The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-08-07
THE BLESSED FOG
BY ELENE LOEB.


room, scrutInlzing 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 audlbly bore witness TO the fact
that she had waited exactly half an
hour. and stlll there was no sign of
Robert. Halllng taxi. Elsa ordered
the driver to take her to her brother'sl
address.
The fog was hanging like a pail over
the entire city. Vague, shadowy formsl
moved on the sidewalks to dlssolveS
upon near approach. into men and
women. The gongs Of the trolley cars
changed incessantly. The taxi vas
creeping along at snail's pace. At
last he halted before house, made
sure of the number and held the taxi
door open.
Here you are lady-number 45g. ~
Elsa mounted the steps and pressed
the bell. A middle-aged woman, evil
IDENTIFY the housekeeper, answered the
summons
"Is Mr.. Wilson inf" Elsa inquired.
"Mr Wilson," the woman echoed!
and then after n Slight pause, hardlyI
perceptible to the waiting girl, mo,
ma'am, he Is out Of town."
"Out of town? When did he got
Didn't he get my telegram I'm his
sister"
Il don't know anything about a 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 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
theysare my brothers favorites. Then
Wen plan tonights dinner And, oh.
Mrs Clark. l have an idea AS long
as my brother doesn't know Tn here.
let us make a surprise out Of 1t. Yes?
Don't say word about me when he
comes In. but the minute he sits down
TO the table extingush 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 o key turned IN
the lock. Firm steps paused for a
moment, 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-
clamation there was the light swish
ing of feminine wear just as a little
soft hand was pressed firmly over his
eyes and 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 hairl
II thought you were my brother,
Elsa stammered, as soon as she found
her voice. The man had risen to his
feet.
II am Wilson Fairbanks. am afraid
there is some mistake. Won't you sit
down, please, and wen surelylstralght-
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
tion, but evidently the telegram was
and nobody was there. 1 |
called q taxi and the man brought me t
here. This is 459 Waterloo street,
Isn't it?"
The mans face cleared. waterloo
street7 That accounts for It. This is
street. Waterloo is the next
street below. If you win allow me, I'll
AXE you there after dinner"
"Oh, no. thank you. / couldn't think
# staying another minute. / really
ion't know how to apologize. 1t was a
itupld blunder on account OF the fog, I
and"
The man stopped her protestations.
The only apology I'll accept is that
We 90 over for your brother, and you
10Th have dinner with me tonight"
In a few moments they reached the
house. Upon investigation
{ developed that the servant had for
often to deliver the message and 1t
vas even then lying on the mantle IN
Ter the clock.
Robert Wilson thoroughly enjoyed
is favorite dishes, but Elsa ate spar
ngly and with downcasi eyes.
The evening passed all too soon, for
ne at least. "Come to see u.s." Mr.
wilson invited as they were making
heir adieus.
Mr.. Fairbanks looked at Elsa. "Bfey
~ his eyes asked. and before the girl
Duld withdraw her glance her eyes
ad flashed back the answer.
1917 by the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndlcate.)
------------------- HEktK