Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1920-08-13
TWIN COTTAGES
BY FLORENCE MELLisH.

~ ANaNH ~
The TWO cottages were exactly alikA
Each had a front porch with a vine
covered trellis. and each had a bay
window on the side. one facing east
the other west. They stood side ~
side. The neighbors called them the
Twin Cottages. They we're 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 nelghborly. Mrs. Goodwin
Of the east bay window and Mr.. Good
win of the west bay window never
spoke to each other. The brothers q
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 II, Miss Natha-
lie Goodwin came to spend a summer
vacation with her uncle.
isn't II funny, Uncle AveryT" b
asked, Mrs. GOodwin's nephew u
spending his vacation with her."
at doesn't touch my n Of
humor," her uncle answered, coldly.
"We met on the sidewalk in front"
Nathalie went on. "and we really a
to speak, though of course we're not
cousins"
Certainly not" with emphasis.
"His name is Donald Prior, and q
tloorwalker for Stebbins & Porter.
but he wants to be an artist DE has
a vacation over the dull season, and
he's painting for all he's worth"
"Humph! / should think he gave
you his whole history"
perhaps | was to blame" Nathalie
confessed, with a slight blush. Il was
90 interested that l asked him n o.
two questions"
well, you have a complete auto
biography. now. You won't need TO
ask any more"
Nathalie a a little afraid OF ner
stern uncle.
"Uncle," she asked a morning
who owns that connecting passager
ut belongs to both Of rs"
"What Is there In itT
Rats nests and spiders, probably.
/ never go In"
"Does Mrs. Goodwin go inT
~ don't know where she goes. Prob
ably not"
"If there are spiders" Nathalie pur-
sued, twisting a duster, u ought TO 90
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 a studio"
Several mounted v were
leaned against the walls, and one pic
ture, not quite finished, stood upon
an easel.
"Why!" she breathed, ats me"
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
extenuating 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 a
: litter"
, Doesn't she? l wish my uncle
/ didn't"
, He laughed. 80 | 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 flattered me-"
Don't you think you may be sitting
a., there again and wearing the mauvs
, gown
ooh, no. My uncle wouldn't ap'
| prove. 1t would be quite wrong now
. know"
) Nathalie put on her little air Of dig
nifty. ~ must go back to my uncle. he
; may need me-" d
4. isn't he wellT"
, mo, | 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
'knick- knacks.' He Is pining for some
) old-fashioned contemporaries and
. things"
=. SIS that so2 Now, my aunt can cool
| for the immortal gods"
=. Nathalie glanced at the 1.-THE. strong
O figure and did not contradict him.
"She dotes on the old~-fashionet
cooking. / think wen be having pan
cakes for breakfast"
I ooh" said Nathalie wistfully.
"Tll tell you what I'll do. Do yoV
: think we might venturel Just leave
: that door unbolted. and when you
4 uncle's at breakfast I'll appear to hin
). with hot pancakes in a covered dish
He wouldn't floor mef"
IInA on. ha lent Strnno npnftUh f0I