Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-03-08

XII
The Ally in the House.

' liz hlHl htUe VI iVuHtA Eaton.
and drawing on trousers and coat
over his pajamas. he seated himself
by the open window 10 see the house
by daylight. AS II grew lighter, he
could see 1t was IN immense struc-
ture Of smooth gray stone Eaton was
In It's central part, his windows look
ing to the south. As he watched, one
Of the two nurses who had been on the
train came 10 a window Of the farthest
room on the second floor of the south
wing and stood boxing 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 OF the water-and knowing
now the locality where he must be-
pulled on 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 at Minneapolis
and SLntoine's unexpected taking him
into his own charge must have made
Eaton's disappearance complete; for
the present he was lost to them
who had been following" him. and 10
his friends alike. His task. then. was
to let his friends know where he was
without letting "tiem" 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 n 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, slrT'
Come In"
The man who had attended him the
evening before entered.
"Your bath, sir. hot or cold in the
morning, sir?"
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 me of
servants are modelled on the feelings
of their masters, and the mans defer
ence told plainly that, although Eaton
might be a prisoner, he vas not TO
be treated openly as such.
II think / can go down." Eaton re-
piled. He found the hall and the
rooms below bright and open but un-
u.-G~4 .o~.,.t -l.nrsn1 hfp, 81.
a blue Delft breakfast room TO the
east. He had half finished his bacon
and greens before anyone else ap-
peared.
This was a tall, carefully dressed
man Of more 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 a mustache which, like his hair,
was beginning to gray. As he APP
peared In 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.
HU huliutt DldANllANlns lMf
stranger volunteered as Eaton locked
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 In return.
Basil Santolne is better this morn
ing" B%latchford announced.
sV ..~1,~rt1Aa ln Moe x.a~r a.r,F,w4
able last evening" Eaton said. Il
have not seen either Miss Santoine
or Mr.. Avery, this morning"
~ saw Basil Santoine the last thing
last night" the other boosted. lie
was very tired; but when he was
home, of course he wished me to be
beside him for a time"
"Of course" Eaton replied, as the
other halted. There was a humility
In the boast of this mans friendship
for Santoine which stirred sympathy.
almost pity.
Eaton finished his breakfast but re-
NAMED at the table while Blatchford,
who scarcely touched his food, con
tlnued to boast. In his queer humility,
VI llC Uiiid th0 ~ VI AAt INN |
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 dearl 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.
"You viii excuse me then, sir"
Blatchford said hastily to Eaton and
hurried Off. The girl gazed after
him, and when she turned the next
instant to Eaton her eyes were wet.
Good morning. Miss Santoine. You
are coming to breakfast7'
"oh. no; I've had my breakfast; 4
was going out to see that things out |
side the house have been going on
well since we have been away"
aRgaw I % with Won while Won 40 !