The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-06-27

| MonhcTs, uigmty, responsibility, san
hy itself, deserted her for the mo-
ment. The horror Of what she had
done appalled, her. She saw prison
bars and stripes looming before her.
The very heavens seemed shutting
down over her head and she gasped
for breath.
Behind the hawthorn hedge the
laugh froze on Lorain Cox's lips. His
fiery head rose out Of eclipse slowly,
and he saw the worst. The spirit of
khghthood burst from bud into bios
som IN his soul at that mement.
How long jess lay on her bed with
her fingers in her ears she never
knew; q minute? an hour? a week?
Then she righted herself and got on
her feet weakly. 1t was borne in
upon her that she must 60 down il
she died in the attempt. Somewhere,
out there on the lawn the governor
was slowly "drip-dsenching." What
was he thinking aboutf Was he-did
governors swear? Did they rave and
call down vengeance? Did they, oh,
did they carry dry clothes in their
grips?
She was made of hero flesh and
blood, but her feet almost refused to
| mow. She went to the head of the
stairs three times and back. Then
with gasp she plunged out and down
the stairs, like little hunted white
animal.
Suddenly, on the landing, she heard
a laugh, then another. That one was
Rains. The first one doomed out
again, deep and hearty. She peeped
between the palms in the landing win
dow. They were out there together,
the governor and Rain. And Midget
Midget was perched on the gov
ernor's knee. He did not look terri
BILE with wrath, and he looked, he
certainly did. dry!
mo, you couldn't call it cut and
dried reception" drifted up to her
in Lorain's voice with Lorain's big
laugh at the end.
Midge and the governor joined in
enioyingly.
Rather cool one, though" added
Rain, trying to be dignified, with
bizarre effect. "You see, she thought
she was dousing me-Jess is near
sighted. She meant to be regularly
on her dignity when you came, been
practicing all day"
He had made the explanation once
before, and added another about Mr..
and Mrs. Golfers absence. Rain
was really doing finely. Knighthood
sat upon his big, lank figure and
freckled face with becoming grace.
Good boy!" murmured Jess. And,
taking heart, she went on downstairs
bravely. 1t was a flurried, meek lit
tie maiden who crossed the wet grass
to the lawn chairs and held out lit
tie shaking brown hand. Lorain
gasped and sought for landmarks, to
assure himself that it was Jess.
Hes all ironed again." volunteered
Midge, cheerfully. "'Rain ironed him,
didn't you, Rain? He wasn't so very
awful wet"
The governors eyes danced wicked
", but his heartstrings tugged with
pity for the sorry little maid and he
forbore.
"Miss JESSE" he said, grasping the
limp little hand warmly. "Well, Miss
Jess, I am delighted to see you. I've
put you into my speech already-your
strong temperance principles,
mean"
And of course Jess laughed. And |
of course the worst was over. 1t was
very gay little party, out on the
lawn, until Jessica, by and by, stole
away to make up for her terrible re-
ception as much as possible by get
ting the ill-used governor the very
daintiest of teas.
When the rest of the family came
home at eight, things bore a peaceful.
successful aspect that assuaged Mrs.
Golfers dim forebodings at once.
Mr.. Collier had been undisturbed. !
When they were alone moment, he !
made jovial inquiries. "Well, Puss in
Boots, was he struck the minute he
clapped eyes on you, eh?"
"Y-yes, daddy, the minute" faltered
Jess, demurely.
"Ah, told you so, little Mis- Collier!
And you stayed on your dignity,
Puss?"
mo. Oh no, daddy; I'm sorry, but
1 ran away"
"Jessica!" The little mothers voice
was stern with reproach.
He was so wet and drippy, num-
sic, you'd have run away yourself"
jess murmured. And then in real hu-
mility she told the whole awful story.
Nobody laughed but Janet.
That evening late, Jess stole out to
the hawthorn hedge and waited. Lo-
rain was sitting on his doorsteps in
the moonlight, laughing softly to him.
self. His eyes caught the CLINT OF
light on Jessica's glasses-so Jess had
"gone into" her specs!-and he sprang
to his feet.
"Faire ladye," he began, with his
hand on his heart. !
mo, don't, Rain; I'm in earnest"
interrupted Jess, soberly. "Kneel
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