The Wahpeton times., 1888-12-06


was now returning from the daily
constitutional which she made q
great point of. She walking rapidly,
for there was an imminent threaten
ing of ofrain-already afew stray drops
had fallen. Rejecting that she had
neither waterproof nor umbrella, she
began to feel very apprehensive, and
not without reason, for in q few
minutes more she found herself in the
midst ofa steady, settled downpour,
whichsoon drenched her. She ecouldn't t
help laughing at the idea of her alb
surd appearance, and was plodding
bravely on, when she suddenly be-
come aware of a buggy approaching
T. contained one person only
f oung gentleman, who had the air
Of aman OF the world, and was dress.
ed in the rough textured, well fitting
equipment suited to q hunting expe-
dition.
The rain was coming down in tor
rents as he approached Miss Dennis,
and he gave her q very bewildered
gaze, and lifted his hat automatical-
ly as he passed. The next instant
an expression of wonder, doubt and
surprise came into his face, and he
abruptly turned his horse and came
up to her side, sp1inging from the
buggy and addressing her with much
earnestness.
"Pray let me drive you to your
destination" he said barring his head
to the rain and looking at her scru-
tinizingly.
'Thank you very much but l don't t
mind the rain," said Miss Dennis.
"Besides, am half way there, and
am already wet"
"Allow me to insist, though have
no right" he said, with manner
that was extremely deferential, des-
pite it's hurry. "It is really the only
thing to do"
Almost before she knew what she
was doing, Violet found herself walk
ing toward the buggy, and the next
instant the young man had taken
from it q mans rubber coat, and was
holding it out for her to put on. At
this Miss Dennis drew back, some
what haughtily. She was often
called naughty by her friends, and
sometimes laughed at by them be-
cause of it.
"Oblige me by putting this on at
once," the young man said, in q
voice that had such an imDerious
ring that Violet was actually sur
prised into compliance. An instant
more firm hand under my elbow
had assisted her to her seat, and the
young man had taken q seat beside
her, and carefully drawn the rubber
blanket around her.
''Where to?' he said, turning and
facing her, and as he did so. broke
into broad smile. There was snoth-
ing in the smile but pure amusement,
but, none the less, she resented it.
'"To Mrs. Harper's boarding house,
at this end of the village, if you
know" she answered distinctly.
II do not know, I roget to say.
But you will direct me, please"
Miss Dennis merely bowed in re-
ply;
II do notknow this country atall,"
the gentleman went on, "and you,
l suppose, are almost as much as a
stranger to it,
This was unendurable! What right
had he to be trying to find out things
about her? She avoided looking to-
wards the handsome, brown-bearded
faceso near her, and answered, in a
chilling tone.'
"On the contrary, I know it very
WE'LL"
"Then you live in this neighbor-
hood?" he asked, in surprised
tone.
81 beg your pardon" said Violet,
severely, not that she did not under
stand him, but that she wished to
intimidate him so that he would not
repeat the question.
II asked if you lived in this neigh
borhood," her companion said, quite
unabashed, and with a twinkle in his
eyes that would probably have an
gered her further still if she had
deigned to meet his gaze.
s'No, I do not live in this neighbor-
hood" answered the g irl, icily.
81 am sure the neighborhood is
vastly the loser thereby"
Violet threw back her head with
a motion of naughty indignation,
whereat the stranger broke into a
merry laugh.
At last the drive came to an end.
and it was with infinite satisfaction
that she pointed out Mrs. Harper's
house.
II am very much obliged to you,"
she forced herself to say, ''though I
regret sincerely having trespassed on
your kindness"
'Don't mention it, I beg of you"
the young man answered, airly. 81
consider myself infinitely the favored
party, / assure you. I am indebted
to you for q charming drive, which
has had no drawback, except it's
ahoEtneas. - 1890 4