Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-03-08
CHAPTER I.
TIE uEsITATINo eTEP.

ward it-clouds heavy with
snow. I watched these clouds
as I drove recklessly. desperately
over the winter roads. had just
missed the desire Of my life. the one
precious treasure which I coveted
with my whole undisciplned heart,
and. not being what you call a man
Of self restraint, I was chafed BY
my defeat far beyond the bounds I
have usually set for myself.
rode on. hardly conscious Of my
course. till the rapid recurrence Of
several well known landmarks warned
me that I had taken the longest route
home and that In another moment ]
should be skirting the grounds of the
Whispering Pines, our country club
house. The season was over and tho
clubhouse closed, and when, the great
stack of chimneys coming suddenly
into view against the broad disk Of
the still unclouded moon, perceived
q thin trail Of smoke soaring up from
their midst I realized with q shock
that there should be no such dgn Of
Life in q house myself had closed,
locked and barred that very day.
Twas the president Of the club and
felt responsible. I turned in ut the
lower gateway. For reasons which I
need not now state there were no
bells attached to INV cutter. and CON
seouently my approach was noiseless.
I was careful that It should be 20: also
careful to stop short of the front door
and leave my horse and sleigh in the
black depths Of the pine grove, press.
ing up to the walls on either aide.
was sure that MI was not a. Il should
be inside these walls.
Our clubhouse stands, - It may b
necessary to remind you, on q knoll
thickly wooded with the ancient trees
I have mentioned These trees-all
pines and Of q growth unusual and
Of an aspect well nigh hoary-extend
only to the rear end Of the house.
where q wide stretch Of gently I'M
dulating ground opens 1t once upon
tho eye. suggesting to al lovers Of
golf the admirable use to which Il -
put from early spring to latest fan
Now links a. well - parterres and
driveways were lying under an even
blanket OF winter snow. No other
building stood with half mile In any
oirect1on.
: 1eit 1ne isoiauon ID l stepped nom
tne eoge OF the uees ana prepared 70
cfoss inc Kew rect OF open space leeo'
ing 70 tne nam ooor' IN some mooos
snouio nave paused ana tnouent
twlce Deiore attempting the door. D.
nino wnicn IN tne oaEk !urkeo tne I'M
Known with its naturally accompany.
ing SUGGESTION OF peru BUT rage ana
me. bad left no space for fear. Rather
rejoicing In the doubtfulness Of tho
adventure. I pushed my way over the
snow until my feet struck the steps.
Here instinct caused me to stop and
glance quickly up and down the build-
ing either way. Not a CLEAN Of light
met my eye from the smallest scintil-
lating pane. Was the house a. sound
less as 1t was dark?
I listened. but heard nothing. ! listen
ed again and still heard nothing. Then
I proceeded boldly up the steps and
laid my hand on the door.
1t was Unmatched ana yielded to my
touch. Light or no light sound or no
sound, there was some one within.
The fire which had sent its attenuated
streak OF smoke up into the moonlit
air was burning yet on one Of the
many hearths within. proceeded to
enter and close the door carefully be-
hind me. As did SO I cast an invol-
untary glance without The sky was
inky. and few wandering fakes Of
tne now iapaaiv aovsncins ssorm
came wnirnng m oiuns my cneeks
ana sunglng my toFeneao.
Once INSIDE stopped snoEL possibly
70 listen again. possibly 70 assure my.
sen as 10 what mao pest 90 next
1ne sAence was protouno' MOI q
eounu u!sturDeu tne great empV u"Au'
lug. ny o"n .Uuau % so