Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-09-22
CHAPTER ONE

TWAS SITTING at my desk one
day in June, using a few idle mo-
ments to decide if l really wished
to spend my annual vacation in
Maine, as chad done for four
wears. MY last summer at camp
wasn't particularly interesting, and
I didn't look forward with eager
anticipation to another month
there.
Yet there wasn't any other place
to which I wanted to go, and so l
picked up a sheet of paper to insert
in the typewriter to make my res
ervation. That had to be done to-
day, and 1 might as well go back
to Shinn Pond camp as anywhere,
I decided. 1t is restful place, quiet
1T night, and the air under those
tall resinous pines is more invigor-
ating than an up-to-the-mlnute
beauty salons salt rub.
I rolled the paper into my ma
chine and poised my fingers above
the keys-but the words contem-
plated tipping were never written.
The door of my office flew open
with a bang, and in breeZed RhOda
Dutton.
RhOda never makes calm or
quiet entry. She always is in a
hurry, always excited about some
thing. Which, perhaps, is one rea-
son I am SO fond of her. For by
nature I am stodgy enough and
contrasts usually attract.
I am alone in the world and have
been earning my own living for the
last seven years. My first position
was waiting for me when | was
graduated from business college on
my eighteenth birthday.
Financially speaking, my seven
years have been a success. I am
private secretary to a prominent
lawyer who pays me a more than
liberal salary and gives me a cor
responding amount of responsible
ity. I like my work and I suppose
I'm as happy, perhaps more so,
than the average girl. But seven
years of work with not much play
tends to have a SOLDERING effect. I
often wish I could look at life with
the eager zest which Rhoda always
displays.
I'm on my way to Hill House,"
was her jubilant greeting.
Today" I surprisedly ex-
claimed. Il thought your vacation
started next week"
II though; so, too. But they
made a change in the vacation list
at the Office and the boss asked me
if I minded if he showed me ahead
a week. I did like ducks" she went
on in her slangy way. "Duncan's
leave started today anyway, so it's
all to the good for u.s."
That's fine, Rhoda," said
heartily. She has been engaged to
Duncan Abbott for almost year
and, as they first met at Hill
House, could sympathize with
their desire to go back there.
Dune is a grand good scout. 1
like him. He always sees the funny
side of everything which, from OBJ
servation, believe to be big ad-
vantage in a husband. He yves to
tease, just as Rhoda does. l, with
my red head and face which will
never launch one ship, let alone
thousand, come in for lot Of his
good-natured banter. It is good
natured, never unkind, and I rather
enjoy his sly fun poking.
He is stockily built, with thick
brown hair. slightly graying at the
temples, round pleasant face,
genial brown eyes and a hearty
laugh. He and Rhoda are devoted
to each other and make an ador-
able couple. But then lhoda's deep
blue eyes and golden curls would
dress up the homeliest landscape.
I think this will be her last visit
to Hill HOUSE before she takes a
different name.
why don't you come to Hill
House with us, Sally9" Rhoda
asked wheedlingly. Mrs. Peake
treats us as though we are her own
family, and she gives us the grand
est eats!"
Don't start again on that list of
marvellous food, Rhoda," I flung at
her. I'm starved thinking about
it."
Then come with u.s." she coaxed.
"There are clam pancakes, quohaug
chowder and blueberry pie. Yum.