Daily globe., 1880-06-27
IN PERIL.

ing middle aged womon standing in the
door of small house IN the side street of
village.
Whats the matter, Mary?" querieo
her husband, a kindly faced man, as he
stepped into the porch beside her.
''Matter enough! Why, here it is six
o'clock and the table amt even set yet
for supper. I can't find Lois nowhere.
What's more, Reuben" hse added, with
an anxious look, "I mistrust she's after
no good"
Why, how do you mean, Mary2''
I'm afraid she's off with thatiDray-
ton"
'What, that city chap?"
eyes. He's been mopin' around here
8 sight more'n I like lately. I saw her
putin on her best white trock two hours
ago, and l thought then more'n likely
she expected to see him." And Mrs.
Arnold shook her head solemnly.
At this moment young man turned
the corner of the street and came toward
the couple. He was tall and well made,
and evidently carpenter by occupation,
as the kit of tools he carried testified.
"Here comes Paul Haynes, now,' said
Mrs. Arnold. "Perhaps he's seen her."
And with a friendly nod she called out,
"Seen Lois anywhere round, Paulg"
mo, I haven't replied the young man,
pausing; then added, anxiously, "You
amt worried about her, are you?"
ooh, no; likes not she is IN to one of
the neighbors," said Mrs. Arnold, with
feigned Indifference; and as Haynes pass
ed on, she said to her husband; 81 wasn't
going to have him mistrust anything.
Lois had sight better marry him; he
wants her bad enough, and he's such a
good fellow"
Lois Arneld was the niece Of the good
couple, who were thus ANXIOUS ABOUT
her-a pretty, wayward, little thing, who
had already given as much anxiety to
her sober protectors as does the wanton
duckling to the respectable hen, who rears
it.
At this moment the culprlt was walk
ing down a green lane not far from her
home, making her way toward it, indeed,
but very slowly.
She was not alone. She was leaning
on the arm of man about thirty, evil
IDENTIFY denizon of the city. He was
rather good looking, with intense dark
eyes, and yet there lurked an expression
on his face that might have inspired dis
trust in one more experienced than our
country girl.
'And you say We must part here, Lois?"
he said, pausing under the shade of a
large tree, and drawing her into the shell
ter of some bushes.
''Yes, Frank she replied. ~ dare not
have you go any further; and l shall be
late at home as it is. Aunt Mary will be
sure to scold."
"Lois," said the young man suddenly.
taking both her hands in his, ''would
you like to escape those seedlings for
exer?"
'What do you mean, Mr.. Drayton?"
asked Lois, looking up at him with star
tied eyes.
81 mean will you go back to the city
with me? Will you give yourself to me
entirely, my own pretty pet?"
And he caught her suddenly in his
arms, mprinting an audacious kiss on
her trembling lips, and fairly overwhelm-
ing her with the force of his emotion.
After a moment Lois drew little back
from that almost fierce embrace, and
looking frightened and bewiidered, fal-
tered:
''This is so suddenr'
eI know it Is sudden, my darling" be
said, drawing her toward him again, "but
I am forced to speak to-day. l received
letter last night that will oblige me to
return to the city in three days."
$50 soon2"
eyes, aad oh, sweet one, must I go
alone2"
Lois hesitated, and even while she list
ened to this lovers pleadings, the earnest
eyes OF Paul Haynes seemed to be look
ing into hers with pitiiul pleading and
warning. But Drayton went on to paint
pictures of life IN the city with all its
; delights, and to utter passionate protest
atoms of devotion. And bew1ldered by
the suddenness of the attack, dazzled and
intoxicated, before they parted Lois had
consented to elope with her ardent new
over.
Of course, no thought of evil crossed
her mind. Somewhat more gently nur-
tured than the people around her, the
picture of city home possessed great
attractions for her; and this man of the
world, with his graceful manners and his
easy batteries, had threwl about her q
sort of fascination that for the time
seemed to render her obedient to his
own will.
Lois walked home as in dream, and
was so absorbed in thought that she never
needed Aunt Mary's seedlings, and went
about her evening duties mechanically,
Only as she was washing the dishes after
supper, she kept thinking how pleasant
1t would be to be rid Of such drudgery in
the future.
Yet her slumbers that night were being
troubled; Drayton had, of course, pro.
posed an elopement, though she could
not see why, If he wanted to marry her,
why he did not come and ask her uncle
for her and have the wedding take place
in the village so that she might enjoy
the innocent pleasure of showing hel
city conquest to her friends? And some
how, she could not get Paul out of hel
head. She had always thought she
should marry him; she knew he had
loved her so long and so we'll, she hao
teased him with her firtations, of course