The Washburn leader., 1916-02-04
At The owl
BY SHERWOOD GRANT.

Winnie stepped out on the broad,
porch and looked at the
house that was to bring them all
plenty of ready cash, If not a fortune.
It was all they had left that seemed
tangible. They had been left to the
care of an uncle after their parents
death, and only the house up at Med.
bury remained after the passing of
Uncle George.
Georgia, named for her uncle hope.
fully, had fixed on the solution. They
were on the post road. They would
turn the old house into the coziest Of
tearooms, sort of inn Of happiness,
and. since an old owl appeared to be
its sole tenant, they caught the bird.
stuffed it after it had given up the
ghost, and bestowed its name and
symbol on the new venture for luck.
II think l hear q car" Winnie's
head was raised in expectancy.
The car came into view, 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 acci
dent. Would it be possible for US to
get shelter here and some sort of med.
ical help?"
Alice rose to the emergency at once.
Bring your friend right in," she
called, and led the way into the sit.
ting room across the hall, where it
was quiet.
"We were making up 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 fallen
tree the lightning must have hit, just
below the gully, and it tipped the car
nearly over and flung Tom out. Could
phone my mother, too, from here,
please"
."Well, of all things" calculated Win.
ME, in a deep, cautious whisper out in
the kitchen. Kings Rest was the one
place of interest around Medbury.
Paul hampton was the third in the
party. Georgia told the other girls
he was a well-known writer. The doc.
tor rode over from the village and at
once began his examination Of Tom
Bowen, a cousin of the Kings. Just
as he emerged with favorable dag
nosis, Mrs. Kings handsome dark
blue limousine turned into the little
driveway. The Owl was very busy ap.
parently.
"He can't be moved for week any
way, but he's all right" the doctor
said. briskly. "The girls will look
after him, I know, Mrs. King. I'll send
. nurse"
II haven't been here in years." said
Mrs. King; mot since before my mar.
riage. Perhaps you do not know that
[ was your mothers maid of honor at
her marriage here? was very fond
Of her. This one seems to have her
eyes and voice, but you have her man.
ner."
Georgia flushed happily, and Winnie
was all aglow.
Maybe we have. but I assure you,
Mrs. King, Alice has her sweet dispo.
sition," Georgia said radiantly.
It was a wonderful week that fol.
lowed. Tom recovered with suspicious
slowness, the nurse declared. He fair
ly luxuriated in his dainty meals and
the attention Of the three hostesses.
Madison and hampton rode over daily
with flowers and books. all manner
Of things, supposedly for the invalid.
but some way they remained out in
the sitting room for the girls to enjoy.
As soon as he was able to be moved
there came a check from his father
that the girls eyed doubtfully.
II think" said Winnie judiciously.
that we should be altruistic in this.
He was our guest. Can't the Owl af-
ford private guest, girls?"
1t appeared that the Owl could. The
check was returned with the sweetest
of notes, and Colonel Bowen came
down In person from Boston to meet
the three Graces who disdained mere
pelf, as he put it. There ensued such
series Of motor parties and visits up
at Kings Rest that the girls declared
the Owl would need a guardian IL they
did not give up such frivolfty and at
tend to business. But the autumn
days slipped away into the early win.
ter and Mrs. King took them under
her wing completely. Madison and
Winnie found many errands back and
forth to attend to for her. and Tom
declared that he'd never get we'll un.
less he could have Alice to keep an
eye on his diet.
Her sisters announced their engage
ment almost in the same breath one
day up at Kings Rest, but Georgia
was oddly silent.
hampton had departed for New
York the previous week. Somehow
the other girls felt that Georgia. tenn.
peramental, whimsical Georgia, had
lost her hold on romance.
One day the three girls were return.
ing from Kings Rest. Az they ap
preached the Owl tearoom they found
q man sitting on the steps reading
nAvanarer