Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-10-18
WHERE THE
LATCHSTRING
WAS OUT
((0 by D. J. walsh.l


from her packing to regard her
Aneighbor with questioning
frown.
VI may be all the kinds of an idiot
you say, Ida, but I've always figured
that since God gave Harry and me
heavenly spot like Lakeside, we've no
right to be stingy with It."
81 wouldn't call 1t being stingy to
close my doors against people who
merely make summer convenience
of me and scarcely think of me at
any other season."
ut isn't quite as bad as that, dear"
"All right, but you wait and see
what happens this summer, since
you've already indicated that your
latchstring is out"
In spite of what she was pleased to
term her friends annual croaking,
Mrs. Dartmouth went blithely on with
her work, singing happily with the
knowledge that she soon would be In
her beloved little home on the shore
Of beautiful Lake Penewee.
She loved every blade Of grass, ev-
cry tree, every wild flower that grew
on the place. She reveled In her daily
dips In the lakes lmpid waters-two
or three dips II the weather was es-
pecially warm; delighted in the morn.
ing rows along the seven hundred feet
Of frontage she and Harry owned.
She even rather enjoyed those storms
which sometimes swept over the lake
from thenorth, sending the occupants
of Lakeside cottage porchward to COW
er the furniture against the oncoming
rain.
And then she adored the hlvver and
the motor boat, both kept purposely
for the various necessary trips to the
village which was two and one-tenth
miles distant. She called the fllvvcr
Libble and was sure Lindy couldn't
possibly care more for his plane than
she did for the little car which the
Dartmouths kept stored in farmers
barn all winter.
Lalia kept the little cottage look
ing like a glorlfed doll house, with
bright, cheerful drapes and gay paint
cd furniture which she gave a fresh
coat the first thing every summer.
Taking 1t NIL in all, she was so proud
Of the place that she never could re-
slst saying to each friend and ac-
qualntance as the time drew near ev-
cry summer for their exodus to Lake
side. "Oh, you must drive down.
You've no idea how we've improved
II since last season!"
Strange rs It may seem 1t wasn't al
ways the best friends nor the closest
acquaintances who availed themselves
OF these Wholesale invitations Of La
HAS, and when she came home one
fall telling of entertaining the Meach-
AIMS. whom she barely knew, the BOr-
dens, whom she never had seen be-
fore, but who were cousins Of some
people she had known In childhood
ana the Mattinglys, whom she scarce
~ ever saw any more, but who were
passing through on their way West
and were wlshful of nights rest In
the country, not to mention the saving
~ hotel bill, her nelghbOr and very
best friend. Ida Stems. took her to
task about II.
you're tired out instead Of rested
every fall when yna come home. You
aren't doing right by yourself and
your family TO accept so much re-
sponsllllity. let alone reaching out for
II the way you do"
Lalla had chuckled. replying with
mock seriousness. "All right, dear old
pal. next summer. the moment things
get too much for me I'll send for you
to Strengthen them out"
This morning. with the DartmOuths
almost ready to leave, Mrs. Stems re-
minded her friend Of her promise OF
the fall before. and Lalia laughlngy
renewed 1t. "Not that I expect to
need you, Ida. darling" she said laugh
ingly. "but you know am always as
good as my word"
When size reached Lakeside Lalia
was flied with renewed wonder Mt the
beauty of the place. As she was hur-
ryIng the porch chnlrs and tables In
to their accustomed places, more
jOyed than ever TO be there the tele-
phone smote her ear rather dIscord-
antIy.
The DRAGONS were on the wire. They
were passing that way and were per-
Ishing to see the much-taIked.O Lake
side and faIn would stop for glimpse
OF It. Incidentally" LalIa grumbled
mentally. "for bite OF lunch"
Mrs. BnrtmOuth's course was obvi-
Gus. The DRAGONS arrived and lmme-
dIately began to amuse themselves
taking In the surrounding scenery,
while Lalla hurried together things she
had brought from home for her own
lunch, not yet having had time or OPP
portunlty to stock her larder from the
village stores or nearby farms.
In the midst OF II all the Meachams
sailed grandly into the driveway in
splendid new car and announced that
they were simply ravenous."
Luncheon went by fortunately with
only few bitches, the principal one
being the emptiness OF Lalla's own
little tummy. She sat patiently wait
Ing for the combined surprise party
to L.Ove on, intending to drive Iibbie
Into town for supplies at once. Not
o mention Of going was made.
Finally Mrs Meacham suggested
that she and Mr.. Mencham would re-