Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-09-15

They could be home again in 20 min
utes, and no one would ever be the
wiser.
Ii was a gloomy evening when Pru-
dence, trembling with excitement, met
her lover in the garden. He himself
was little short of ~babbling lunacy. for
a partial realization of the seriousness
OF the affair had come to him as he
waited with a suddenness that had jar
red his wits. When she came fiuttering
along the dark path, he seized her hands
and kissed her hastily on top of her
hat, but that was all the same to him
in that moment
Heavy clouds were trailing In the tops
OF the trees, and a quick furry OF rain
tinkled On the dry leaves. They were
passing a rude arbor, and Rowan drew
the girl into ii. but the rain ceased be-
fore they had fairly crossed the thresh-
old.
What shall we do?" whispered Pru-
denee. 1--WE got on my blue hat with
the chiffon bow, and il It gets wet 1t
will be ruined"
This isn't going to amount to any
thing said Rowan. Its stopped al
ready"
Prudence put out her hand and felt
only a single small drop.
III we only had an umbrella" she be-
an. for 1t may rain. you know. when
we're coming back"
wait here" he cried, "and I'll get
one"
Wall while you 60 all the way
homer" she exclaimed I'D be scared
out OF my wits"
Then we'll have to risk it," he re-
piled. Our minister's there this even
ing, but he's going over to Allendale to-
morrow, to be gone the rest OF the
week"
Prudence hesitated. standing in the
arbor door and trying to read the Sc
crets of the dull, drifting clouds. There
was just light enough to see her up
turned face. and this time Rowan did
not waste a kiss upon the blue hat.
Il left my umbrella In the library
whispered Prudence. Perhaps l could
run BACK
"Ill have II in three seconds" &c
cried. And the girl stood alone in the
arbor.
The library was quite dark, as Rowan
had had every reason to believe that u
would be. He gained easy access
through a window, but 1t was a rather
more difficult matter to ind the UNI
brella. The young man stumbled over
chairs and knocked his elbows against
The corners of bookcases. He had made
three-quarters of the circuit OF the
room when a door opened and some one
entered.
Rowan %crouching close to the wall
tcrept softly toward a window, but he
had taken not more than half a dozen
steps when the Don became in an iD-
slant ~dazz,ingly light, and there stood
Judge Prior, with his hand upon the
electric button.
The young man was fortunate enough
ITO be one OF those persons for whom
time moves slowly in emergencies. He
seemed to have hours for reflection
while the judge was turning around. 1t
was an absolute necessity that ne
should give some reasonable explana-
tion of his presence. He was simply
obliged to think Oh one.
Judge Prior" he said in a %singularly
calm voice.
+, The venerable jurist "a naturally
startled, but Immediately regained ais
self control.
81 was waiting for you. sir" contin-
ued Rowan. 81 supposed that you
would come here after dinner, and |
wished to speak with you a moment in
private"
In their previous intercourse the
Judge had been very careful to show
that he did not regard Rowan as per-
sonally Objectionable; that the objec-
ton to him rested solely upon consid-
erations of his youth and that OF Pru-
dence.
BE seated sir" said Prior court
eously. And they took chairs upon OPP
posite sides OF the big table in the CEN
ter of the room.
AS Rowan sat down there came a
sudden shock of rain against the east
ern windows. The sweat Of agony
broke out upon him as he thought OF
Prudence in the arbor, and he rose
from the chair Involuntary.
Il have but a single word to say"
he began, without a notion as to what
that word might be. ITO say more
would be to waste your time as well as
my own"
Il would willingly grant you the en-
tire evening" said the judge urbanely.
pray, resume your seat and speak
without haste"
He waved his hand with a gesture Of
frm but gentle authority that had
quel.ed a thousand lawyers in the