The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-12-13

as at the end OF an hour. Finally he
crossed a plankway spanning a flow of
| sparkling surplus water, and, tracing
| its source, he made out a stone pa
vilion on q knoll half hidden in a nest
of luxuriant flowers and vine growth.
II shall wait until daylight" he so
liloquized, as he assembled the steps
Of the pavilion, dropped to bench be-
side marble table and gave utter
ance to sigh of profound relief. Then
with a violent start, almost a thrill,
he stared wondering at the end Of the
long bench. 1t held another occupant
than himself, a woman, fair and
comely.
She was asleep, and her face with
closed eyes and placid lips was turned
towards him. Her silken golden tresses
formed a pillow for one arm. The
pellucid moonlight clearly outlined the
classic features. Archer Wayne sat
spellbound. Who could she be-a ven
turesome tourist, belated, lost, like
himself? For the first time in his life
he found the opportunity to study, to
analyZe the face of woman. The
lines of character and loneliness at
tracted him, the strangeness of the
occasion enchanted fancy and satisfac-
ton.
Abruptly the fair blunderer sighed,
opened her eyes, and then, discovering
that she had companion, arose to
her feet in some trepidatlon. Wayne
followed her example, lifting his cap
courteously, with the words:
81 fear you, like myself, are a ven
turesome wanderer, out of your bear
ings."
His clear voice, his utter manliness
treasured the lady. She fastened to
smooth her disarranged tresses, she
smiled in pleased way.
IF that is your trouble, like my
own" she said sweetly, 81 am glad you
have come. Yes, have lost my way,
and the pavilion offered shelter, and l
shall not feel frightened now"
Wayne bowed in thanks at the ex-
pressed confidence in him of the beau
tiful stranger, and said:
perhaps we had better wait for
dawn. In the meantime" and he lift
ed to the stone table his tourist pack
and opened it. "If you are half fam
ished as l am, you will enjoy little
luncheon"
Her bright eyes twinkled approving
ly as he brought into evidence an cleo
trio tube, pressed its button and set it
upon the table. Then Wayne pro-
duced an appetizing array of food
which his precision had secured at
the settlement. Even to salt, pepper,
vinegar, the materials were at hand
to season a most satisfactory cold
luncheon.
She Joined him, gladstone invited
guest, with all the zest and enjoyment
of a healthy normal woman. They
chatted, the repast concluded. Some
how, her eyes so full of natural interest
and sympathy, won him to tell his life
story bit by bit. Wayne felt drawn
more closely to this companion as she
in turn told of lonely orphan years.
She was of party who were at the
hotel at the settlement. She had
strayed far to gather floral specimens,
and he pulsated with new and vivid
emotions, as she showed him the books
in which she bad pressed her collec-
tions and her perfumed breath swept
his cheek gentle as the fluttering of
an angel wing. Then the conversation
died down. Her head had dropped to
the support of the bench. He sat i'm
movable, scarcely breathing. She
seemed so beautiful in sleep. Her head
touched his shoulder. A nameless
ecstacy possessed his being. Thus
passed the sweet night away, and by
stages his own senses stole into slum-
ber and he awoke to find the rising
sun of new glorious day coming up
over the hill tops.
There was enough and to spare for
an early morning rejection. Hilda
Broughton was bright and sparkling
under the influence of gratitude for the
care and companionship Of the true
gentleman who had rescued her from
the fears and discomfort of a night of
loneliness.
Ibid you know" she asked as they
started on to locate the town, "that
these natives about here declare that
all this country around here Is the
original location of the Garden of
Edenp
He had heard of it, and his heart
beat fast at the trustful contrast of
the small gloved hand on his arm. Not
now the time, but later on, he resolved
on that, he should tell her that he
hoped he had found his Eve.