Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-03-21
CHAPTER XII
The Man From the Train.

ne man FROM the rain.
In the supposltion that he was 20
have less liberty. Eaton proved cor
rect. Harriet Santoine. 20 whose i'm
pulses had been due his first privi-
leges. showed toward him a more con-
strained attitude the following morn.
inc. She did not suggest hostility, as
Avery constantly did: nor. indeed.
was there any evidence OF retrogres-
sion Ga her attitude toward him: she
seemed merely 70 BE- maintaining the
same position; and since this seemed
difficult II they were often together,
she avoided him. Eaton understood
that Santoine. steadily improving hut
not yet able 10 leave his bed, had
taken up his work again. propped up
by pillows; one Of the nurses had
been dismissed; the other was only
upon day duty. But Eaton did not
see Santoine az all; and though he
learned that Miss Davis or another
stenographer. whose name was West,
came daily 10 the house. he never was
in a position again 20 encounter any
outsider either coming or going.
There was no longer room for Ea-
ton % doubt that Harriet had the con
hdence OF her father 10 almost a com
piete extent. Now that Santoine was
COO. she worked with him daily for
hours: and Eaton learned that she
dil the same when he was well But
Avery worked with the blind man too
he. too. was certainly In "A confidential
capacity. Was II not probable then
thar Avery. and not Harriet. was en-
trusted with the secrets OF dangerous
and ugly matters: or was Il possible
that this girl, worE hiping h.r father
as she did. could know and be sure
that. because her father approved
these matters. they were right?
a hundred times a day. as Eaton
saw or spoke with the girl or thought
OF her presence near by, this ohsessed
him. A score 81 times during their
casual talk upon meeting az meals or
elsewhere. he found himself turned
toward some question which would
lid him in determining what must be
the fact: but each time be checked
himself until one morning-it was
the nth after his arrival at San
tones h0use-Harrlet was taking
him for his walk in the garden before
fhe house. She had Just told him,
at his inquiry. that her father was
very much stronger that morning. and
her manner more than ever evidenced
her pride In him.
They walked on slowly. Il wish
you could tell me more about your
self. AIr. Eaton"
"a wish So too" he said.
"Then why can you not7" She
turned 70 him frankly; he gazed at
her a moment and then looked away
and shook his head Did she know
an ~ what was known even under
her fathers roof: and II she knew all,
would she then loathe or defend III
A motor sped near. haired and then
/ sneeded on again: Eaton. looking Up,
saw Il was a sunabout with Avery
/ alone In e.: evidently. seeing thcm In
/ the road. Avery had halted 10 FRO
test. then thought better OF II ard
gone on. But other motors passed
now with people who spoke 20 Har-
riet and who stopped 20 inquire FOR
her father and wish him well.
"Your father does not seem 70 be
Z one % the great men without honor
Z .u his own ue.ghborhoOd." Eaton said
Z 10 her after one Of these had halted
and gone on.
Everyone who knows Father likes
and admires him." she rejoiced
Il don't mean exactly that" Eaton
Z went on. They must trust him too,
I in an extraordinary Tay. His asso-
l gIates must place most complete con
/ nience IN him when they leave TO him
I the adjustment OF matters such as
I understand they do. lie tells them
wha; IS just. and they abide by his
/ decision"
I Harriet shook her head. mo; II
T .sn't quite that she said.
"What. thenT
"Tou are correct IN saying that men
~ the most opposite s0rts-and most
T irrec0nciIahle 10 each ether - con
SANITY place their fate In Fathers
4 hand. and when he tells them what
. they must 90. they abide by HIS de-
( es.on. But he doesn't decide fol
4 them what Is just
4 don't understand. What does he
;ell them. thenT
he tells them what would be the
outcome II they fought. who would
ssin and who would lose and by how
much. And hey believe him and