The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1917-01-05
CHAPTER TX.
The Window.

The WINDOW.
Though they left New York not long
after three in the afternoon, twilight
was fast ebbing into night when Ember
gave the motor it's head. Its head
lights Glove a 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
q palpitant pause. Ember jumped out
to open barred gate, then, returning,
swung the car into a clear but narrow
woodland road. mine own domain"
he informed Whitaker with 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 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 scattering planta-
ton 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-
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 mar
ried establishment over there some
where, but we don't bother one another.
Fellow by the name of Fiske. 1 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,
'WeIcome, 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
q wood fire blazed heartily. At a COM
Portable distance from the hearth
stood table bright with linen, silver
and crystal-covers for two. The rear
wall was broken by three doors, in
one of which a rotund Chinaman
beamed oleaginously. 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 a bed
room furnished with the rigid simple
ity of summer camp. Then he slept
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 a tap at his door, and his host
entered.
''Up, eh?" he said cheerfully. Il was
afraid I'd have to wake you" His
smile vanished beneath the clouds of
an impatient frown. This is the devil
of a note: I've got to leave you"
whats the trOuble?"
'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 1 can't refuse. D'you mind being
left alone for day or SOP"
Certainly not-only I'm sorry"
mo more than l. But I'll try to get
back tomorrow. If I don't, the next
day-or as soon as l 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 1 can't wait for a let
up."
BY the 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
Il by magic, Sum Fat was religiously
cleaning his teeth-fOr the third time
that morning, to Whitaker's certain
knowledge.
HNhen he had finished. Whitaker put
4estion:
Nm Fat, which way does The wind
EIn you know