The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-09-18

1.-THE SMUGGLER"
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ers and comfortable looking houses.
Just beyond was the strip OF land
we knew 10 be tho border OF the
United States.
High above. upon the bluff, stood
the little cottage. commanding an
unobstructed view on every side.
How | would like TO get inside"
exclaimed Elizabeth lonRingly.
There Amt no reason YOU cant. T"
said gruff voice behind us. al
most lost my balance. but turned
TO meet the intruder.
He seemed entirely harmless,
merely an old man with a doorkey,
who explained that he was the care
taker and came up after each rain
To be sure everything was all right;
so We followed him eagerly.
II tho outside OF the cottage was
attractive, the inside was irrehist'
ible. II was furnished, too. As
Gabrielle said. modestly, II could
not have been done better had we
attended 10 II ourselves.
OH" exclaimed Elizabeth, how
I should like TO spend the summer
right here
Well" returned the caretaker.
the house is 10 let"
II was the beginning OF the end.
We all knew II privately. altho We
did no more than casually aEcer-
tain the rent.
We wanted 10 20 back along the
shore as far as possible, 30 de-
seconded a very steep little flight OF
steps leading down TO a small shed.
or boathouse. belonging TO the cot
itage
A woman stood on the little slip.
looking out over the water. She
turned ms We approached, and !
recognized Mrs. Graham. Her
voice. as she responded TO my sur
prised greeting. shook uncontrol.
labiy.
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 JUS;
beyond the bluff but had no idea
We were your neighborH"
I explained that we were al the
hotel. and expressed the hope that
she felt rested after her journey.
bu, she had resumed her scrutiny
OF the ocean and did not reply 10
my inquiry.
He was 10 have been home by
noon" she said. "and have been
standing here two hours. Sail.
boats are treacherous, and Harry
is 10 reckless All"
/ The ejaculation was one OF re-
lief. as n white sail appeared and
headed for the clip.
I'm coming 20 see you" called.
as We walked on. but the conciu.
sion was forced upon me tina, she
had forgotten my existence.
Il Just hate TO 10 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 not" we agreed.
and assembled the steps OF the hotel
in gloomy silence.
In the hall there were mountains
OF trunks. covered with a bewilder.
lng quantity OF labels. and a sub.
dued air OF excitement prevailed. In
dicating that the new arrivals were
worthy of consideration. As soon
az possible. we investigated the
register. and found that Lord VII.
frid and Lady Edith Campbell. OF
London. England. we're enjoying
the hospitality OF the house.
II was no use pretending that we
were not impressed. for We were.
II was our first encounter with Brit.
ish aris,ocracy outside of books.
and We hurried upstairs TO make
fresh toilets In their honor.
/ They did not appear until we had
nearly finished dinner. Lord VII.
frid was disappointing. altho he had
the dropping blonde mustache and
bored manner We were familiar
with on the stage. His sister. how.
ever. was all that could be desired.
and suggested Lady Clara We're de
We're In very satisfactory manner.
SO absorbed were we that even.
ing in discussing tho brother and
sister that We almost forgot the
cottage. but I saw Elizabeth busily
engaged with pencil and paper as
we we're preparing for bed, and was
not altogether surprised TO hear her
voice from the next room after the
lights were out.
III we got a competent woman
who would do our washing" she
remarked. "it would not he much
| ixsg hut eff. s.ks.
But we could never find such a
woman" Gabrielle said. interested
bu, ineredulous.
THE old man said his sister
would come" returned Elizabeth.
The next day we rented the cot
tage and engaged the competent
woman.
SO we took possession OF the
cottage on the bluff and settled
down for long. lazy summer.
II was nice-that first evening
as we sat on the veranda after our
comfortable dinner.
Elizabeth had heard from home
that day. and told us that man
her father had recently met owned
an island nearby and had pledged
himself to call upon us. Elizaheth's
father is a general In the army. and
has hosts OF acauaIntances. so his
daughter is quite accustomed to en-
countering them wherever she
goes.
when do you expect the old
gentleman" inquired Gabrielle
languidly.
He isn't old at ALL" flashed
Elizabeth-"at least. | don't think
so. And OF course. he has a sum
mer home on an island. He might
be very useful"
The next day rs we were all
three leaning out OF the broad win
| dow of my room We henrd stems