Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-10-07


door OF the church. The stone step
was but few PAGES away from the
road, and l aligllted and helped the
old man down. | was wondering If
l should have to go on to Maltby's.
the sexton of the new meeting house,
and get the key, when | saw that
the door was open a little crack.
! pushed it, and it gave at my touch.
l walked into the semi-darkness.
holding to Elder Wynne's hand that
he might not stumble, and together
we entered the vestibule of the
church, and then | pushctl on to the
main door. This. too, I must open,
and then VIC stood in The central
aisle of the old stone building.
'lIist!" The sound came out of
the darkness.
"Who is that?" said 7.
"Maltby, is that you?" 1 heard.
"We're-l've seen enough. It's a
very interesting old" BY this
time the speaker was close to me,
and we recognized each other at the
same moment.
"Oh Mrs. Brathwaite! Is that you?
What queer place to meet you in"
He spoke in a very loud tone of
| voice.
SOFTLY, sir, softly! You are in
the Lords House." said Elder Wynne
In his soft, quavering tones.
II beg your pardon. l was SO sur
prised! There's nothing to see
nothing. | assure you. I've been all
over the old ram-shaclle affair
there is really nothing" He stood in
the middle of the aisle. His so
standing blocked our way.
What! Not the carving of the
Resurrection and the font given by
the first Swede pastor? Why, where
were your eyes, Mr.. Beldon? We
must see those, of course. Come,
DR.. Wynne."
My lower-back backed slowly
down the dark aisle, talking volubly
to us and occasionally CHANGING over
his shoulder. The church was dimly
lighted, and I suggested having one
OF the windows opened-the blinds,
rather. NJ will go in the carriage
and get the SEXTON" said I.
81 think we can send for him more
easily" said Mr.. Beldon. Hi,
JOHNNY" and there appeared out of
the darkness the little deformed
child whom l had often seen playing
round the door of the Maltby home
stead. go and tell your father that
Mrs. Brathwaite wishes the blinds
opened"
Hes gone to the village" replied
Johnny, "but if you and the lady had
enough of light"
"1he lady says she cannot see,"
said Mr.. Beldon, breaking in, chow
81 mean the other lady," said
Johnny.
GO! at once, Johnny" broke in
Mr.. Beldon, ''and see if he hasn't
come home yet" There was sud.
den CLEAN of outer sunshine as
Johnny ran through the door, and
by it's ray perceived handkerchief
on the cushioned seat near where 1
was standing. picked it up at once.
1t had variegated border which 1
knew well.
THANK you," said Mr.. Beldon, hold.
ing out his hand.
ut isn't yours" said I. ut be-
longs to my young woman boarder,
Miss Dacres."
Does it?" said Mr.. Beldon, clap
ping his hand to his pocket. Where,
then, can l have left mine? Does
that young woman penetrate even
to the temple of the Lord? Is moth
ing sacred from her, not even this
holy edifice?"
l did not like his tone, and Elder
Wynne looked at him as if it Jared
upon him.
Young man." he said, in his quay
ering voice, when you come to my
age you will not speak slightlngly Of
pile like this. or of it's Master"
u don't call that slightingly, SIR"
said Mr.. Beidon, respectfully. 81
really am surprised at that young
woman. l meet her everywhere on
the road. She prizes into everything,
but she seems no more willing to
make my acquaintance than l am to
make hers. | wonder if she was
here lately"
Elder Wynne began to cough.
THE church is damp" 1 said. ooh,
dear! How reproached l shall be if
you have taken more cold Do come
out into the sunshine"
"The church is not really cold,"
said Mr.. Beldon. LET me see if I
cannot open the blind without wait
ing for Maltby. 1t would be pity,
after you have come SO far, not
to-"
1t came over me just then that he
had declared that the church held
nothing of interest.
No! no." said DIR. Wynne, hurry
ing towards the door much faster
than l had thought possible he could.
Il cannot stay here longer. l must
get out, out into the air."
His tone frightened me, and / hur-
ried after him.. l never saw him
show such vigor. He was standing on
the church step when came through
the door, and was shading HIS eyes
with his hand and looking down the
road. My eyes followed his. !!9Whe
is that?" He indicated a flying
figure ssiilhoouetted against the sets
ting sun
"That9" said l. "That? Why, it
looks very much like my other board
er, Miss Dacres." Mr.. Beldon looked