The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-01-12
MEETINGIN THE RAIN.
A Thanksgiving RemaaeA

- ySue4 1NeE "oo winning lofJAuhy
along the country road reading out
Of the little village of N. 1t was
an isolated region, and she had met
no one, except now and then a tiled
laborer returning frem his short au-
tumn days work, who gazed at
her with some surprise, as he made
her an uncouth salutatien
For this young lady, Miss Violet
Dennis by Name, was evidently not Of
tAs locality, as one saw at a glance.
From the top Of her little close walk
ing hat to the tip of her dainty boot
she was as elegant and stylish as
nature and art could makeher. Her
presence here iust. now was due to
the fact that she had fingered late at
q country clearinghouse, where she
had accompanied an invalid aunt,
after the gay season of the watering
places was over. This Was the last
evening of her stay at N, and she
was nov returning from the daily
constitutional which she made L
great point of. She walking rapidly,
for there was an Imminent threaten
ing Of rain-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 Of a steady, settled downpour,
which soon drenched her. She couldn' t
help laughing at the idea of her ab-
surd appearance, and was plodding
bravely on, when she suddenly be-
come aware of a buggy approaching
her.
1t contained one person only
young gentleman, who had the air
of a man of the world, and was dress
ed in the rough textured, well fitting
equipment suited to a hunting expe-
dition.
The rain was coming down in tor
rents as he approached Miss Dennis,
and he gave her very bewildered
gaze, and lifted his hat aut omatical-
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, springing 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 I don'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 a manner
that was extremely deferential, des-
pite it's hurry. ut 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 a 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
voice that had such an imperious
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 tor" he said, turning and
facing her, and as he did SO. broke
into a broad smile. There was moth
ing in the smile but pure amusement
but, none the less, she resented it.
"To Mrs. Harper boarding house
at this end of the village, if you
know" she answered distinctly.
81 do not know, roget to say.
But you will direct me, please"
Miss Dennis merely bowed in re
~ do notknow this country at all, .
the gentleman went on, "and you
suppose, are almost as much as
stranger to it,"
This was unendurablel What RICH,
had he to be trying to find out things
about her? She avoided looking to
wards the handsome, brown-beardeG
lace so near her, and answered, in
chilling tone"
son the contrary, 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 tt
intimidate him so that he would mo-
repeat the question.
II asked If you lived in this neigh
borhood," her companion said, quit
unabashed, and with q twinkle in hi
eyes that would probably have an
gered her further still II she hat
deigned to meet his gaze.
"No, I do not live in this neighbor
hood" answered the girl, icily. :.
81 am sure the neighborhood i
vastly the loser thereby"
Violet threw back her head will
o motion of naughty Indignation
whereat the stranger broke into ,
merry laugh.
At last the drive came to an end
and it was with infinite satisfaction
that she pointed out Mrs. Harper
house.