Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-05-07
CHAPTER TX.
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 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, Draced against the jolting,
snatched begrudged mouthfuls of air
strong of the sea. He had NJ 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
a 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 a laugh.
Now we're shut of the world en-
tirely."
Whitaker bent forward, inquirlng
Where are WEI"
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 a miniature garage.
The forest hemmed the clearing on
cid hn low
A hundred yards distant the lighted
windows of a one-story structure shone
pleasantly through a scattering planta-
ton of pine.
Linking arms the better to guide his
guest, Ember drew him toward the
lights.
bungalow" he explained, senten-
tious, fiouriship9 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 a mar
ried establishment over there some
where, but we don't bother one another.
Fellow by the name of Fiske. l 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,"
welcome. then, to Half-a-Loaf
lodgei"
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 a 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 1t wasn't his name, but
claiming for 1t 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 noddinl
and blinking with drowsiness. EN-
Der took laughing compassion upOr
him and led him forthwith to a bed
room furnished with the rigid simple
ity of summer camp. Then he slep
{ round the clock. The shrill, impera
tive rattle of a telephone bell reused
him. AS he dressed he could hear tn,
voice of Ember In the living room talk
Ing over the telephone. Presently ther'
: came tap at his door, and his hos
entered.
. Sup, eh?" he said cheerfully. II wa
afraid I'd have to wake you" Hi
! smile vanished beneath the clouds o
) an impatient frown. "This is the devi
of note: I've got to leave you"
"What's the trouble?"
''That's what I'm called upon to fin,
S out. A friend of mines in a tigh
t 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 bein
left alone for day or so?''
! Certainly not-only I'm sorry"
mo more than I. But I'll try to &c
; back tomorrow. If 1 don't, the mex
i day-or as soon as I possibly car
Meanwhile, please consider yoursel
lord and master here. Sum Fat vii
z, take good care of you. Anything 20
T want, just ask him. Now I've got t
/ get into waterproofs-it's raining Xix
} all get-out, but 1 can't wait for lei
l. up"
BY the time Whitaker was ready 70
breakfast his host had splashed off t
n his motor car.
The wind. freshening and drivin
very respectable If miniature roller