The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-12-07
CHAPTER TX.
The Window.

Though they left New York not long
after three I'm the afternoon, twilight
was fast ebbing into night when Ember
gave the motor its head. It's head
lights Glove path through darkness,
like splendid sword; on either hand
woodlands and desolate clearlngs
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
swung the car into a clear but narrow
woodland road. Mine own domain, >
he informed Whitaker with a laugh
"Now we're shut of the world en-.
tirely."
Whitaker bent forward, inquirlng
'Where are we?"
almost there. Patience"
Whitaker reckoned idly that they
must have threaded a good two miles
of woodland. when at length the cal
emerged. upon clearing and immedi
ateIy turned aside to the open doorway
OF miniature garage.
The forest hemmed the clearing or
three sides; on the fourth lay water
A hundred yards distant the lighted
windows Of one-story structure shonC
pleasantly through scattering planta
ton of pine.
Linking arms the better to guide hi:
guest, Ember drew him toward the
lights.
Bungalow" he explained, senten
dous, fiourishing his free hand; "her
mitage-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
ried establishment over there some
where, but we don't bother one another
Fellow by the name Of Fiske. under
stand the place is shut up-Fiske moi
coming down this year."
$50 much the better. I've been want
Ing just this all summer, without real
tzing It."
welcome. then, to Half-a-Loai
lodger"
They entered a long and deep liv
ing room with walls Of peeled logs and
at one end, a stone fireplace wherein
wood fire blazed heartily. At com
Iortable distance from the hearth
stood table bright with linen, silver
and crystal-covers for two. The real
wall was broken by three doors, IL
one of which a rotund Chinamar
oeamed oleaginously. Ember hailed
him by the title OF Sum Fat, ex
planning that It wesn't his name. but
claiming for II the virtue OF exquisite
felicity.
My servant ia town, here man
oi-ail-work; I've had him for years
faithful and Indispensable. :"
Toward the end Of an excellent din
her, Whitaker caught himself noddlne
una blinking with drOwsiness. En-
DER took laughing compassion upon
MIN and led him forthwith to a bed
room furnished with the rigid simple
''y OF a summer camp. Then he slept
round the clock. The shrill, impera
i've rattle OF telephone bell reused
'nin' AS he dressed he could hear the
voice Of Ember in the living room talk
'Hg over the telephone. Presently there
came tap at his door, aud his host
entered.
VI ehT' ne said cheerfully. II was
htraid I'd have to wake YOU" His
smile vanished beneath the clouds oi
"H impatient frown. "This IS the devl
OI g note I've got to leave YOU"
WHAT'S the trouble9"
thatawhat I'm called upon TO 1nc
out A friend Of mines in n tight
place, and I've got to go and help pull
Hinl through. He just called me up
ana can't refuse. D'you mind being
'elt alone for n day or so2"
certainly nOt-Only I'm sorry"
no more than J. But I'll try 70 eet
pack tomorrow. If i don't. the nexl
e3y-or as soon as T possibly can
Neanwhiie, please consider yourself
,ofu and master here. Sum Fat viii
take good care Of you. Anything you
"aht' Just ask him. Now I've got tC
GET INTO woterproofs-i raining like
up"
hy the time Whitaker was ready foi
eiFtast his host b99 spiassea on n
hie motor car.
Wind frcshenine and dsivina
'f' resnectahle n miniature roller.