The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-24

will do our best to make you comfort
able" he added a little doubtfully
but there are only my brother and
myself, and we have no women serv-
ants in the house."
"A roof of any sort will be a luxury"
she assured him. 81 only hope that we
shall not be a trouble to you in any
way"
And your name, please?" he asked.
She was little amazed at his direct
ness, but she answered him without
hesitation.
MY name" she told him, SIS Lou
ise."
He leaned down toward her, a little
puzzled.
Louise. But your surname"
She laughed softly. 1t occurred TO
him that nothing like her laugh had
ever been heard on that gray-walled
stretch of mountain road.
Never mind l am travelling incog-
nitO. Who l am, or where l am going
well, what does that matter to any
body? Perhaps l do not know myself.
You can imagine, if you like, that we
came from the heart Of your hills, and
that tomorrow they will open again and
welcome us back"
81 don't think there are any motor
cars in fairyland," he objected.
'We represent a new edition of fairy
lore" she told him. Modern romance
you know, includes motor-cars and
even French maids"
"All the same," he protested, with
masculine bluntness, 81 really don't
see how 1 can introduce you to my
brother as Louise from fairyland.'
She evaded the point.
Tell me about your brother. Is he
as tall as you, and is he younger or
older"
He is nearly twenty years older"
her companion replied. "He is about
my height, but he stoops more than
do, and his hair is gray. l am afraid
that you may find him a little pecu-
liar"
Her escort paused and swung open
white gate on their left-hand side. Be
fore them was an ascent which seemed
to her, in the dim light, to be abso-
lutely precipitOus.
"It isn't so bad as it looks" he as
sured her, "and l am afraid it's the
only way up. The house is at the bend
there, barely fifty yards away. You
can see a light through the trees"
"You must help me, then, please"
she begged.
He stopped down toward her. She
linked her fingers together through his
left arm and leaning little heavily
upon him, began the ascent. He was
of some subtle fragrance
from her clothes, a perfume strangely
different from the odor of the ghost
ike flowers that bordered the steep
path up which they were climbing. Her
arms, slight, warm things though they
we're, and great though his own
strength, felt suddenly like yoke. At
every step he seemed to feel their
weight more insistent-a weight not
physical, solely due to this rush Of un-
expected emotions.
She looked around her almost in
wonder as her companion paused with
lis hand upon little iron gate. From
behind that jagged stretch of hills In
he distance the moon had now ap-
)eared. Before her was garden
lustere-looking with its prim flower
,eds, the trees all bent in the same
direction, fashioned after one pattern
" the winds. Beyond was the house
"a long, low building, part Of it Gov
red with some kind of creeper.
AS they stepped across the last few
ards of lawn, the black, oak door
which they were approaching suddenly |
pened. A tall, elderly man stood look
ng inquiringly out. He shaded his
yes with his hands.
rs that you, brother?" he asked
John Strangewey ushered his COM
anion into the square, oak-paneled
all, hung with many trophies of the
hase, a few oil-paintings, here and
here some sporting prints. It was
GIFTED only with single lamp which
TODD upon round, polished table In
he center Of the white-fagged floor.
"This lady's motor-car has broken
own, Stephen" John explained, turn
lg little nervously toward his broth
r. II found them in the road, just
t the bottom of the hill. She and her
ervants will spend the night here. l
ave explained that there is no village
r inn for a good many miles,"
Louise turned graciously toward the
der man, who was standing grimly
part. Even in those few seconds, her
uick senslbilities warned her of the
ostility which lurked behind the tight
closed lips and steel-gray eyes. His
Dw was stiff and uncordial, and he
ade no movement to offer his hand.
"We are not used to welcoming la
les at Peak Hall, madam" he said.
am afraid that you will find us
unprepared for guests"
II ask for nothing more than roof
ouise assured him. \
John threw his hat and whip upon
lie round table and stood In the center