Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-03-14
CHAPTER XII


W the Nlieu WILLOW 10 see ThN mouse
by daylight. AS IL grew lighter. he
could see II was an immense struc-
ture OF smooth gray stone Eaton was
In Its central part, his windows look
Ing 10 the south. As he watched. one
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 It's beams.
reflected mp from the lake. danced on
his ceiling. Eaton. chilled by the
sharp air or the water-and knowing
now the locality where he must be-
pulled OF 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 SantOine's unexpected taking him
into his own charge must have made
Eaton's disappearance complete; for
who had been Following" him. and to
his friends alike. His task. then. was
10 let his friends know where he was
without letting "them" learn Il; and
thinking OF how this was to be done.
he fell asleep again.
At nine he awoke with a start
then. Tecollecting everything. he
jumped up and shut his windows
There was respectful, apologize
knock al the door; evidently a servant
had been waiting In the hall for some
sound within the room.
MAY l come In. sirT'
"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.
cot course, sir; I'd forgotten you'd
just come from the Orient. sir. ! shall
tell them TO bring breakfast up, sir
or VIII You go DOWN." the man asked.
Eaton considered. The manners 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 was not TO
be treated openly as such.
II think I can go down." Eaton re
Piled lie found the hall and the
rooms below bright and open but I'M
occupied: a servant showed him TO
blue Delft breakfast room TO the
east. He had half finished his bacon
and greens before anyone else APP
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 mustache which, like his hair,
was beginning 10 gray. As he ap-
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.
"T am Wallace Blatchford." the
stranger volunteered as Eaton looked
up. RE 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.
ST understood he was very comfort
able last evening" Eaton said. II
have not seen either Miss Santoine |
or Mr.. Avery. this morning"
81 saw Basil Santolne 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 n time"
"Of course" Eaton replied, as the
other halted. There was a humility
In the boast OF this mans friendship |
for Santolne which stirred sympathy, |
almost pity.
Eaton finished his breakfast but re-
NAMED at the table while BlatchfOrd,
cho scarcely touched his food, con-
tinued 10 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 |
nowY" the tall man almost pleaded.
He wants me TO be with him this
morningT
"of cougse. Cousin Wallace" the
girl said gently. almost with COM
passion.
you win excuse me then. sir"
Blntchford said hastily TO Eaton and |
hurried OF. The girl gazed after
him. and when she turned the next |
instant 10 Eaton her eyes were wet
Good morning. Miss Santoine. You |
are coming TO breakfastT'
"Oh. no: I've had my breakfast; I
was going out 20 see that things out .
side the house haye been going on I
well since we have been away
ssNFox 90 with won while VOu do Il