Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-08-07
THE BLESSED Fool
BY ELENE LOEB.


1t was Elsa's first visit to her BROTH
er since the death of his wife and his
subsequent removal to a distant city,
Slowly she walked up and down the
length of the railway station waiting
room, scrutinizing the face of each
newcomer. Surely he had received
the telegram advising him of her in
tended arrival, but for the twentieth
time she glanced at the clock, which
now audibly bore witness to the fact
that she had waited exactly half an
hour, and still there was no sign of
Robert. Hailing taxi, Elsa ordered
the driver to take her to her brothers
address.
The fog was hanging like pail oven
the entire city. Vague, shadowy forms
moved on the sidewalks to dissolveS
upon near approach, into men and
women. The gongs of the trolley cars
changed necessarily. The taxi was
creeping along at snaiPs pace. At
last he halted before a house, made
sure of the number and held the taxi
door open.
Here you are, lady-number 459. ~
Elsa mounted the steps and pressed
the bell. A middle-aged woman, evil
IDENTIFY the housekeeper, answered the
summons.
rs Mr.. Wilson in?" Elsa inquired.
"Mr. Wilson, the woman echoed
and then after slight pause, hardly
perceptible to the waiting girl, "No,i
ma'am, he is out of town."
"Out of town? When did he go?
Didn't he get my telegram I'm his
sister,"
II don't know anything about tele.'
gram, maam. He went last night and
won't be home before tomorrow eve
ming. l think he said he would be
home in time for dinner. But come
right in, ma'am. The master often
speaks of his sister,"
Elsa was made comfortable for the
night.
After breakfast she inspected the
house with the housekeeper.
"Now, Mrs. Clark, want flowers
lots of them. Red carnations, please;
they are my brothers favorites. Then
We'll plan tonight's dinner. And, oh,
Mrs. Clark, have an idea! AS long
as my brother doesn't know I'm here,
let us make surprise out of 1t. Yes?
Don't say a word about me when he
comes in, but the minute he sits down
to the table extinguish the lights and
relight them the minute you hear my
voice."
Dressing herself carefully, she came
downstairs just in time to hide be-
hind the draperies as key turned In
the lock. Firm steps paused for a
moment, then were heard going ap-
stairs. When they came down again,
Mrs. Clark hurried forward to greet
her master.
AS the man sat down, the dining
room was suddenly plunged into dark
ness, but before he could utter an ex-
clamation there was the light swish
ing of feminine wear just as a Hstle
soft hand was pressed firmly over mis-
eyes and a pair of exquisite lips net
his in hearty kiss. Then disguised
voice called out: "Now, sir, guess who
1 amr'
At that moment the lights were
switched on and fell full on the de-
cidedly blonde head of the man. In
stantly the girls hand dropped to her
side and she started hack in astonish-
ment. This man wasn't her brother
her brother had black hair!
81 thought you were my brother"
Elsa stammered, as soon as she found
her voice. The man had risen to his
feet.
81 am Wilson Fairbanks. I am afraid |
there is some mistake. Won't you sit |
down, please, and Wen surely straight |
en- 1t out"
The girls face blanched. 81 am |
Elsa Wilson. 1 came here last night |
from Detroit. / expected my BROTHER,
Robert Wilson, to meet me at tEe sta- |
ton, but evidently the telegram was |
miscarried and nobody was there. ]
called a taxi and the man brought me |
mere. InlS 10 1sfO NdlclAOO blIESls
isn't III?
The mans face cleared. waterloo |
street? That accounts for 1t. This is
Cambridge street. Waterloo Is the next |
street below. If you will allow nae, I'll
take you there after dinner"
"Oh, no, thank you. couldn't think
Of staying another minute. / really /
don't know how to apologize. 1t was a
stupid blunder on account Of the fog, / /
suppose, and"
The man stopped her protestations
''The only apology III accept is that
we go over for your brother. ana you
both have dinner with me tonight"
In a few moments they reached the
brothers house. Upon investigation
t developed that the servant had for
gotten. to deliver tina MESSAGE and It |