Gilpin observer., 1920-05-27
TWIN COTTAGES
BY FLORENCE meLL,sH.


covered trellis. and each had bay
the other west. They stood. side by
side. The neighbors called them the
Twin Cottages. They were connected
by narrow passage extending from
the west side of one to the east side
Of the other.
But the tenants Of these cottages
were not neighbOrly. Mrs. Goodwin
Of the east bay window aud Mr. Good
win of the west bay window never
spoke to each other. The brothers had
built these houses. had begun their
married life together. but their wives
had Quarreled years ago. and now Mr..
Avery Goodwin and Mrs. Emery Good
win lived each alone, nursing the old
grievance.
AS fate would have 1t, Miss Natha-
lie Goodwin came to spend summer
vacation with her uncle.
isn't 1t funny. Uncle Avery?" she
asked. "NIrs. Goodwin's nephew is
spending his vacation with her."
at doesn't touch my sense Of
humor." her uncle answered, coldly.
ave met on the sidewalk in 'front.'"
Nathalie went on. "and we really had
to speak. though of course we're not
cousins"
"Certainly not" with emphasis.
"Hls name Is Donald Prior, and he's
floOrwalker for Stebbins & Porter,
but he wants to he an artist. He has
thn lttI
he's painting for all he's WORTH"
"Humph! should think he gave
you his whole history"
perhaps ! was to blame," Nathalie
confessed, with slight blush. II was
50 interested that asked him one or
two Questions"
"Well, you have complete auto
biography now. You won't need to
ask any more"
Nathalie was little afraid Of her
stern uncle.
"Uncle," she asked one morning,
"who owns that connecting passage7"
ut belongs to both of u.s."
"What Is there In itl''
"Rats' nests and spiders. probably.
never go in"
"DOes Mrs. Goodwin go in?"
II don't know where she goes. Prob
ably not"
"If there are SPIDERS" Nathalie pur-
| sued, twisting duster, II ought TO go
| In"
An hour later she slipped the rusty
bolt and, dustpan in hand, entered the
passage, shuddering a little in antici-
patton of the spiders.
My wOrd!" she cried. "DOnald
Prior has taken this for studio"
Several mounted canvases were
leaned against the walls, and one pic
ture. not quite finished. stood upon
an easel.
"Whyr' she breathed, "it's mel"
A bolt slid, the east door opened,
and the doorway framed the athletic
figure and brOnzed face Of Denald
Prior.
"&iellO" he exclaimed.
Nathalie blushed and held cat the
extenuating dustpan. II came here to
look for spiders" she faltered-
"Pray don't apologize. We have
equal rights here. you see" glancins
around at the confusion of paint tubes
and brushes; my aunt doesn't like u
litter"
doesn't shes I wish my uncle
didn't"
He laughed. so paint here"
"But you have painted me-"
~ have dar-d to atyempt that" he
Acknowledged. ''Y0u see, j !hud every
thing l needed exceTt model"
II guess you have succeeded. only
you have fstterea ;ne."
"DOn't you think yOu may he sitting
there again and wearing the mauve
gown?"
"Oh. ns- My uncle wouldn't ap
prove. Ii would ibe quite wrong now j
know"
Nathalie put On her little air of dig
nifty. II must go hack to .nty uncle. He
may need me-"
"Isn't he werlg"
"NO. I feel anxiwus about him"
"Reaiiy7 What seems TO he the mat
teri?
General debility. He has no appe
tite. I've had u course In domestic
science, but he cstis the things l make
'knick-knacts.' Be Is pining for some
Old-fashiOned osaldng-paneakes and
things"
'Is that sOf N~w. my aunt can cook
for the immortal geds"
Nathalie glanced at the iiuhe. strong
figure and did not contradict him.
"She dOtes on tine old dfashionesi
cooking. l think welt be having pan
cakes for breakfast"
"Oh!" said Nathalie wlstfuiiy.
"I'll tell you what Til do. DO you
think we might venture? Just ieave
that door unbOlted. and when your
&ncle's at breakfast III appear to him
with hot pancakes In a covered dish.
| Aa W0IIldn'f floor may"