Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-11-24
CHAPTER TX.
The Window.


lights Glove path through darkness,
like a 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
n palpitant pause. Ember jumped. out
to open a barred gate, then, returning,
swung the car into 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. 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 a clearing and immedi-
ately turned aside to the open doorway
of a 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 q scattering planta-
tion of pine.
Linking arms the better to guide his
guest, Ember drew him toward the
lights.
Bungalow" he explained, senten-
tious. fourishing his free hand; "her-
mitnge-retreat."
Paradise" Whitaker summed up, In
the same manner. "No neighbors?"
"Oh"-Ember motiOned to his left as
they faced the water-"there's mar
ried establishments 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 not
coming down this year."
$50 much the better. I've been want
ing just this all summer. without real
izing it," NN
welcome, then, to Half-a-Loaf
lodgel"
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 a COM
Portable distance from the hearth
stood a table bright with linen, silver
and crystal--covers for two. The rear
walk was broken by three doors, in
one Of which a rotund Chinaman
beamed oleaginously. Ember hailed
him by the title Of Sum Fat, ex-
plalning that It wasn't his name, but
claiming for it the virtue of exquisite
felicity. .U-
'My servant In town. here man.
of-all-w0rk; 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 him forthwith to q bed
room furnished with the rigid simple
round the clock. The shrill, impera-
tive rattle of 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 tap at his door, and his host
entered.
up, eh2" he said cheerfully. II was
afraid I'd have to wake YOU" His
smile vanished beneath the clouds o.
an impatient frown. "This is the devi
of note I've got to leave YOU"
whats the trouble"
"Thats what I'm called upon to fnt
out A friend of mines in a tigh
place. and I've got to go and help pul
him through. He just called me up
and / can't refuse. D'you mind beinl
left alone for day or so?"
Certainly not-Only I'm sorry"
"No more than 1. But I'll try to ge
back tomorrow II l don't, the mex
day--or as soon as / possibly car
Meanwhile, please consider yoursel
lord and master here. Sum Fat wi
take good care Of you. Anything yo
want, just ask him. Now I've got
get into waterprOOfs-its raining lik
all get-out, but can't wait for a le
up"
BY the time Whitaker was ready fC
breakfast his host had splashed Off
his motor car.
The wind, freshening and drivin
very respectable II miniature roller
against the beach, came in heavy gust
alternating with periods of stead
strong blowing. At times the shiniI
lances of the rain seemed to driV
almost horizontally. Whitaker poke
his head into the kitchen. In that II
maculate place, from which evel
hint Of breakfast had disappeared |
II by magic, Sum Fat was religious
cleaning his teeth-fOr the third tin
that morning. to Whitaker's certa
knowledge.
When he had finished, Whitaker .
a question:
"Sum Fat, which way does the viii
blow, do you knowf"
Sum Eat flashed him a dazzlil
smile.
Easily" he said in a cheerf
clucliDg voice. II think vely fl
thres-day blow"
eat least" said Whitaker, you're
hlgh-splrited prophet of evil, tina
you"
HS selected a book from sevel
shelves stocked with a discriminate
taste. and settled himself before
Gre.
The day wore out before his patier
did, and with every indication of +
filling the prognosis of Sum Fat;
uightfall the wind had developed il
.~" 2" gale. driving before