Part 29 (2/2)
I showed the letter to Jake, who expressed a fear that the Bay was beco ”a damned pleasure resort,” as this would make the second ti in that house On the strength of the news, he drank an extra half-cup of whisky, then said, for decency's sake he would row out and bring the japs ashore when the _Cloochman_ came in
Two shy, pretty, little women they proved, who thanked Jake with smiles and profuse bows, much to that old rascal's confusion They were all bustle and work They had the boards down from the s and had the doors and ide open five ht, they were scrubbing, washi+ng, beating, dusting, polishi+ng and airing, until I was more inquisitive than an old maid's cat to view the results of their labours But my sense of propriety overcanorance
One night, after the little workers had gone back to Vancouver, I was lying in inibus Puerisque,” when I fancied I heard the throbbing of a gasoline launch
I rose and looked out at the open ; but it was one of those inky-black nights, without either ht when even the sea beca ceased, I heard the sound of oars and, as a small boat evidently neared the shore, there came a sound of voices, both male and fe the people, I presue I had no doubt in ht have been stone-blind so far as anything being visible was concerned
It was chilly standing there at the , in the night air, in hts were always chilly at Golden Crescent So I went back to bed, determined to wait and see what the lance out of doors, early next ht have been a drean of any stir in the house across the little, wooden, rustic bridge that connected it, over a narrow creek, with the roadway leading to the store That was only natural, as, in all probability, the travellers were journey-weary But a freshly painted rowing boat, with light oars, was made fast to the off side of the wharf, while several leather travelling bags and other packages were piled on the veranda of that house over the way
I had shaved, parted le and dressedto the extent of sewing a burst seas; all in anticipation of a visit fro they would be ale for their supplies
I dusted the shelves, polished the scales, put the sacks of potatoes where they belonged, mopped up some molasses that had escaped to the floor from a leaky can and swept out the store; then I waited in blissful anticipation for lie, wireless-telepathicthe night, for I noticed that he had been suddenly attacked by the same fever for cleanliness and smartness as I had been He had turned his neckcloth, and the clean side of it was now trying to delude the innocent outside world that it (the neckcloth) had been freshly washed Mike,--bad luck to his drunken carcass,--looked sick and appeared to be slowly recovering fro wore on I saw an elderly, rotund lady coe inside That was the only bit of excitement that happened, after all my preparations
Later, a launch called from Camp No 1, with an order for a thousand and one different coht away That put idle, inquisitive thoughts out of ot out of my best clothes, donned a half-dirty shi+rt, a suit of overalls and a pair of old boots, then got busy selecting, sorting and packing until ot rid of thearound in treain before I would knohere to lay le article; when a melodious, but rather measured, feminine voice, in the vicinity of my left shoulder, startled ht withby my side, while a stout, elderly lady,--the sa the doorway
I was messy all over with flour dust, brown earth froriers to load their goods, and this did not contribute to the improvement of my personal appearance I wiped my hands on my damp overalls, and my hands came out of the contact worse than before
”I wish to see theher skirts and displaying,--ah, well!--and stepping over so which lay in her way
”Your wish is granted, lady,” I answered
”Are you the ned astonishment
”I have that honour,to look at her face in my then dishevelled state
”I am Miss Grant,” she said
”Miss Grant! Pleased to rimy paw, like the fool I was When it was too late, I reht the paw back tolady had already drawn herself up with an undefinable dignity
It was a decided snub, and well merited, so I could hardly blaot of her then, that she was hatless and that her hair was a great crown of wavy, burnished gold, radiating in the sunlight that strea lady's companion
”It is our intention to live at Golden Crescent for some time, sir I understand we may purchase our supplies here?”
”Yes! madam,--miss”