The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1923-04-20
CHAPTER xI
The Ally in the House.

v mo I'J'A'''t - $1,000 '
by the open window 10 see the house
by daylight. AS it grew lighter, he
could see it was an immense struc-
ture OF smooth gray stone. Eaton was
in it's central part, his windows look
ing to the south. As he watched, n
Of the two nurses who had been on the
train came TO a window Of the farthest
room on the second floor Of the south
wing and stood looking out that,
then, must be Santoine's room and
Eaton drew back from his window as
he noted this.
The sun had risen, and its beams,
reflected up from the lake, danced on
his ceiling. Eaton. chilled by the
sharp air off the Water-and knowing
now the locality where he must be-
pulled off his coat and trousers and
jumped back into bed. He realized
that circumstances had given him
time for anything he might wish TO
do; for the nights stop ut Minneapolis
and Santoine's unexpected taking hin
into his own charge must have made
Eaton's disappearance complete; for
he present he was lost 10 them"
who had been following" him, and to
his friends alike. His task, then, was
to let his friends know where he was
without letting them" learn 1t; and
thinking Of how this was to be done,
he fell asleep again.
At nine he awOke with a start
then, recollecting everything, he
jumped up and shut his windows.
There was a respectful, apologize
knock at the door evidently a servant
had been waiting in the hall for some
sound within the room.
MAY l come in, STRIP
"COme in"
The man who had attended him the
evening before entered.
"Your bath, sir; hot OF cold in the
morning, siri"
Hot" Eaton answered.
"Of course, sir I'd forgotten you'd
just come from the Orient. sir. ] shall
tell them to bring breakfast up, sir;
or will you go down." the man asked.
Eaton considered. The manners of
| servants are modelled OF the feelings
| Of their masters, and the mans defer
ence told plainly that, although Eaton
might be a prisoner, he was not to
be treated openly as such.
81 think / can 20 down." Eaton re-
piled. He found the hall and the
rooms below bright and open but un-
occupied; a servant showed him to
a blue Delft breakfast room to the
east. He had half finished his bacon
and green's before anyone else ap-
peared.
This was q tall, carefully dressed
man Of nore than fifty, with hand
some. well-bred features-plainly a
man OF position and wealth but with
/ out experience in affairs, and with
out power. He was dark haired and
wore d mustache which, like his hair,
was beginning to gray. AS he APP
peared i'm the hall without hat or over
coat. Eaton understood that he lived
in the house; he came directly into
the breakfast room and evidently had
not breakfasted.
a" am Wallace Blatchford% the
stranger volunteered as Eaton looked
up. He gave the name in a manner
which seemed to assume that he now
must be recalled; Eaton therefore
feigned recognition as he gave him
his name I'm return.
"Basil Santoine is better this morn
ing" Blatchford announced.
az ,.lorctnAl la v-oc vary, ncn,fopt-
able last evening" Eaton said. Il
have not seer either Miss Santoine
or Mr.. Avery, this morning"
." saw Basil Santoine the last thing
last night" the other boosted. HE
was very tired; but when he was
home, Of course he wished me to be
beside him for a time
"Of course,"i Eaton replied, as the
other halted. There was a humility
i'm the boast of this mans friendship
for Santoine which stirred sympathy,
almost pity.
Eaton finished his breakfast but re-
manned at the table while Blatchford,
ohio scarcely touched his food, con
tinued to boast, in his queer humility,
of the blind man and Of the blind
mans friendship for him. He checked
himself only when Harriet Santoine
appeared in the doorway. He and
Eaton at once were on their feet.
MY dear! He wants TO see me
now?' the tall man almost pleaded
HE wants me TO be with him this
morning?"
"Of course. Cousin Wallace" the
girl said gently. almost with com
passion.
"Y0u Will excuse me then, sir.
Biatchford said hastily TO Eaton. ant
hurried Oft. The girl gazed after
him, and when she turned the mex
instant 10 Eaton her eyes were wet.
Good morning, Miss Santoine. 70,
are coming to breakfast?"
"Oh, no; I've had my breakfast:
was going II 70 see that things out
] side the house have been going 81
well since we have been away"
I MAY | 20 with YOU while you d.
T that?" Eaton tried to ask casually
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