The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1915-10-07
Mr.. Treadwen' S
Vacation
By MARTHA v. MONROE

| April saw III newspaper among al
vertisements for summer hotels ant
boarding houses one that arrested hi
attention. 1t was this:
| A widow with several grown sons snt
| daughters, owning a country home, woult
like a few boarders for July and August
A small auto, tennis grounds and othe
means Of amusement will be at the dis
posal Of guests; references required.
Mr.. Treadwell inferred what was no
stated in the advertisement-that {
guest would be received as a member
of the family. He was obliged If he
went on a vacation to go alone. Con
sequently he had no desire to go, fol
he was much dependent upon asso-
ciates. In this country place he fan
cied he would obyiate this difficulty.
The sons and daughters" especially
the latter, seemed inviting. He enter
ed into correspondence with the adver-
hser with the result that he engaged a
room for his vacation in July
He arrived III the evening about 8
O'Clock, which was shortly before dark
A negro butler announced that most Of
the family had gone on a picnic and
he expected them home at any minute.
Miss Clara was somewhere about, but
he didn't know where. Treadwell said
he would wait. He went into the liv-
ing room and. seeing lounge. on
which some one had evidently been re-
Ginning. for there were an afghan and
pillow on it. he sat down for rest
The twilight deepened There seem
ed to be no one about to light the
lamps. and the young man soon found
himself in the dark. Tired from tray
cling, he stretched himself on the
lounge. The first thing he knew, or.
rather, didn't know, he was asleep.
He was awakened by hand laid on
his forehead-a soft hand which he
felt sure was feminine.
Feel better?' The voice of the
speaker was melodious soprano.
Now, there was something extremely
pleasant about this petting. which was, |
Of course. intended for another, and |
Treadwell was not minded to bring it |
to a termination. so he simply said |
'Um!' without opening his mouth.
I've brought up some supper for
you. Do you want it,"
"Um. uh.' grunted Treadwell, giving
| negative intonation.
Meanwhile the hand was removed
rom the forehead and slid down to
me of Treadwells. This was becoming
| member of the widows family with
vengeance. Treadwell was somewhat
roubled about the result of his accept
ng these attentions, but both the hand
md the voice were so soft that he
bought only of how to avoid inter
upting them
Il wish they'd come" the lady con
inued. Mother said they'd surely be
ack by Z O'Clock. and it must be O.
IN going to light up"
"Uh. uh" grunted Treadwell, as
hough his throat were out of order,
till holding on to the hand
Rather lie in the dark, Ell? That's
ne way with me when I'm sick.
,onder what's become of the man who
,as to arrive this evening. If he
loud come and find the house dark it
-ould be poor reception He might
I'm around and go back to the city.
wonder what he's like"
Treadwell could hardly help saying. :
He's fine fellow, and when you see
i'm you will have met your fate" but .
= refrained. He was thinking that he
ould excite suspicion by silence when
ere was the sound of an automobile
I'd a babel of voices approaching
his hand from hers, he
lbbed his eyes. started up and ex-
aimed:
II must have fallen asleep"
There was Il subdued Shrek. The
RI hustled about and struck a match
lie saw strange man looking at her
if just awakened from sleep.
BEG pardon" he said I'm Mr..
caldwell l was waiting for some
ppose.' !
Are you sure you've been asleep"
She raised the chimney of lamp and
lched the match to the wick. At the =
me time noisy party of picnickers
ME up the steps and poured into the
)m.
Mother" said the girl who had been
ting the guest. this is the gentle J
In that was to arrive 7
I'm Elisha Treadwell," said that 1
1tleman. )
Am happy to see you, Mr.. Tread +
II. I'm sorry you've had such dole G
reception" ~
Don't mention it, =
Ethel. why didn't you light the g
nps?"
Why mother, Jim was in here ON :
lounge, or | thought he was, and u
idn't think he wanted a light. He
gone up to his ROOM -
He didn't" said Treadwell-"I mean
idn't mind sitting in the dark at ALL"
Ir. Treadwell was taken into the
ing room. where hot supper was
ved-with plenty of highland it
5 evident to him that he had struck =
the place he needed for vaca-
/. Now and again he caught Ethel n
King at him suspiciously. but he put
an expression of unconscious guilt
hat expresses what he was trying