Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1921-10-14
TWIN COTTAGES
BY MILDRED WHITE.


richards little boat went drifting
down stream; the water lay like sill
very lane with budding trees on either
side. Richard had never Travelled the
Silvery lane early In the springtlme.
The cottage Nesting farther on its
banks would be barred and forbidding.
Tut Of this Richard was glad. He had
no desire. In his present mood Of dis
appointment and disillusion. for human
cOlnpanionship. Rather. like
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 ami admira-
lion. II was for sake of mother. early
widowed, that Richard intended to be-
NIL those wonderful things which she
had dreamed for him; for her, that
lie studied and toiled and reached at
last his measure of success. And
now that mother was made comfort
able through his efforts, he planned
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. II was the un-
grateful son who eloped with a maiden
of his choice, forsaking flial devotion.
For u mother, his own comforting
mother. to have deserted her sons
faithful protection for that OF a
strange wife-huntlng man-this was
the inexplicable stunning fact which
brought his disappointment.
She had written him from their
apartment In the city OF this new un-
believable step she had taken, while
Richard was In New York on business.
Hastily returning. he found his
mother 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.
now, but lilac bushes sent their fra
GRANGE across his tired face, and In
! spite of his sadness the spring sweet
ness revived Ia some 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 shower OF dust sent from "A
swayIng mop, while q girl grusplng the
mop handle stared down at him bel
Iigercntly. She was far too pretty II
girl to frown, and 10 all reason, IL
seemed that Richards should be the
Indignation. lie filcked the dust from
his uncovered head as she shot u
defiant question.
What" asked this angry, unusual
young person, "are you doing here1
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. l came
out TO the cottage merely to gain time
and" Richard was alarmed to see
the girl suddenly burst into tears. "be-
cause there was no place else for me
TO 60" she ended miserably. With
out reply he hastily entered the silent
cottage and made his way up the
stalrs.
From the window OF his home he
| Al fna ha els
In the twin house When he was
close enough to reach over and touch
her hand she raised tear-stained
face.
1T was at that very window" she
accused, that your mother began her
matchmaking siege on Dad. Dad
never intended to marry again, l know
he didn't. That Is why he had me
study domestic science so | could 20
on keeping house for him. And Just
when was doing beautifully. and we
we're so happy-oh =" the blue eyes
flashed hatefully-'I hate your moth
err" finished the girl.
Richard drew long breath, the sit
uation grew more confusing. "Wiil
YOU tell me-" he asked quietly, "jusi
who you are and how you happen Il
speak OF the Gray's cottage as your
own? Old Mr.. and Mrs. Gray have
occupied the place next door. from the
year II was built"
Mrs. Gray" the girl explained, I'll
my aunt. Father and ! spent th'
> remainder of last summer with heI
here. after you had gone to New York
Oh, we heard enough about you a
the time from your mother. aud di'
think she was the sweetest thing, un
III she and Dad got to strolling on to
gether." the girl ended abruptly.
"Did Dad come back to our apart
| ment and find me missing. and sem