Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-06-14

down over her head and she gasped
for breath.
Behind the hawthorn hedge tho
laugh froze on Lorain CoX's lips. His
fiery head rose out of eclipse slowly,
and he saw the worst. The spirit OF
knighthood burst from bud into bios
som in his soul at that moment.
How long Jess lay on her bed with
her fingers in her ears she never
knew; Il minute? an hour? a week?
Then she righted herself and got on
her feet weakly. 1t was borne in
upon her that she must go down il
she died in the attempt. Somewhere,
out there on the lawn the governor
was slowly "drip-drenching." What
was he thinking about? Was he-did
governors swear? Did they rave and
call down vengeanceP 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
move. 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
laugh, then another. That one was
Rains. The first one doomed out
again, deep and hearty. She peeped
between the palms in the landing VIM
dow. They were out there together,
the governor and Rain. And Midget
Midget was perched on the gov
ernor's knee. lie 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.
Nudge and the governor joined In
enioyingly.
Rather n cool one, though" added
Rain, trying to be dignitied, 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. IL 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
Nudge, 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, am delighted to see you. I've
put you into my speech already-your
strong temperance principles, l
meant"
And of course jess laughed. And
of course the worst was over. 1t was
a very gay little party, out on the
. | htr Nv toll
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 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
l ran away"
"Jessica!" The little mothers voice
was stern with reproach.
. "He was so wet and drippy, mum.
sic, you'd. have run away yourself"
Jess murmured. And then in real hui
mility she told the whole awful story
That evening late, Jess stole out ia
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 lad
gone into" her specsl-and he spranq
to his feet.
, "Faire ladye," he began, with hi,
hand on his heart.
mo, don't, Rain; I'm in earnest. I,