drop In"
Alice said hopefully. Doesn't the
house look sort Of shelteryg'
Even Winnie stepped out on the
broad, old-fashioned porch and looked
hrst at the house itself, that WAS 10
bring them all plenty of ready cash, II
. that seemed tangible They had been
left to the care of an uncle after their
parents death. and only the house up
at Medbury remained now, after the
passing OF Uncle George. The money
had been used up on their education
and maintenance. So they had decided
to Join forces and retire to Medbury to
cogitate on the future and its possibili-
ties.
Georgia. named for her uncle hope
fully. had fSed on the solution They
were on the postroad- They would
turn the old house into the coziest Of
tearooms. a sort of inn OF happiness,
and. since an old owl appeared to be
its sole tenant, they caught the bird.
stuffed Il after IL had given up the
ghost, and bestowed its name and sym
boil on the new venture for luck
Il think ! hear a car" Winnie's head
was raised In expectancy. She was ad-
mittedly the beauty Of the family.
Georgia supplied any element of gen
ius that might be In Il, and Alice was
q born homemaker. She could have set
up her tent In CHEEKY light housekeep-
ing on almost any earthly spot.
The car came into view just as a peal
of thunder rolled overhead. There were
two occupants, no, three, for one was
held their breaths as II turned into the
drive under the two big elms and drew
up before the porch steps Two young
men sprang out They seemed worried
and excited
How do you do. ladies:" one said.
raising his cap. We've had an aeci-
dent Would Il be possible for US to
get shelter here and some sort Of med
ical hslpr'
Alice rose to the emergency at once.
Bring your friend right in" she
called, and led the way into the sitting
room across the hsll. where Il was
quiet Georgia and one Of the men
went to the telephone to call Q doctor.
The injured one was carried In and put
into the best spare bed. and the car
rested safely out under the old wood
shed
I'VE were making W time on that
last stretch Of road" explained Madi-
son King. the cars owner. MY friends
are visiting me over at Kings Rest, my
mothers place. We struck a fallen
tree the iightnips must have hit, just
below the gully. and II tipped the car
nearly over and flung Tom out Could
I phone my mother. too. from here
please"
Well. of all things" calculated Win
ME, In q deep. cautious whisper out In
the kitchen. Kings Rest was the one
place of interest around Medbury.
Eleanor King and her mother had gone
to school together, years before. but
on their return the girls had decided
firmly to rise or fall on their OWN
merits. Mrs. King could have estab-
lished them forever In Medbury, but
they had not let her know OF their
coming at all. Now fate swung her
only son up to their door and he was
asking fsvors Of them
Paul Hampton was the third in the
party. Georgia told the other girls he
was q weli-known writer and to be
sure and put more pepper in his salad
than in the others. 1t would be good
for him They laughed and worked ex-
citsdly, getting up their hrst meal for
the UNEXPECTED guests. The doctor rode
over from the village and at once be-
gan his examination of Tom Bowen, a
cousin of the Kings Just as he
emerged with favorable diagnosis.
Mrs. Kings handsome dark blue Iimou-
sine turned into the little driveway.
The Owl was very busy apparently.
..He can't be moved for q week any,
way, but he's AL right. the doctor said.
briskiy.e The girls win look after him.
i know, Mrs. King. III send q nurse"
Then. while the men were with Tom.
the three girls and Mrs, King talked
together out on the porch
Il haven't bean here in years. said
Mrs. King: net since before nay mar
rage. Perhaps you do not know that
/ was your mothers maid of honor at
her marriage heref I was very fond