The Whitefish pilot., 1911-11-09

delicately lighted with carefully ais
posed electric bulbs. A wood nre
Whispered In the wide fireplace. and
several comfortable chairs were gath.
cred around the hearth. where . white
haired woman was dispensing tea.
There were several other women. some
within the tall shadow Of the settle.
The white haired woman dropped q
teaspoon with a silvery clatter and
arose to her feet. Justin saw With
dazed eyes that her face was startled
out Of its customary sweet repose and
that she looked at him with astonish.
ment and displeasure rather than vel.
co0s. ...E .
II ask your pardon. madam-Mrs.
Stone. ! came upon your place BY mis-
take. and l asked your man II might
telephone to this little boys parents
that be was found and that would
return him at once" Re stammered
after q little awkward silence.
'Oh. its little Frederick: How de-
lighted poor, Evelyn will be. Here
= the telephone booth. Mr.. Delos."
When Justin emerged after reassur-
ing the delighted parents that be
would return the wandering Frederick
to their arms at once be found Mrs.
Stone awaiting him at the end OF the
corridor. She held out her hand. smil.
ing rather sadly as she did 90.
II must ask your pardon, Mr.. Delos.
for not giving you heartier welcome.
l was 50 startled at sight Of you
quite lost my wits for the moment"
you hardly expected to see me-"
said Delos with rueful smile. I'm
afraid II I'd known you were here I'd
never have ventured to knock at your
door. hospitable as it always was in
the past. Pardon me for that blunder-
Ing reminder" he begged hastily.
Certainly, Justin. Will you come
and drink cup of tea with usy" She
paused at his protesting hand.
THANK you. dear Mrs. Stone. bat
couldn't-n0t until you change your
mind about me. you know" he said
firmly.
Change my mind! All. Justin. we did
that almost Immediately after you left
In anger. If you had only read and
needed our explanatory letters you
would have known that Mr.. Stone was
quite satisfied that the fault Of the ac-
cident rested entirely on defect in
our machine and not in your driving.
But you never answered our letters.
and you declined to see my husband
Il never received your letters. Mrs.
Stone. and as soon rs | learned that
Dita-Miss Stone was out Of danger |
went abroad and have been home only
few weeks. You see. | bought
place not far from here-thought I'D
get in a new part Of the country and
wouldn't meet any of the old crowd.
But it's small world"
ut is indeed. and you haven't asked
after my daughter. Justin. It's three
years since you last saw her. isn't 1t 2"
She searched his face with anxious
motherly eyes.
II haven't dared ask for her. I've
felt that was to blame for reckless
driving. and I shall never forget her
white face as she lay unconscious on
the stones nor the words of your hus,
band as he accused me of having mur-
dered her-murdering Dita when-oh.
what's the use? You knew how felt
about 1t. Mrs. Stone"
For an instant her warm hand press
ed his. and then she glided away to
give place to tall. slender form,
crowned with golden hair. whose face
was rosy with health and whose gray
eyes were now alight with happiness
which had been postponed until this
blissful moment. Justin could scarcely
believe his hungry eyes when her own
answered his unspoken appeal aud the
quiet corridor witnessed the reunion of
the parted lovers.
After awhile the wailing Master
Frederick Templeton Lesson demand
ed to be taken to his mamma. Il
don't like perdition!" he protested.
"Perdition!' repeated Justin for the
second time that evening. why
perdition. chr
Perdtta Stone laughed merrily. Its
such good joke. Justin. 1t seems his
mother told him this road led to Per-
dita's. and he translated 1t into per.
dition.' and the cook gave him a literal
Interpretation Of that word. and he's
been afraid to come here ever since.
haven't you. Frederick"
II like Miss Dita. but don't want to
stay In l,erdition." yowled Frederick.
Justin lifted him to his shoulder and
turned to Mrs. Stone with his old win
ming smile. I'm going to take Fred
erick home. Would you trust Perdita
with me to0?"
Without word Mrs. Stone stood a
tiptoe to kiss the tall young man. while
Perdita slipped away to don coat and
scarf
AS they whirled down the dark
avenue and into the winding road
Frederick snuggled between them and
uttered a sleepy sigh.
II guess we're out of perdition now"
"And right into paradise" concluded
Justin hannilv