The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-07-16
REVELATIONS OF A WIFE
ADELE GARRISON
ADELE GARRISON


through the woods that lead to the little
inn at which / had planned to get lunch
con.
"Dicky's comment must be true I
must have q .one-track mind" I said
to myself bitterly, as thought Of the
number Of miles I was from home, and
the prospect that the interurban trolley
car regulations would forbid my getting
aboard because OF Pete. To be sure. !
supposed that it would be possible to
secure q taxi somewhere. but knew
that conditions were such in that neigh
borhood that it would mean an exorbi-
tant price. and perhaps hours Of delay
II ordered one.
|. Why had I forgotten all this and ac-
cepted the offer OF lift rom the young
army officer who had recued me rom the
trolley conductors annoyance? Why had
not instead turned toward home, even
at the risk Of again eneountering my
neighbor on horseback
But all questioning was futile now. As
considered this fact, and also realized
that l had on Witted the mysterious
horseman my spirits rose.
On HIGH Guard.
Nothing shall spoil my holiday. Pete
said confidently to the bull terrier frol-
licking by my side, ana his answering
bark showed that Pete fully approved my
decision.
I began. to have pleasant anticipatory
thoughts of the luncheon 1 meant to or
der as soon as 1 reached the inn. De-
lightful gustatory memories Of meals I
had eaten at the place came back to me,
~ fhof frap M he
ride in the motor car had put a keen
edge on my appetite.
1t had been months since I'd seen the
place. but I could visualize every angle
of it long before ] left the winding road
and passed through the rustic gate that
leads to the high knoll, probably the
highest spot in this portion Of hte level
Long Island stretches upon which the
quaint inn was situated
It had been one Of the big, old farm
houses which abound in Long Island,
and the clever Viennese couple who had
bought 1t and opened the inn had trans
formed 1t into one OF the most attrac-
tive places to be found for those who
wished to dine well and quietly.
An Interruption.
All, there it wasl / caught my breath
with sheer artistic pleasure as I first
saw 1t through an opening In the giant
pines which Jealousy guarded it, com
pletely hiding the inn and its out build
tngs from the casual view. AMY those
who had been privileged to be its guests
and the friends they had told of its
charm knew of Of the existence Of the
inn. It never advertised and capitalized
its quiet exclusiveness.
Old Windmill.
I walked slowly toward the house, en-
joying to the utmost the vision it pre-
scented. Every appurtenance was in
keeping with the main building. "A few
yards from the house an old windmill
lowered, outlined against the pines. 1t
was like an old friend to me. 1t over
looked a little winding stream, and in
previous summers there had been rustic
bench at its foot, upon which Dicky and
I had often rested while waiting for our
dinner to be cooked.
/ was sorry to see that the viennese
proprfetors evidently had decided that
the windmill needed other decoration than
its own rugged line. The lower part of
1t had been screened, and vines trained
thickdy against it. vines that must have
greenhouse to give such luxuriant LEAKAGE
so early in the summer. And against the
vines, flower boxes with scarlet blossoms
made of the old landmark an exotic, un-
familiar thing.
The Gate open.
The rustic seat had disappeared. In
deed, decorative but strong iron fence
separated the part OF the grounds in
which the windmill stood from those sur
rounding the house. An ornamental gate
separated the fence into two parts, but
instead of standing invitingly open It
was tightly closed
wondered vaguely at this arrange
ment, for one Of the chief charms of
the place had been this grassy slope
bordering the little woodland stream. Now
1t looked like an artificial little park with
It's formal flower beds and its gorgeous
peacock spreading his Offering plumage
In the sunlight.
Curiosity Excited,
My curiosity was aroused, and with 1t
again. With Pete ambling in dignified
fashion beside me, walked toward the
gate and tried to open it. 1t was locked.
AS 1 shook it slightly, to make sure, l
head slight noise behind me.
turned sharply. and saw in two Of
the windows Of the inn scewling faces
furtively watching me, screened as they |
thought by the futtering curtains. At
the same moment a waiter came out Of
the door of the inn and advanced quick |
ly toward me.