The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-06-24
TWIN COTTAGES
BY FLORENCE mELLIsH.

Eacn nad front pOrcn Win Vlne-
covered trellls. 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 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 Il funny Uncle Avery?' she
asked, Mrs. Goodwin's nephew Is
spending his vacation with her"
at doesn't touch my sense Of
humor," her uncle answered, ccldly.
"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.
"uls name Is Donald Prior, and he's
fioorwnlkcr for Stebblns 4 Porter,
but he wants to be an artist. He has
vacation over the dull season, and
he's painting for all he's worth"
"Humphl should think he gave
you his whole history"
perhaps was to blame" Nathalie
confessed, with n slight blush. II was
o interested that asked him one or
two questions"
swell. you have a 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 passenger
at belongs to both Of u.s."
"What Is there In itT'
'Rats' nests and spiders. probably.
i never 20 IN.
"Does Mrs. Goodwin go int"
"I don't know where she goes. Prob
ably not"
"If there are SPIDERS" Nathalie pur-
sued, twisting duster, II ought 10 go
In"
An hour later she slipped the rusty
bolt and. dustpan in hand, entered the
passage. shuddering little In antici-
patton Of the spiders.
: 'My word! she cried. Donald
I Prior has taken this for n studio"
Several mounted canvases were
: leaned against the walls. and one pic
:, ture. not quite finished, stood upon
, an easel.
, "Why!" she brenlhed. "lt's mew
. A bolt slid. the east door opened.
and the doorway framed the athletic
5 figure and bronzed face OF Donald
. Prior.
Hello" he exclaimed.
|l Nathalie blushed and held out the
extenuatng dustpan. II came here to
4 look for spiders" she faltered.
n "Pray don't apologize. We have
equal rights here. you see" glancing
around Mt the confusion Of paint tubes
and brushes; my aunt doesn't like a
II litter"
u Doesn't shci wish my uncle
didn't"
He laughed. $50 paint here"
i "But you have painted me-"
II have dared TO attempt that" he
A acknowledged. "You see. had every
thing needed except model"
II II guess you have succeeded. only
you have fattered me-"
ii "Dont you think you may be sitting
there again and wearing the mauvs
III gown"
III "Oh. no. My uncle wouldn't mp
N prove. 1t would be quite wrong now
IN know"
N Nathalie put on her little air Of dig
II nifty II must go back to my uncle. HI
Il may need me-"
"Isn't he well?"
Y "No feel anxious about him"
Really What seems to be the mat
| ter?'
General debility. He has no appe
tite. I've had course In domestic
science, but he calls the things maxi
70 'knick-knacks.' lie Is pining for SOM
.old-fashoned cooking-pancakes ant
= things"
- - as that so? Now, my aunt can cool
~ for the immortal gods"
Nathalie glanced at the 1.-THE. stronl
figure and did not contradict him.
~ "She dotes on the old.fashione'
~ cooking. think wen be having pan
:" cakes for breakfast"
" "Ohw said Nathalie wistfulIy.
" "Tll tell you what III do. DO yo
~ think we might venture? Just leav
,S that door unbolted. and when you
" uncle's at breakfast I'll appear TO hin
~ with hot pancakes In a covered disi
30 He wouldn't floor mef'
"oh. no; he isnt strong enough 10
y. that, and perhaps II you took tn