Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-09-30
THE RAIN or AN EVENING.
~ sTAFFoRD GoDFREY.

spattered viciouSly on the platform;
he buttoned his macintosh closely
around him and stepped under the
projecting roof of the little station. The
village was a mile distant and the pros
pect of fioundering through the down.
pour afoot was not agreeable. He NUT
tered some adjectives relative TO the
weather, and was surprised to hear
feminine voice close to him ask:
Il beg your pardon; can you tell me
the means of getting to the village at
once? OF course | mean carriage"
Ralph threw his cigar, freshly light
ed. across the track, then wondered
why. He was not in the habit of dis
carding cigars upon being addressed
by persons with whom he was not ac
quainted. He wondered if this young
lady had overheard his opinion of at
fairs climatic; her tone had seemed a
trifie amused He answered:
Don't know, I'm sure. hope,
err. a carriage can be secured. had
decided to wait inside for a time.
He opened the door and bowed as
she passed through, observing that her
attire was faultless, and tried to mag
inc what brought her to this. deserted
country station. A light filmy veil
half disclosed her regular features. but
wholly prevented possible Identification.
Ralph inquired OF the ticket agent II
| he could get a carriage to drive to town
at once. and being informed in the
negative. seated himself beside his new
acquaintance.
s'There doesn't seem to be any way
ont of it," he said, unless we walk.
II seemed entirely fitting that he
should saw Eve" Secretly, he was
glad that no carriage was available.
There would be more pleasure III
mile walk with her, he thought.
.iThen | suppose / must wait on the
rain" she said
I'VE, if you do not object ne cor
rected, 81 should be honored 10 act DO
porter" glancing at her valise, ana
| escort" !,
|. .Tbe kindness will lie entirely IN
your allowing me to assist, he salo.
! Through the hazy transparency or the
veil he could distinguish handsome ou.-
lines, and eyes that shone and laugheu.
| There could be no necessity Tor "edI
| ing il indoors. Her voice sounded as
| the voice of one he had heard ofteh,
somewhere. A suggestion OF SOFT
modulated drawl-was pleasing VINO
| among his feminine acquaintance pos
sessed that popularity OF accent! SUD
denly he turned toward her and scru-
tinized her intently She regarded MIN
silently. The mild tension produced
by the abrupt action brought foftn
mirthful laughter, and the strain was
relieved.
| 1t was in London, three years before
and after meeting her he had post
poned his return to New York. Her
party travelled to Paris and over the
continent, and singularly, his plans
took him to the same places. When
they parted he had promised TO write.
| But he omitted to include his street
address in his missive, and she mad no
means of learning the location OF MS
office. He did not know this; prop
ably. he thought, she had wearied or
him and let the affair drop before II
should have become more than
| friendship. Now he had another oppor-
tunity, and he would win her or meet
| final defeat. He could not decide
whether she recognized him or not. A
mustache adorned the lip which had
| been smooth when she knew him III
| Europe.
1--WE run out here on some live stock
! business, and as I'm not expected,
there's no one here to meet mo. 9th
erwise my transportation facilities
would be entirely at your service"
| IF it comes to that, it is who
should excuse myself for being here,
she replied. Il had been invited to the
wedding of college friend, and think
, ing | could not come sent regrets. Then
at the eleventh hour l managed to get
away smiling, and So"
| And so were here
! She looked at him questioningly.
| He wished he had an invitation to that
wedding. He only said:
1.-The rain has ceased. Shall we
start?"
| Certainly, if you wish
| He wanted to ask her some queS-
tions, then one question, but that would
be easier outside, where the glare OF the
kerosene lamp did not penetrate. They
started off down the narrow plank
walk, he carrying her valise The walk
was quite slippery, and might she need
| his arm? She accepted it graciously.
| OF the weather and kindred interesting
| topics they talked for some time, and
the conversation dragged. He broke a
| short silence.
| L ought to introduce myself. My name
| is Ralph Allen My home is in New York. .
| The statement did not sound very smooth,
but he had opened the subject.
II am very glad to have met you, Mr..
| Allen / can't thank you enough for both
| ering to help me tonight.
| Il should like you, please. not to speak
of that again. once for ali, it is privi-
! lege. But it is SO pleasant now, may we
not walk slower?'
The wedding"
"Oh. 1 had forgotten that Is it this
| evening, then?'
NO; tomorrow" She laughed
Then / shall consider it a duty 10 sea
that you do not induce fatigue by rapid
| walking tonight"
BUTTS late, and they"
1.-The atmosphere is so clear and refresh
| ing And | am enjoying myself
Their pace had slackened ana they con-
tinued, each looking over the washed. cool
landscape.
And l was thinking of a girl I knew
/ once. She was very much Ike you. That's
why l speak Of her. You-you d1ii't mind p
NO; Ishould like to hear she said
slowly, looking away from him. Then he
/ continued: