The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-18

ity OF the house.
1t was no use pretending that
we were not impressed, for we
were. II was our first encounter
with British aristocracy 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
Wilfrid was disappointing, al
though he had the dropping
blonde mustaches and bored man.
ner we were familiar with on the
stage. His sister, however, was
all that could be desired, and sug-
gested Lady Clara We're de We're
in a very satisfactory manner.
So absorbed were we that even
ing in discussing the brother and
sister that we almost forgot the
cottage; but | saw Elizabeth bust
ly 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.
IF we got a competent woman
who would do our washing" she
remarked, sit would not be much
more expensive than staying
here"
but we could never find such
woman" Gabrielle said, inter-
ested but incredulous.
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 a long, lazy summer.
It 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 up us. Elizabeth's
father is a general in the army,
and has hosts of acquaintances, SO
his daughter is quite accustomed
to encountering them wherever
shoe goes.
when do you expect the old
gentleman" inquired Gabrielle
languidly.
HE isn't old at ALL" flashed
Elizabeth-"at least, l don't think
so. And of course, he has a sum-
mer home on an island. He might
be vary useful"
The next day as we were all
three leaning out of the broad
window of my room we heard
steps on the gravel path, and be-
fore we could withdraw our heads
two men turned the corner. From
the hand of the taller dangled
Gabrielle's black shopping bag
and we recognized the men on the
| steamer. and were consequently
petrified with establishment.
Don't let them in" whispered
Gabrielle, who always has her wits
about her in an emergency. TEL
Mary Anne to say, Not at home.
They were directly under the
window now, and we feared to
move, lest we attract their atten-
ton; but it was just at this cru
cial moment that my side-comt
elected to fall out. OF course, we
reiterated.
"Do you think he saw us?'
gasped Elizabeth and l simultan.
eously as the doorbell rang; but
Gabrielle had fled to the hall
where we heard her whispering
hoarsely to Mary Anne over the
banister.
We also heard that invaluable
factotum's assurance that the la.
dies had just gone to the village
and a polite expression of regret
accom- panied by a promise to cal
again.
We stole again to the window
as our visitors retreated, and saw
them pause, examine my side.
comb, and calmly drop 1t in Ca
brielle's bag, which had not been
left with Mary Anne, as, OF course,
1t should have been.
cat this rate, Bennett" said a
laughing voice, you'll soon be
able to open a junkshop. But !
must say, old chap, we were very
neatly snubbed. Wherefore
81 don't know" replied Ben
nett. "but I mean to find out. for
I'm coming again very soon. | as
sure you, Blake, the picture
doesn't begin"
The rest of the sentence was
lost as the two men disappeared
around the corner.
81 suppose" said Elizabeth, "he
has lucid intervals and his attend
ant humors him, but this is no
reason why we should be victim
lied. Let us caution Mary Anne"
So we descended in a body to
the kitchen and solemnly warned
Mary Anne that the day she adj
mitted our late visitor we would
Immediately part company. Eliza
beth picked up the cards and
looked at them.
''Mr. John Clinton Blake" she