Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-12-17

IhEt.S WOOLD DE 1OOD.
tears. She was thinking Of the mud
through which she must walk even
when the rain ceased, and she looked
down sadly at her dainty French heel
ed boots and the billowy ruflles Of her
new spring finery.
AS the rain poured on an old white
horse attached to an equally ancient
black buggy stopped in front of the
church. The occupant a young man.
pulled from beneath the seat some
side curtains and prepared to put them
on.
We'll. I'm blessed IL that amt Rob
ert Davisw cried Aunt Betty. Rob
ert. OH Robert, come
Don't, Aunt Betty" interrupted
Inez quickly as she drew back into
the church door. But she was too
late. The young man had heard and
was on the porch in n minute.
Robert, you're just the man We
want. You can take Inez home, for
you're a-goin' right by the house.
Amt 1t fortunateY Aunt Betty might
have observed from the expression of
her niece's face and the somewhat en-
barrassed attitude OF the young man
that they did not agree with her.
II shall be only too glad, Mrs. With
erby, to drive you and Miss Inez home.
Old Ned Is slow, but he gets there in
time" said the young man, looking di-
rectly at the elder woman and avoiding
Inez's eyes.
"Oh, but / ami a-goin' home I'm
a-goln' TO step right acrost the way to
take dinner with Susan and Matilda,
and you and IneZ will have more room
anyhow. That's dear boy" She pat
ted him affectionately on the arm; she
could not reach the big, broad shoul-
ders. "My sakes, but you are a-grow-
in, Robert! How's your mother? Come,
Inez, let me see you started home"
Aunt Betty, womanlike, asked more
questions than she expected to have an
swcred.
Inez drew back into the church.
Aunt Betty, | can walt until the rain
Is over and not bother Mr.. Davis" she
said, ayerting her eyes from tho young
man, who stood awkward and silent
Nonsense, child As If you and Rob
ert hadn't driven home together many
time. Bother, indeed? Come away.
child"
Aunt Betty was perfectly right They
Aad driven together many "A time, and
perhaps If the old white horse could
talk he might add that the conversa-
tion he overheard on these occasions
would not convey the impression that
either one was bothered" But It was
fully a month since he had logged
along before his handsome young mas
ter and the fair Inez, whom he had
ventured TO think was his mistress to
be-
"Come, Inez," said Bob, looking into
her eyes for the first time.
"Very well; | suppose | must" sho
replied. tuclsing UP her skirt and step
plug ahead OF him. He thought she
had never looked 80 pretty; little
petulent Dout was becoming to Inez.
'"Tuck In her dress, Robert" said
Aunt Betty when the young people
were I'm the seat, "and don't let her
spoil her bonnet. Goodby'
Tho gathering or the raindrops on the
buggy top and the splashing OF old
Ned's hoofs IN the muddy road were the
only sounds which broke tho silence In
the vehicle. Neither one had spoken,
After awhile Bob Davis leaned toward
his fair companlon and taking her
hand said. Pm sorry, Inez, that you
had TO como with me against your
wishes. but IL could not be-
$50 am /, very sorry indeed, Mr..
Davis" she interrupted, pulling her
hand from him, Nothing further
need be said"
1hey Lnpsed INTO silence again. Bob
thought Of the many times she had not
been reluctant TO drive with him and
n certain moonlight night not 40 long
since when she's had put her pretty
head on his shoulder aud told him he
might hold thc reinS OF life for her al
ways. Ito thought. too, OF another
night when they had quarrelcd and OF
how she took the ribbons from his
hands and urged Ned TO hurry, so she
might be soon rid of his company, she
said. He knew ahe did not mean II.
She Was angry and they were both
stubborn.
"Inez," he began again, won't
you
"No. ! won't do anything you ask,
Mr.. Davis. please hurry. wish TO
get home" And Inez moved farther
into the corner of tho seat shs was