The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1922-12-15
TWIN COTTAGES
BY MILDRED WHITE.
d0dOUOdOdO0O NdO0OOOOOOOO
% 1871. Western Newspaper Union.)

I VI AittiC OOot UNht w. @e@@%t
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 springtime
The cottage nesting farther on lis
! banks would be barred and fOrbidding
but of this Richard was glad. He had
no desire, in his present mood of dis
appointment and disillusion, for human
companionship. Rather, like q
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 out 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 maiden
Of his choice, forsaking filial devotion.
For a mother, his own comforting
mother, to have deserted her sons
faithful protection for that of
strange wife-hunting man-this was
the inexplicabie 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.
There were no roses In evidence
now, but lilac bushes sent their fra
spite Of his sadness the spring sweet /.
ness revived in some way his sinking
spirit.
He would be quite alone Oh 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
swaying mop, while girl grasping the /
mop handle stared down at him bel
girl to frown, and In all reason. 1t |
eemed that Richards should be the
He flicked the dust from
lis uncovered head as she shot a
lefiant" question.
What" asked this angry. unusual
Dung person, 'are you doing here7
t you have been sent out In order to
PERSUADE me to go back, you can tell
hem both, It's of no use. l intend
GREATER to live by myself l came
" " TIC NOttuSC ely W gam llluc
nd" Richard was alarmed to see
ne girl suddenly burst into tears, "be-
ause there was no place else for me
} CO." she ended miserably. With
ut reply he hastily entered the silent
Dttage and made his way up the
airs.
From the window Of his home he
ould be better able to face the girl
the twin house. When he was
Ose enough to reach over and touch
sr hand she raised a tear-stained
ICE.
at was at that very window" she
,cused, that your mother began her
ALTERNATING siege on Dad. Dad
EVER intended to marry again, know
|, didn't. That is why he had me
udy domestic science so l could go
keeping house for him. And just
hen l was doing beautifully, and we
ere so happy-oh -" the blue eyes
shed hatefully-"I hate your moth
)" finished the girl.
Richard drew long breath, the sit
ton grew more confusing. "Will
u tell me-" he asked quietly, lust
10 you are and how you happen to
eak OF the Gray's cottage as your
n? Old Mr.. and Mrs. Gray have
cupied the place next door, from the :
ar 1t was built"
Mrs. Gray" the girl explained, as
: aunt. Father and l spent the
of last summer with her
re, after you had gone to New York =
we heard enough about you at
!, time from your mother, and did E
nix she was the sweetest thing, un- MN
she and Dad got to strolling or to- W
her." the girl ended abruptly. Re
Did Dad come back to our apart IS
mt and find me missing, and send 81