The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-09-19
CHAPTER ".
Our Mysterious Caller

Our Mysterious Caller
II was Gabrielle who first opened
the door in our eall OF reserve and
allowed Gordon Bennett TO pens'
trate beyond H.
She had washed her hair. and go
ing out in the sun to dry II. had es-
tabiished herself at the top OF the
night OF steps leading down 20 the
boat house.
And she also borrowed Eliza
beth's ivory comb with the silver
back. because ,ts teeth are very
vide apart. and therefore accept
able when & comes TO getting out
the ianglen
Just what really happened J don't
know. believe she got 20 dream
Ing out there IN the sunshine. but
this Is what shc said
Il was sitting quietly reading
when I heard a little thump. and
that miserable comb went thru n
crack OF the slip into the water.
1T was low tide" continued
Gabrielle. and could look thru a
the crack and see Il lying on the
sand beneath the water. 20 ! took
stick and tried 10 poke Z, out.
Wells" inquired. Rs she paused
With . reminiscent chuckle
We'll. - was lsing there Niih
my face the color OF n boiled lob.
stcr. fishing away for ali | was
worth. ! heard voice SAY. Al.
low me- and there he WAS in sail
boat. lie got r.. then calmly landed
and introduced himself saying
something about having been unfor-
,unAie in HIS visits"
Then vas your opportunity 20
be dignified and squelchlng." | In
terruptsd. You should have frozen
him with n glance"
4 tried e" she returned. but
an at once I rcmem hercd my hair,
and who could be digniflcd them
80 you brought him home with
you ~ reward OF merit" laugh
ed Elizabeth
Yes. said Gabrielle. and you
two sat and stared a. tho We had
escaped from the roo. Take your
comb. Elizabeth: | never borrowed
one before. and never will again.
4 suppose" remarked Elizabeth.
ref1ectively examining her recos-
cred property. I'VE may be said TO
have dropped into his life. first
your bag. then Eisic's side-comb,
and now this OF miac. It's fate
we've got TO know him. but II
wasn't 80 bad. after all. was it,
Indeed. we had all enjoyed the
afternoon. None OF us referred TO
our trip up on the steamer. and
our Visitor departed without once
mentioning our property in HIS
possession.
A sudden storm came up that
afternoon. and whom Mr.. Bennett
ross to 10. the sky was very low.
erlng. so he left his boat tied 10
our alp and went up into the VII.
LACE TO do some errands and wal,
until II should be over.
Instead OF n short squali. how
ever. Il settled down into heavy
rain. so he was obliged TO spend
the night in tho village. ne. OF
island In his small boat.
II was our first real storm in the
cottage, and az we listened TO the
wind sweep about our little home
until II sometimes troubled upon
It's foundations. | must admit we
were slightly nervous So We gath.
cred around our stone fireplace.
~. Led
Anne had placed ready.
"Whsts that" cried Elizabeth
suddenly. and with one accord we
sprang to our feet
For. above the noise 81 the storm.
we had heard crash. and the fall
OF a heavy body. apparently right
beneath US
The cellar" whispered Eliza.
beth-"some one Is down there"
Now. the cellar was a part OF
our abode We had not yet explor.
cd. so as We crept stealthily into
the kitchen We experienced
sensation OF standing over r bomb
which might at any time explode
Gabrielle valiantly advanced to the
door leading down into IL. and
opened II the fraction OF an inch.
who Is there7" she said.
or course there was no reply.
Gabrielle shut and locked the door.
Shall We 80 down" Her voice
was rather tremulous. and she
looked relieved when We shook our
heads decidedly.
'tt we only had dog" hazard
cd we could put IL down ahead
81 MS and find out n any one was
there: but we haven't"
no" agreed Elizabeth thought.
fully; but we have Mary Anne"
As tho in response TO her name,
the outer Kitchen door opened. and
-.