Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-04-25
CHAPTER V.

And now, it seems tC me, begins
the most interesting part of my
story, the beginning of the end. One
day the ladies, ever thoughtful, had
sent the carriage down to see if /
would not like to go for an airing
1t was quite late in the afternoon
but I had told them that it was the
only time when I could possibly ac-
cept their kind offer, as then my
daily round had been accomplished
1t was tiresome to drive alone, but
Miss Elizabeth had a severe head
ache, and Miss Evelyn could not leave
| her.
| I first knocked at the door of my
lower-front to see if she would not
| like to take the vacant seat. In
| truth, it came into my mind that per-
haps in the close companionship that
long drive brings about she might
be willing to say a little more about
herself, and / was anxious to learn
what there was to tell before I be-
gan to suggest anything to the la
dies. [ knocked, but no voice re-
sponded; I opened her door little
way, but the room was empty. / al
most wished that I could bundle up
Aunt Jane Mary and take her out
with me. Then suddenly bethought
nae of DR.. Wynne. I ran up to his
room and knocked. He came slowly
to the door, as became an old and
weak man, and my heart reproached
me that had not thought of him at
| first.
CDR. Wynne," said l, twill you take
a drive with me? I won't say lit
tie drive, because rhan stay ouu
just as long as / can"
LET me see," said DR.. Wynne,
smiling and showing his fine teeth.
[ always wondered to see them so
white and firm! isn't this my day
for President Smith?" He went to
his table and fumbled with a calen-
dar with the trembling uncertainty
that is SO pitiful in old age.
"Ah," he said, 'shere it is. No, he
does not come to-day. Yes, I am
at liberty to go with you. I shall
enjoy it very much. Can you show
me the old Swedes' meeting house
[ have always wanted to see it,"
Certainly" said I. "Our road lies
that way"
'That pleases me very much" said
DR.. or Elder Wynne, as he preferred
to be called. He came slowly down
the stairs and out through the gar
den and climbed into the great
roomy carriage. I covered his thin
old knees with the lap-robe and we
were off.
"Where to Mp" said old John.
'Along the Winchester road anc
through the Overly lane to the
Swedes' meeting house" Johr
touched his hat, and we sped swiftly
along. The day was balmy and we
had the windows down, but Elder
Wynne kept pulling up the lap-robe
when it slipped away.
We drove several miles and the1
turned into the Overly lane. Here
the young trees, which were jus1
bursting into earliest bud, met over
head. I felt sure that the woods
must hold for me some treasures il
the shape OF woodland flowers.
"Would you mind, DR.. Wynne, if
were to get out a moment to search
for flowers 2"
'No," said he, mot at all" I wen
through an opening in the fence an,
along the stream. There were little
patches of snow still lying in the
shaded spots, and [ realized tina
there could be no flowers, that
had come to the wrong place; theI
L turned to retrace my path, whe1
just under a great tree upon a fla
stone [ saw something lying.
picked it up. 1t was Miss Dacres
pocket-book. / had seen it in hel
hands several times. I put it in ny
pocket, and quite forgot it as I con
tinued my search for flowers. There
was nothing to reward me, and
returned to my carriage.
Elder Wynne was quavering abou
the Lost Tribes (and L can truth
fully say that I wished many time
that day that he had never fount
theDl) when John drew up at thu
door of the church. The stone stel
was but few PAGES away from thu
road, and 1 alighted and helped tn,
old man down. ] was wondering i
II should have to go on to Maltby's
the sexton of the new meeting house
and get the key, when l saw tina
the door was open little crack
| pushed it, and Il gave at my touch
walked into the -darkp ess