The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-05-25


Of her kind gray eyes.
4 The errands at postoiiice an,
store were soon completed, an,
Elnor, turning homeward, notice,
tAat the sky was rapidly bccomin
overcast with dark clouds, whicl
threatened a heavy shower.
! She had brought no umbrella
and the fear of being caught in tn
rain lent speed to her steps. Nearl,
half the distance was passed, anl
Elnor was just beginning to con
gratulate herself on being alnlos
safe, when patter, patterl She hearc
the big drops falling on the leave
above her.
Faster went the flying feet, anc
faster came the falling drops. Gu
Of breath, Elnor stopped beneath ;
9ide-spreading oak, and tremblin,
wi,h exhaustation, stood beneatl
us protecting shelter.
The rain was now pouring in tor
rents, and in few minutes a little
stream came oozing through the
leaves, splashing OH her dress anC
trickling down her back, sending
cold shivers all over her body.
Elnor was now thoroughly fright
ened, as well as almost saturated
for it was acarly sunset, and almost
dark. Suppose the rain should
continue, for an hour or two more
The house couldn't be very fan
nov. If only she could make Tn.
Gle John, or somebody at the farm
heart Anyway, she would try, and
summoning all her strength, she
shouted, at the loudest her lungs
were capable of:
Uncle Johnl Uncle Johnl Dc
somebody, come herep'
But no answer came.
"0ne more effort said Elnor,
dcspairingly and then: "Oh, In
Gle Johnl Somebody Help!n
After o second or two there came
a response.
Who calls ?n was shouted.
Nellie y exclaimed Elnor,
thinking it was Uncle John. "Oyer
here by the big oak. Do hurry, for
Tm nearly soaked p
There was no answer: but. in q
n nent or two Elnor's strained vis-
ion beheld a huge umbrella looming
not far away, under which two gi-
gantic legs were making strides to-
ward her. The face and upper
part OF the body were hidden from
view by the umbrella; bat, in a
it flashed on Elnor that
those limbs could never be Uncle
Meanwhile the knight OF the un-
brella had reached the blushing girl
and was Offering his arm
ALLOW me" be said, in low, eour-
teous tones, not seeming to notice
the petite figure.
Elnor placed her hand within his
arm, and, not daring 10 raise her
eyes, murmured soft, Thank
you w
Oh, not at allm exclaimed q
chaery voice, "Now which way shall
we 90 ?"
"Elnor directed him, and explain
al how it was she had been caught
in he rain; then, as her wet gar
melts swished around, she could
not restrain a laugh at her comical
though decidedly uncomfortable,
The rain, still pouring, was sat
urating the gentleman's light cloth
ing, and it was with a heartfelt
ejaculation Of thankfulness that e.
nor entered the little front porch of
her aunt's house.
Mrs. Ware came to the door as
she heard the little gate shut, and
her exclamations were many and
varied as she perceived her niecc's
saturated appearance. She at once
hurried her away to change her at
ire, leaving Uncle John TO do hon
lrs to the gentleman.
Elnor, as yet, did not know his
lame, nor had she seen his face,
md in her heart she was anxious
ior both as she descended the steps
/ half-hoUr later. Her drenched
avn was changed for a black grena-
line; a sweet rose was at her throat,
mother nestled amid the shining
,raids of her golden hair, entering
he sitting room, she made her way
70 the figure stanGine by the man
el. his back to the door which she
lad entered. She knew that pepper
coat only too well, and she
Yas just trille disappointed that
/ was her uncle, and not The strang-
r whom she saw there. Anyway,
hough, she would find out his name,
10, softly placing her hand on one
1epper-and-sait shoulder she asked,
vita q little laugh.
WHO IS lie, uncie?n
Uncle turned, and by the flicker
ng light of the fire, for the evening
lad grown chilly, Elnor's amazed
eyes fell on-Hugh Castlemon-on-
\ attired in Mr.. Wares dry gar
nents.
She recognized him the moment
ler eyes rested on his handsome
e. She saw at once the likeness
Q his photograph I; and he, with
. onder on his face recognized her.
"Mr. Castlemon :"
Miss Yancel"
Both started back. Einor's fair
ace crimsoned and then Hugh ex-
:laimed, in incFedulous tones:
why, Miss Vance, / thoughtyou
we're with Flcssiew
II though you were therew ex-
.laimed Elnor, with a proud lift
ng Of the goid-crowned head.
Hugh at once understood the sig
lificant gesture, and his heart beat
he quicker at the thought tha. she
vas not what he had half suspected
ler, but was the sweet, womanly
being that her pure, lovely counte-
nance betokened.
He could have taken her in his
arms then, as she stood there, her
fair cheeks abloom. her proud head
erect: but instead of that he only
,aid, with q quizzical glance into the
s.ue eyes: