Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-10-26
CHAPTER TX.
he Window.

Though they left New York not long
after three in 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 desoIate clearings
blurred into dark and rushing walls;
only the wonderful wilderness of stars
remained imperturbabie.
The forest hemmed the clearing on
three sides; on the fourth lay water.
A hundred yards distant the lighted
windows of a One-stOry structure shone
pleasantly through a scattering pIanta-
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-
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 not
coming down this year."
$50 much the better. I've been want
ing just this all summer, without real
izing it."
Welcome then, to Half-a-Loaf
lodge!"
They entered long and deep liv-
Ing room with walls of peeled logs and,
ut one end, stone fireplace wherein
n wood fire blazed heartily. At a com
Portable distance from the hearth
stood a table bright with linen, silver
and crystaI-covers for two. The rear
wall was broken by three doors, in
one of which a rotund Chinaman
beamed oleaginousIy. Ember hailed
him by the title of Sum Fat, ex-
planning that it wasn't his name, but
claiming for it 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 him forthwith to q bed
room furnished with the rigid simple
tty 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, ehT" he said cheerfully. 81 was
afraid I'd have to wake you" His
smile vanished beneath the clouds OF
an impatient frown. 'This is the devil
of note: I've got to leave you"
whats the troubIe?"
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 a day or so?"
certainty nOU-0nIV I'm SOfrV,'
mo more than /. But I'll try to get
back tomorrow. If 1 don't, the next
day-or as soon as 1 possibly can.
Meanwhile, please consider yourself
lord and master here. Sum Fat will
take good care of you. Anything you
want, just ask him. Now I've got to
get into waterproofs-it's raining like
all get-out, but I can't wait for a let
up"
BY tie time Whitaker was ready for
breakfast his host had splashed off to
his motor car.
The wind, freShening and driving
very respectable if miniature rollers
against the beach, came in heavy gusts,
alternating with periods of steady,
strong blowing. At times the shining
lances Of the rain seemed to drive
almost horizontally. Whitaker poked
his head into the kitchen. In that i'm
maculate place, from which every
hint of breakfast had disappeared as
If by magic, Sum Fat was religiousIy
cleaning his teeth-fOr the third time
that morning, to Whitaker's certain
knowledge.
When he had finished, Whitaker put
question:
"Sum Fat, which way does the wind
blow, do you knowY'
Sum Fat flashed him a dazzling
smile
Easily" he said in cheerful,
clucking voice. Il think vely fine
three-day blow"
at least" said Whitaker, you're a
high-spirited prophet of evil. 1 thank
IlITITl[InI