The Red Cloud chief., 1921-08-18
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TWIN COTTAGES
BY WHITE.
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sllvery lane early In the springtlne.
The cottage nesting farther on its
banks. would be barred and %forbldding,
but of this Richard was glad. He had
no desire, In his present mood of dis
appointment and d~lsillusion, for human
companionship. Rather, like u
grieved hermit the man felt, in his
wish for solitude and meditation.
The twin cottages faced him as he
rounded the bend.
Mother" that word around which
conferred all boyish hope and admira-
ton. 1t was for sake Of mother, early
widowed, that Richard intended to be
all those wonderful things which she
had dreamed for him; for her, that
he studied and toiled and reached at
last his measure of success. And
now that mother was made comfort
able through his efforts, he planned
eagerly to reach u for even big
ger things that she might be more
proud, and glad. And mother had
failed him.
Never, In all the stories that he
| read, had such an unheard of thing
happened. Usually, 1t was the I'M
grateful son who eloped with a maiden
Of his choice, forsaking flial devotion.
For n mother, his own comforting
mother, to have deserted her sons
faithful protection for that of a
strange wife-hunting man-this was
the inexplicable stunning fact which
brought his disappointment.
She had written him from their
apartment in the city Of this new I'M
believable step she had taken, while
Richard was in New York on business.
Hastily returning, he found his
-aother still away upon her wedding
journey, and dazed and troubled, he
had made his way out to the lake
shore cottage, where he and his moth
er had spent so many happy hours to-
gether.
There were no roses In evidence
now, but lilac bushes sent their fra
GRANGE across his tired face, and in
spite Of his sadness the spring sweet
ness revived In sSne way his sinking
spirit.
He would be quite alone on the
beach, he reflected. turning the key
In the lock. but Richard was mis-
taken. Immediately from an upper
window Of the twin house next door.
came q shower Of dust sent from a
swaying mop. while a girl grasping the
mop handle stared down at him bel
ligerently. She vas far too pretty q
girl to frown, and In oil reason, 1t
seemed that Richards should be the
indignation. He flicked the dust from
his uncovered head as she shot q
defiant question. ,ar.Jl II
"what," asked this angry, unusual
young person, "are you doing here!
II you have been sent out In order to
persuade me to go back, you can tell
them both. It's of no use. l intend
hereafter to live by myself. I came
out to the cottage merely to gain time
} ant" Richard was alarmed to see
} the girl suddenly burst into tears, "be'
} cause there was no. place else for me
} to CO." she ended miserably. With
} out reply he hastily entered the silent
} cottage and made his way up the
stairs.
!, From the window Of his home he
! would be better able to face the cir
in the twin house. When he was
close enough to reach owe and touch
her hand she raised q tear-stainet
face.
D ut was at that very window" sht
accused, that your mother began hel
J matchmaking siege on Dad. Dat
y never intended to marry again, know
Z he didn't. That Is why he had m'
study domestic science so l could g
( on keeping house for him. And jus
3 when l was doing beautifully, and W.
7 were so happy-oh =" the blue eye
0 flashed hatefully-"I hate your moth
5 err" finished the girl.
D Richard drew q long breath, the sit
U uation grew more confusing. "Wil
you tell me-" he asked quietly, Jus
y who you are and how you happen t
sneak of the Gray's cottage as you
own? Old Mr.. and Mrs. Gray hav
n occupied the place next door, from tn
n year 1t was built"
Mrs. Gray" the girl explained, 81
5 my aunt. Father and l spent tn
remainder of last summer with he
% here, after you had gone to New Yorl
~ oh, we heard enough about you q
le the time from your mother, and di
Il think she was the sweetest thing, III
til she and Dad got to strolling off t.
" gether," the girl ended abruptly.
did Dad come back to our apar
ment and find me missing, and sen
n you out after me?" she demanded.
6 Richard looked down to the lila
u scented porch below. "We could tai
' things over better down there" /
:, suggested.
:. 1t was at shutdown, that Richard
" little boat went slowly on up strear
!. And now, behold, the silvery lane WI
:. changed to gold, and a pretty girl 81
at the helm.
~ IL think" said the girl sweet
- vshot vour Dlan Il the niCasf Dlan