Part 26 (1/2)
”We have merely begun. We planned this little surprise for your special benefit. We wished that you should be the first one to be honoured. But we have something more to show you, which, no doubt, will surprise you. If you will come with me I will show you what it is.”
Leading the way, he conducted them through the kitchen and into an adjoining room used partly as a wood-house and also as a wash room.
Each place was brilliantly lighted by means of several electric lamps.
He stopped at last before a cream-separator which was new and recently installed. Touching a switch, there was a sudden whirring sound, and the machine began to revolve, slowly at first, but gaining rapidly in speed until it was fairly spinning. After it had been running for a few minutes Jasper turned off the current, and then stood watching the separator until its movements ceased.
He next moved across the room to where stood a churn. Again placing his finger upon another switch the churn began to revolve.
During all this time David's eyes were ablaze with joy as he watched all that was taking place.
”It is wonderful!” he remarked. ”How have you managed to arrange everything in such a short time? It seems almost magical.”
”Oh, we had everything all ready,” Jasper laughingly replied. ”And just as soon as we got you away we merely had to put the machinery into place. But here is something else,” and he turned to the left. ”This is a wood-cutting machine, and all you have to do is to turn on the current, so,” and he touched a switch, ”and behold, your saw is all ready for use. Watch this,” he added, picking up a stick, which in an instant was severed in two. ”That is the way the farmers will cut their wood. You have thus seen some of the things your falls will do.
But there are others we cannot show here, which will revolutionise the entire country.”
Scarcely had he ended when Lois entered and stood watching the revolving saw. Jasper was the first to see her, and he noticed that her face was paler than usual and that she seemed to be trembling.
”I am sorry that I am late,” she apologised. ”I was planning to be here to see these wonderful things, but I was delayed.”
”But you can see them all now, Miss Sinclair,” David eagerly replied.
”Look at the lights along the road and in the house, and the way these machines run. Isn't it wonderful? My visions have come true at last, and my beautiful falls have done it.”
Jasper was anxious to know what was troubling Lois. Although she talked and laughed and seemed to be the gayest one there, it was quite evident to him that she was merely acting the part. When she had stayed for about half an hour she spoke to Jasper privately and asked him to accompany her home.
”I wish to speak to you about something,” she told him.
Jasper was delighted, and after they had said good-night to the rest they walked slowly down the lighted lane toward the main road.
”This is like fairyland,” Lois remarked. ”I never expected to see anything like this.”
”It was done for David's sake,” Jasper replied. ”And wasn't he surprised and delighted? I think I was as much excited as he was.”
”Have you any idea why the company should do all this for his sake?”
Lois enquired. ”Who is he, anyway?”
”I have not the slightest idea,” was the reply. ”Everything has been a profound mystery to me from the beginning. There is something most interesting back of it all, mark my word. Mr. Westcote evidently knows, but he has never enlightened me. Perhaps his daughter knows something.”
”If she does she has never told me. Sometimes I think she knows, but is not at liberty to speak. Oh, what's that?” and Lois gave a sudden start. ”I thought I heard something among the trees. But I guess it was nothing, only my nerves,” and she gave a slight laugh.
”Perhaps it was merely some animal,” Jasper suggested. ”It may have been a dog or a rabbit. Any slight noise sounds large at night.”
”Let us hurry on,” Lois urged. ”I am afraid that I am somewhat upset to-night. I had such a start on my way to the Haven that I have not got over it yet.”
”I saw that there was something wrong with you when you came into the house,” Jasper replied.
”Did you? I was hoping that no one noticed it.”
”What was the matter?”
”It was a man.”