Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-05
when light strong clear

a guide-though II II is objected that a
| keeper would have been more useful,
shant contend the point.
Moreover, 1 returned to find the town
| fog-bound.
l handed my baggage checks to a runner
| for the Carleton and Immediately stepped
out into the street and the fog-stepped,
| in way, from the crude realities OF today
into mystical midregion of Romance:
from the twentieth to the eighteenth CEN
tury.
This was at night you understand. I
believe the hour was verglng toward 10.
The swinging doors of the terminal slapped
| together 1 slipped on wet and Shiny
| step and lurched forward into the fog's
| dank embrace. In that instant I was lost.
When 1 turned the terminal was van
ished-swallowed up in tho omnivorous NAV
of that cursed mist; was instantly unde-
termined as to whether or no l had turned
squarely about / was dazed, II the truth
Is to be told and swung slowly around on
my heel, glaring into an almost impene-
trable obscurity.
Here and there lights glowed feebly
roseate. seemingly at considerable dis
tances; what they stood for was riddle.
1 made for one, struggling with a rd!cu-
lous desire to stretch out my arms and
thrust the fog behind with the palms OF
my hands-much as one swims. On the
way 1 blundered into the arms of an indi-
vldual who first clasped me ardently TO his
bosom, then thrust me aside with NUT
tered oath--or an apology. 1t was diff-
cult to determine which. did not greatly
care.
Presently I was embracing lamp-post.
and, reasoning logically that a curb must
be near at hand put out tentative foot
and verified this sage surmlse. Then cast
ing adrift, began to follow the curb with
the comfortable assurance that II would
,ft,aI aaH nuyha In fhn
gloom men passed me like shadows-some-
what as l have seen steamer loom hugely
from fog on the Newfoundland Bank and
slip silently on into the unknown.
And after a bit lost my guiding curb
and was utterly at sea- Presently, however,
1 stumbled smack into the rear wheels OF
coupe. and incontinently gave heartfelt
thanks. A London fog Is an interesting
thing II teens with an inflnity of possi-
bilities but, even to the fascinated stranger,
sufficient unto one day Is sample there
OF. For my part I was heartily sick Of il
all, and desired nothing better than my bed
room at the Carleton.
Paving the wheels and sides of the We
hlcle-for 1 was determined not 70 get
out of touch with 1t under any clrcum-
stances-I made my way around to the
shafts and there. looking up, beheld in the
dim illumination furnished by a lamp
toward which had evidently been progress
ing. but which seemed to poke itself sud
denly out of the obscurity-I beheld, /
say on a level with my eyes. a pair of
shoes and a knee-high length of frayed
trousers. conceivably a section OF the
driver.
At once grumbIed protests became
audible. His words, however, were unln-
telligible, being delivered into a stratum of
atmosphere several feet above my head
At length, however, round, red counte-
nance, resembling somewhat drowsy har-
vest moon. was lowered jerklly toward me.
Two sleep-blinded eyes blnked into mine,
and a breath foul with stencil Of liquor
caused me 10 step back 10 a respectful dis
tance.
''Wot?" said the driver surily.
"ATe you engaged?" l demanded.
His answer seemed to be In the mega
"can you take me to the carletonF' I
pursued tenaelously.
He nodded.
''The Carleton" 1 shouted, hoping to
drill my desired destination into his head
by sheer force OF repetition.
He seemed to come to himself abruptly.
His voice husky and thick was suddenly
and surprisingly strong and distinct.
hi said yes| he told me Fesentfully,
HOw many tonnes ave Hi got to tell yer?'
Then in quieter more respectful tone
Climb in. gov'ner."
/ obeyed meekly sure that had accom-
plished my end, seeing the white coYerlet
Of the bed In near prospects, grateful
thought.
had no notion as to the CaTleton's place
upon the map Of London; Il might have
been within half block or miles away,
for all l could say; and realized that
I WAS at the mercy OF my guide, and
must blde my time with what eomposure /
had at my command.
And we erawled. Today could not rec
ognlze the horse that drew that snperan-
nuated vehicle were / u meet him face 10
face but l am willing 70 wager recklessly
that ne was a mere wornout rack OF hide
and bones Throughout the whole adven-
ture he showed but once the slightest evil
denes Of speed only once did he seem Ia
millar with trQt or even On speaking
terms With rapid walk
Minutes dragSed on into ! know nof how