The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-10-13

| When the conversation was finished
Payton hung up his receiver and leaned
pack In his chair with laugh. But IL
was very different laugh from thar
with which he was accustomed to put
lis guests" into good humor and make
hem feel that he was the most agree
lble of companions. 1t was laugh
hat would have sent a chill to Miss
srayman's heart, so cold, so cruel, so
Expressive was 1t of satisfied cunning
md anticipated triumph.
1t was q couple of hours before Pay
ton knocked at the door of the little
.abin and called Miss Grayman out to
witness the arriva, OF the aero at its
destination. She was little surprised
| 10 find how rapidly they had descended
| from their aerial flight. They were
now within hundred feet or so OF the
ground, and as she glanced around she
could see nothing but trees on all sides
tall, wild looking trees whose aspect
proclaimed that they at least belonged
| 10 a real wilderness.
"I begin to doubt" said Miss Gray
man, addressing Susan. for Payton had
Immediately withdrawn to superintend
The landing, whether we are, after all.
in the Catskills. l don't believe that
the Catskill woods are so large"
"But there was town. you know"
said Susan.
"Ah, yes, but we may have come
hundreds of miles since we saw that
[ can't understand why my friends
should have put the rendezvous at
such distance. but / suppose they
had some good reason. Anyhow. we
shall soon see them now. and all will
be explained. Just think Of it! They
must have come by aero also. Isn't it
romantic?'
While they were talking the Chame-
leon quietly descended until her aero
plane almost swept the top branches
Of the tall pines and hemlocks. Her
movements were directed by sharp.
short orders from Payton. Suddenly
she sank through an opening in the
treetops and entered a forest glade,
and, with the branches sweeping over
head, she moved very cautiously, like
a ship in tortuous channel. Then
partial clearing appeared directly
ahead. and CLEAN of water came to
their eyes. This soon resolved itself
into small lake. embosomed in the
forest, with a large building on its
shore.
"Stop herr commanded Payton.
A SILVER ran through the aero. she
settled gracefully for a few seconds
and came to rest just in front Of the
building. Immediately two men in
woodsmen or hunters dress ran to
meet her. and in the Goor Of the build
ing appeared Il stout, rudy faced wo-
man wearing a huge white cap and
smiling welcome.
1--WE have arrived safely, Miss Gray
man." said Payton. approaching, hat
In hand. Permit me to assist you
down"
She took his offered hand and de-
scended upon Il bright. sandy path
which led from the Jake to the house.
IT welcome you to my lodge in the
wilderness" said Payton. at has new
er had n guest who could do it so much
honor
"Then this is yours?" she exclaimed.
"Oh. yes; 1t belongs 10 me, but quite
as much TO my friends"
"But where are my friends?"
81 had hoped to be counted as one of
them" Payton replied. smiling. But,
unfortunately. the others have not yet
come. l rather expected to distance
them. for my aero has few rivals for
fleetness, but they cannot be far away.
Let me put you in charge of my house
keeper. Mrs. Williams. who will make
you as comfortable as possible until
their arrival. Ask her for anything
that you may require and command
her as If she were your own servant
MRS. Williams" he continued. "this
is Miss Grayman of New York. Show
her and her maid to the front suit and
see that she lacks nothing to make her
comfortable"
Mrs Williams made profound cour-
tesy, and her smile broadened as she
led the way into the lodge.