Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-12-07
CHAPTER TX.
The Window.


after three in the afternoon, twilight
was fast ebbing into night when Ember
gave the motor It's head Its head
lights Glove path through darkness,
Ike splendid sword; on either hand
woodlands and desolate clearings
blurred into dark and rushing walls ;
only the wonderful wilderness of stars
remained imperturbable.
Whitaker. braced against the jolting
snatched begrudged mouthfuls of air
strong of the sea. He had no very def
mite Idea of their whereabouts, having
neglected through sheer Indifference to
question Ember, but he knew that they
were drawing minute by minute closer
TO the Atlantic.
After some time the car slowed to
a palpitant pause. Ember jumped out
TO open barred gate, then, returning
swung the car into a clear but narrow
woodland road. Mine own domain"
he informed Whitaker with laugh.
Now we're shut of the world en-
tirely."
Whitaker bent forward, inquiring :
"Where are we?
Almost there. Patience"
Whitaker reckoned idly that they
must have threaded a good two miles
of woodland, when at length the car
emerged upon clearing and immedi-
ately turned aside to the open doorway
Of miniature garage.
The forest hemmed the clearing on
three sides; on the fourth lay water.
A hundred yards distant the lighted
windows of one-story structure shone
pleasantly through scattering planta-
ton of pine.
Linking arms the better to guide his
guest, Ember drew him toward the
lights.
Bungalow" he explained, senten-
tious, flourishing his free hand; her
mltage-retreat."
Paradise" Whitaker summed up, in
the same manner, mo neighbors"
"Oh''-Ember motioned to his left as
they faced the water-"there's a mar
where, but we don't bother one another.
Fellow by the name of Fiske. under
stand the place is shut up-Fiske not
coming down this year."
$50 much the better. I've been want
ing just this all summer, without real
lzing it,"
Welcome, then, to Half-a-Loaf
lodge"
They entered a long and deep liv-
ing room with walls of peeled logs and,
at one end, stone fireplace wherein
a wood fire blazed heartily. At com
Portable distance from the hearth
stood table bright with linen, silver
and crystal-coyers for two. The rear
wall was broken by three doors in
one of which a rotund Chinaman
beamed oleaginously. Ember hailed
him by the title of Sum Fat, ex-
claiming for 1t the virtue of exquisite
felicity.
My servant in town, here man
of-all-work; I've had him for years !;
faithful and indispensable. :"
Toward the end of an excellent din
ner, Whitaker caught himself nodding
and blinking with drowsiness. EN-
Der took laughing compassion upon
him and led hiiu forthwith to a bed
room furnished with the rigid simple
ity Of a summer camp. Then he slept
round the clock. The shrill, impera-
tive rattle of a telephone bell reused
him. As he dressed he could hear the
voice of Ember in the living room talk
Ing over the telephone. Presently there
came a tap at his door, and his host
entered.
Up. eh?" he said cheerfully. Il was
afraid I'd have TO wake you" His
smile vanished beneath the clouds of
an impatient frown. "This is the devil
u a note: I've got TO leave you"
What's the troublef"
That's what I'm called upon to find
out A friend of mines in a tight
place, and I've got to go and help pull
him through. He Just called me up
and can't refuse. D'you mind being
left alone for day or soP
Certainly not--only Tn sorry"
NO more than ]. But I'll try to get
back tomorrow. II / don't, the next
4ay--og as soon as / possibly can.
Meanwhile, please consider yourself
lord and master here. Sum Fat viii
AXE good care of you. Anything you
want, Just ask him. Now I've got TO
act into waterproofs-it's raining Ike
Gll get-out, but / can't wait for let
up"
BY the time Whitaker was ready for
breakfast his host had splashed of TO
MS motor car.
he wind. freshening and driving
cry respectable II miniature rollers