Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1911-06-23

as he brought the machine handsome
~ under the lighted porte -cochere and
jammed down his levers. His siren
uttered Il brief commanding salute.
the door opened instantly. and Il man
servant appeared.
I've missed the road. my man.
said Justin. and | would ike To he
set right if you can direct me to the
Cross Highway"
"A mile back. sir. You probably
passed the turn without noticing.
From there on is private properly. Ii
you turn around and 90 back over
your own tracks you'll find your way
all right"
Thanks" said Justin, tossing the
man coin. oh, | wonder if your
people would allow me to use te.e-
phone for moment. I've picked up n
little lost boy and
| certainly. sir. If it's Mr.. Lessons
little boy it's all right. They've been
| telephoning here to know if we've
seen him. Come right III"
He held open the door and admitted
Justin and his sleepy charge into
wide entrance hall softly carpeted and
delicately lighted with carefully dis
posed electric bulbs. A wood fire
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
| wi hni a
teaspoon with silvery clatter and
arose to her feet. Justin saw with
daZed eyes that her face was Startl led
out of its customary sweet repose and
that she looked at him with uStoniSh-
ment and displeasure rather than well
come.
Il ask your pardon. madam-MrS.
Stone. / came upon your place by mis-
take. and ! asked your man if might
telephone to this little boys parents
that he was found and that would
return him at once" he stummpred
after little awkward silence.
"Oh. its little Frederick. How de-
lighted poor Evelyn will be. Here
is the telephone booth. Mr.. Dplns."
When Justin emerged after reasSur-
ing the delighted parents that he
would return the wandering Frederick
to their arms at once he found Mrs.
Stone awaiting him at the end of the
corridor. She held out her hand. smil-
ing rather sadly as she did so.
IL must ask your pardon. Mr.. DeloS,
for not giving you Il heartier welcome.
| was so startled ut sight of you
quite lost my wits for the moment"
You hardly expected to see me-"
said Delos with Il rueful smile. I'm
afraid If I'd known you were here ia
never have ventured to knock ut your
door, hosnitable as it always was in
the past. Pardon me for that bunder-
ing reminder" he begged hastily.
Certainly, Justin. Will you come
and drink ii cup of tea with u.s." She
paused at his protesting hand.
Thank You, dear Mrs. Stone but
couldnt-nOt until you change your
mind about NE. you know" he said
firmly
Change my minC, 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 az
cident rested entirely on defect in
our machine and not in your driving.
But you never answered our let terS.
and you declined to see my husband
Il never received your letters. Mrs.
Stone, and as soon as | 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 new part of the country aud
wouldn't meet any Of the old crowd.
But it's small world"
1T is indeed, and you haven't asked
after my daughter, Justin. It's three
years since you last saw her. isn't it 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 | 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 muir
|
what's the use? You knew how | felt
about it. Mrs. Stone"
For an instant her warm hand press
ed his. and then she glided away to
| give place to a 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 and the
| quiet corridor witnessed the reunion of
the parted lovers.
! After awhile the waiting 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. eh?''
Perdita Stone laughed merriIy. ITS
such a good joke. Justin. 1t seems his
| mOthar told him thiS road LODI Ia Dar.