Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-04
WHAPTER v. ON THE LAKE.
\ 1Rs. wITHERsPooN offered


 sWk me room on the ground floor N of the house in the end near
 est the highway, the latest of the parts which had arisen in the growth of that remarkable structure. It was in every way inviting, being large and cool and furnished with a simple elegance quite beyond my ex- pectationS. There was a mahogany bedstead of the old style, yet not ugly, and the most cursory investigation re- Tealed modern springs of the best pat tern. The chairs, the writing table and the sofa were all equally fraudulent; they all concealed the comforts of to- day behind thin mask of the antique. 1t was pleasant that these things should seem to be the solid, cheerless lumber of our grandfathers and should so readily betray themselves for prod ucts of time less rude. Indeed 1t was the chief charm of Mrs. Witherspoons s hospitality that it was not what it seem ed. The place pretended to be farm house, and was nothing of the sort. Few people in these days like a farm house. We have outgrown the sinceri- ty of a life so near the soil It would not be we'll to go out of modern busi- ness or modern society into any form of sincerity. Such a pretense as Mrs. Witherspoon provides is very nice, but the reality Is like the iced ''tub'' in the morning, a thing that some men talk about and never take.
 There were three windows, and two of them looked out toward the lake. I could catch a glimpse of the little house under the apple tree, and the view adown the gentle slope was very Ee1reshing to the eye, The quarters pleased me, and made prompt bar gain for them at a price that would bnce have given me spasm of the pocket.
 had come without any baggage at. dI, and 1t was necessary to return at once Ho St. 10 Tn that city I experi- bnced some small delays, and it was hfter 2 o'clock when I came again to MKs. Wttherspoon's and helped the man who had ridden out with me to carry tn my trunks. When he had driven bwaX L-ssE down by window and en- loved the view. The place savored of komance. It was delightfully."- unreal, and was beginning to fancy myself floating on the lake in the moonlight with Anna Lamoine when the baser craving of hunger shattered the dream. The vision had endured for a few seconds only, for I was in state to gnaw the bark of the apple tree that bhaded my eastern window. Indeed had some thought of it's fruit, scarcely put of the bud. and glanced in that di- fection for an instant. Turning again to look ont toward the lake, I stared straight into the face of Jimmy La moine, whose head just reached above the window sill.
 Jimmy enjoyed my surprise He had a way of grinning with his eyes, the lower part of his face remaining as expressionless as slice of beefsteak.
 "I told Mrs. Witherspoon I'd show you the dining room," said he.
 sYou don't mean to tell me that there Is anything to eat at this hourr' I ex- claimed.
 '.You can always get something to Sat here," he said. '"There ain't any hours"
 Tn previous experiences with rustic living had been burdened by the ri- gidity of mealtime regulations, and I had had no thought that Mrs. Wither- spoon would serve lunch as late as half paat 2.
 "You are taking a starving sailor off 8 raft" said to Jimmy, and I gave him half dollar, which he received Ezith the solemnity of rite.
 He laid the coin in the palm of his hand, closed his fingers upon 1t and opened them again. My money had vanished. Having performed this mys- kery, Jimmy gravely led the way to-
 sad the dining room, seeming to know
 e sort of intuition that should
 exit by the window instead
 the longer route.
 Fitherspoon's dining room was
 ms, like the house. and each
 had its exits and its entrances.
 vas aware. in the course of my meal.