The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-08-16
THE BLESSED FOG
BY ELENE LOEB.

now audibly bore witness to the fac
that she had waited exactly half al
hour, and still there was no sign o
Robert. Haillng a taxi, Elsa ordere,
the driver to take her to her brother
address.
The fog was hanging like a pail owe
the entire city. Vague, shadowy form
moved on the sidewalks to dissolve
upon near approach, into men ant
women. The gongs of the trolley car
changed necessarily. The taxi wal
creeping along at snail's pace. A
last he halted before a house, mad,
sure of the number and held the tax
door open.
Here you are, lady-number 49,
Elsa mounted the steps and pressed
the bell. A middle-aged woman, evi
IDENTITY the musekeeper, answered the
summons.
rs Mr.. Wilson in?" Elsa inquired.
"Mr. Wilson," the woman echoed
and then after a slight pause hardly
perceptible to the waiting girl, mo
ma'am, he is out of town."
"Out of town? When did he GO
Didn't he get my telegram? I'm his
sister"
Il don't know anything about n tele'
gram, ma'am. He went last night and
won't be home before tomorrow eve.
ming. | think he said he would be
home In time for dinner. But come
right in, ma'am. The master oster
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
wen 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 a surprise out of it. Yesi
Don't say 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 @
then were heard going up
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.
there was the light swish
ing Of feminine wear Just as a little
soft hand was pressed firmly over his
eyes and q pair Of exquisite lips met
his in a hearty kiss. Then disguised
voice called out: "Now, sir, guess who
| am"
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 back in astonlsh.
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. l am afraid
there Is some mistake. Won't you sit
down, please, and Wen surely straight
en- it out"
The girls face blanched. II am
Elsa Wilson. came here last night
from Detroit. | expected my brother,
Robert Wilson, to meet me at the sta
ton, but evidently the telegram was
and nobody was there. /
called taxi and the man brought me
here. This Is 459 Waterloo street,
isn't it?"
The mans face cleared. "Waterloo
street? That accounts for 1t. This is
street. Waterloo is the next
street below. If you will allow me, I'll
take you there after dinner"
"Oh, no, thank you. l 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 protestatlons.
"rhe only apology I'll accept is that
we 90 over for your brother, and you
both have dinner with me tonight"
In few moments they reached the
brothers. house. Upon investigation
1t developed that the servant had for
gotten to deliver the message and 1t
was even then lying on the mantle I'M
der the clock.
Robert Wilson thoroughly enjoyed
his favorte dishes, but Elsa ate spar
ingly and with downcast eyes.
The evening passed all too soon, for
one at least. "Come to see u.s." Mr.
Wilson lnyii / as they were making
their adicus.
Mr.. Fairbanks looked at Elsa. MAY
~ his eyes asked, and before the girl
could withdraw her glance her eyes
had flashed back the answer.
Copyright. 1917. by the Mcclure New spa
per Syndicate)
Iono Endeavor.