Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-09-07


before the broken knob. At once b.
understood the situation. An exclama
ton OF Impotence escaped him, and he
crossed the room hastily and threw
open window and heavy outside shut
tiers, while Olive sat Imply down and
watched him. The lamp fickered out
but every few seconds he was visible In
the lightning flashes, standing up brave
and strong and unaffrighted. The
girls strength was fast leaving her
and when a lurid flash danced upon the
floor and played mischievously about
among the benches she gave a cry Of
terror.
The minister hastily closed the win
dow and CROPPED toward her. sis any
thing the natter" he inquired anx'
iously.
Nothing, only I'm afraid-so afraid
OF the Storm" she moaned.
His heart went out in pity for her in
her weakness, and, sitting down, he
put his arm protectingly about her, at
one would soothe a frightened child
and said tenderly, 'Poor little one. d
And Olive, as crash after crash ter.
rorized her, chung TO him and hid her
head on his shoulder and sobbed and
shivered. And so they sat until the
storm had spent itself and the moon
shone again. Then she sat up, abashed
and prim.
Il don't know how we're to get out,
she said hopelessly.
How about the windows?" he in
quired.
"All too high"
And the CELLAR"
"opens only out of doors. There's
nothing to do but wait till some one
passes and call out. We tried every
way today" And then she told him
her previous experience.
He rose and paced uneasily about the
room, looking out upon the road Olive
closed her eyes and thought over the
events of the last three hours. She was
perfectly conscious that she ought TO
be ashamed OF her conduct during the
storm, yet somehow she was not, and
try as she would she could not be other
wise than glad that he was with her.
Her reverie was broken In upon by the
minister.
He seated himself again at her side,
saying forlornly; 1--WE are likely to be
kept here for some time, perhaps till
morning. l am more sorry than / can
tell you.n
"Yes," she replied 81 know. 1t
can't be helped"
II wish you would tell me-" he went
on, what you meant by your words
when | came in
Like an ice wind piercing even to her
heart came the recollection of her vow.
There was no reply.
perhaps it isn't the proper time to
ask it, but | think you owe me an ex-
PLANTATION.
Olive remembered the written pages
addressed TO him at home. She could
have sent him the explanation, but it
seemed well to get it over with at once.
I'VE have been gossiped about" she
said DULY, land | made up my mind
that give up church and lessons and
everything rather than be talked
about"
And you wanted to give up psychol-
ogy?" he asked.
mo, | did not, but | thought it
best"
II understand how it is" he replied
slowly. 81 am fond of the lessons, too,
and yet I've heard the gossip, ar d I've
made up my mind that I'd-better give
them up
Her face flushed and paled, and she
sat up straighter and primmer than
ever, mentally rejoicing that she had
suggested it first.
Unless" he continued, low but dis
w eai = IL wi tdSH JULIET
to study together all our lives"
The sentence ended so unexpectedly
that she caught her breath in a half
sob and buried her face in her folded
arms on the desk in front. He leaned
over her and tenderly stroked her soft
hair.
IL shouldn't have spoken of it to-
night, little one, but it spoke itself.
And you think you could? Tell me-
he pleaded eagerly.
Yes, think / could,n came the low
reply, "for you don't know how dread
nl felt when / thought must give
up the psychology.
The sound of wheels suddenly awak-
ened them to realization of the pres
ent. The minister fastened to call to
the driver, who speedily released him,
laughing heartily over the scrape.
Then the two men went off together,
leaving Olive, with beating heart,
wedged in behind the door. When the
farmer drove down the road, the min
lister returned for Olive