Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1920-11-11
TWIN COTTAGES
gy FLORENCE MELLIsH.

The two cottages were exactly alike.
Each had front porch with vine
covered rellis, and each had bay
window on the side one facing east,
the other west. They stood side by
side. The neighbors called them the
Twin Cottages. They were connected
by a 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 and 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 it, Miss Natha-
lie Goodwin came to spend summer
vacation with her uncle.
isn't it funny, Uncle Averyf' she
asked. Mrs. Goodwin's nephew is
spending his vacation with her"
1T doesn't touch my sense Of
humor," her uncle answered, colby.
1--WE 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.
ellis name is Donald Prior, and he's
iloorwalker for stebbins & Porter,
but he wants to he an artist He has
Vacation over the. dull season, and
he's painting for all he's worth"
"Iumphl l should think he gave
you his whole history"
perhaps / was to blame" Nathalie
confessed with slight blush. 81 was
so interested that l asked him one or
two questions"
'Wel you have complete auto
ask any more"
Nathalie was a little afraid of her
stern uncle
Uncle" she asked one morning,
"who owns that connecting passage?'
ut belongs to both of US"
"What is there in it?"
'"Rats' nests and spiders, probably.
| never 20 in"
"Does Mrs. Goodwin go in?"
Il don't know where she goes. Prob
ably not"
IF there are spiders" Nathalie pur-
sued, twisting duster Il 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, cts mew
A bolt slid. the east door opened
and the doorway, framed the athletic
figure and bronzed face of Donald
Prior
Hello" he exclaimed.
Nathalie blushed and held out the
extenuatng dustpan 81 came here to
look for spiders" she faltered.
pray don't apologize. We have
equal rights here, you see" glancing
around at the confusion of paint tubes
and brushes; "my aunt doesn't like
litter"
Doesn't she9 I wish my uncle
didn't"
He laughed. $50 paint here"
'But you have painted me-"
81 have dared to attempt that" he
acknowledged. "You see, l had every
thing | needed except a model"
81 guess you have succeeded, only
you have hattered me-
Don't you think you may be sitting
there again and wearing the mauve
gown"
ooh, no. My uncle wouldn't APP
prove. It would be quite wrong now l
know"
Nathalie put on her little air of dig
nifty Il must go back to my uncle. He
may need me-"
isn't he well?"
''No ] feel anxious about him"
Really? What seems to be the mat
ter?"
General debility. He has no appe
tite I've had a course in domestic
science but he calls the things l make
He is pining for some
cOoking-pancakes and |
things
as that so? Now, my aunt can cook
for the immortal gods"
Nathalie glanced at the 1.-the. strong |
figure and did not contradict him.
"She dotes on the old-fashioned
cooking. / think we'll be having pan
cakes for breakfast"
ooh !" said Nathalie wistfully.