New-York tribune., 1907-11-24

Here that road map was at fault again. ] --1em-
bered that grInly, even the autoTnct.e went
SplashIng along through growing pools al v ter and
invisible ruts IN the wagonway- l cluu- --lnlv
To the steering wheel with only one idea mind.
TO get to Mien. Already was wet throu- from
the terrific downpOur, and chilling numbre-- was
SeizIng upon limbs
Gradually the road turned toward the left e- so
ii seemed To me But that too might have been The
effect of an overweight brain. The road did not
look SO much travelled now, despite the de tive
rutS into which my wheels sanl, with matl.rlng
frequency. Vet beneath its sheet of wa-e- the
steadily cleaning lights showed that there
road. plainly marked For a minute or more 2 sup
pose. | went straight desperately, reCL .>~-v-
then an illuminating flash across the sky shov 3 me
that was plmglng into open country. and The
forest was gradually reCedIng
Finally. through the swirling, drenching -..c. |
saw a. FAINT rosy point IN the distance Wh--, .- L
was, lantern / supposed, It al least indie -- The
presence Of some fellow human being ] rove
straight toward it The geam did not falte- de
Another dazzling burst of lightning answer my
question To the nature OF the light Il
farm house "a farm house out here wle-. ere
Weren any farm houses, SqUattlng m an .I.- Id,
a ramshacklc two-Storied affair. But al lest t
would serve o. shelter me from the fury oI IL. m
| took all of at glance even 70 a SIN. ed
n the rear where ! might store my machine
Il didn pause to call as drew near, bur 70
the shed and IAN my Then guided ne
constant lightning flashes, | walked round he
front of the farm house, passing through The
OF light from the window as | went 1t cheer me-
that light Il offered an unexpected haven AT
physical -efreshmeut OF which was So much - ID
possible companionshp and above all a ref--.
II knocked ON the front door loudly, the Il. ier
was rolling necessarily now then shook the
from my dripping garments | waited ed
patiently enough for hall a minute |
There was No answering sound of any sort. -- -n
| knocked tins time InSI, tcutlV even clam.
Still no answer 1t not difficult 70 irua-- -l-
the continuous roar of the elements had Dr. ed
the feeble knock, and / repeated the pert- zee
with several thunPmg, banging variation --.A
answer
Even in this desperate strait l did r.- IKE
To enter the house "a thief might, g.,
my way, and run the risk too OF being FL. ed
thief, possibly with a bullet.
- stepped down from the veranda and nj
a. to the lighted window intending u --Ct
g. attention by rapping on the sIaS- Ny
8S$S trSt glimpse told me no one WAS ..---C-
<&t8 hut the room gave every eviGcr.. Il
occupancy. big cheerful log
burning, and its tiiCkerug light >..e 81
&S& books Strewn about here and tte-.
&A& vltlng chairs, table. and all ta --le
*&3& knlCkknaCkS that make a CONT -e
S sitting room, There beside that by -Iv
&s hE'zrng TIRE was comfort, and here he
penetrating chill of the storm.
had no further SCruPles about l
~ was gong INTO that rooml l ran ur the
EfT steps, and was Just reaching out my md
80 to Try the knob when the latch eli, -ad.
f4& and slowly, silently. the door swung ,- -r-
Ry Naturally expected to meet some one
some one who had anticipated me In tt-ng
tHt tttch,-but saw no The dOyr lad
merely opened, revealing a rather long. broad
y halfway, with star IN the distance. and ur-
lighted save for the reflection from the ste
tnE room took just two steps across she
thTcShold enough to get out Of the Swirling ram.
tnSn stopped and called No answered.
called a second time For a wonder the thuuGrrS
We're silent Just then and there was no sound save
mat ot my own voice. l veutured along the hall
To tue sitting room door and looked in. II MAS
coy, warm. comfortable. more. So even than / usd
imagined when looked through the window
tNll 1t once was overcome by a guilty. sense ot
intrusion What right had l To enter a strange
house dt this time of night IN this manner even to
u MN -,fsr