The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-18
CHAPTER III.
We Rent n Cottage.


CHAPTER III.
We Rent a Cottage.
1t was raining when we landed,
and upon reaching our hotel we
were not in a condition to be en-
thusiastic about our new quarters.
Even now, however, / hesitate
to recall our first week in this
ideal retreat, when 1t rained with
out ceasing.
Let us go out" I finally sug-
gested, feeling that something
must be done to cause a diver
sion; "even IL we get wet, it will
be better than staying here"
SO we donned our raincoats and
walked through the little village,
up a hill and straight out on a
bluff overlooking the sea. There.
isolated and alone, was a vacant
cottage with covered veranda.
| shall never forget our first
sight of the ocean. AS we looked
the sun came out, and we saw the
vast Atlantic stretching sparkling
away into space.
Elizabeth beckoned from the
turn of the veranda, which ran
quite about the house, and we
Joined her, speeches. with ad-
miration. Evidently the island
ended here in a sharp point, for
while on one hand was the ocean,
on the other was water also, but
closely dotted with little green is
lands, gay with flowers and COM
Portable looking houses. Just be-
yond was the strip of land we
knew to be the border of the
United States.
High above, upon the bluff,
stood the little cottage. command
ing an unobstructed view on ev-
cry side.
How I would like to get in
| side!" exclaimed Elizabeth long
ingly.
There amt no reason you
can't" said a gruff voice behind
us. l almost lost my balance, but
turned to meet the intruder.
He seemed entirely harmless,
merely an old man with a door
key, who explained that he was
the caretaker and came up after
each rain to be sure everything
was all right; so we followed him
eagerly.
If the outside of the cottage
was attractive, the inside was ir-
resistible. 1t was furnished, too.
AS Gabrielle said, modestly, II
could not have been done better
had we attended to 1t ourselves.
"Oh!" exclaimed Elizabeth,
''how I should like to spend the
summer right here!"
WELL" returned the caretak-
err, 1.-The house is to let"
1t was the beginning of the end.
We all knew it privately, although
we did no more than casually as
certain the rent.
We wanted to go back along
the shore as far as possible, so de-
scended a very steep little flight
of steps leading down to a small
shed, or boathouse, belonging to
the cottage.
A woman stood on the little
slip, looking out over the water.
She turned as we approached. and
/ recognized Mrs. Graham. Her
voice, as she responded to my
surprised greeting, shook uncon-
trollably.
Il am waiting for my husband"
she said. "He went out early this
morning in his boat, and has not
yet returned. Our cottage is Just
beyond the bluff, but I had no
idea we were your neighbors."
l explained that we were at the
hotel. and expressed the hope that
she felt rested after her journey,
but she had resumed her scrutiny
of the ocean and did not reply to
my inquiry.
He was to have been home by
noon" she said, land l have been
standing here two hours. Sail
boats are treacherous, and Harry
Is SO reckless. Ali"
The ejaculation was one of re-
lief, as a white sail appeared and
headed for the slip.
I'm coming to see you," I
called, as We walked on, but the
conclusion was forced upon me
that she had forgotten my exist
ence.
II just hate to go back to that
old hotel" Elizabeth remarked
with a sigh.
But. of course. we could never
rent the cottage" said Gabrielle,
the prudent.
"Oh, of course mott" we agreed,
and assembled the steps of the ho-
tel In gloomy silence.
In the hall there were noun
tains Of trunks, covered with q
bewildering quantity of labels,
and subdued air OF excitement
prevailed, indicating that the new
arrivals were worthy of consider
alton. AS soon as possible, we
investigated the register and
found that Lord Wilfrid and Lady
Edith Campbell, of London, Eng
land Wara oufoviuO tho boo nff l.