The House of the Whispering Pines

The moon rode high; but ominous clouds were rushing towards it-clouds heavy with snow. I watched these clouds as I drove recklessly desperately over the winter roads. I had just missed the desire of my life the one precious treasure which I coveted with my whole undisciplined heart and not being what you call a man of self-restraint I was chafed by my defeat far beyond the bounds I have usually set for myself. The moon-with the wild skurry of clouds hastening to blot it out of sight-seemed to mirror the chaos threatening my better impulses; and idly keeping it in view I rode on hardly conscious of my course till the rapid recurrence of several well-known landmarks warned me that I had taken the longest route home and that in another moment I should be skirting the grounds of The Whispering Pines our country clubhouse.