Barton County democrat., 1903-07-10

IT WAS MISS DACREs' POCKET
BOOK.
over the old ram-shackle affair
there is really nothing" He stood in
the middle of the aisle. His so
standing blocked our way.
'Whati 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 volubIy
to us and occasionally glancing over
his shoulder. The church was dimly
lighted, and suggested having one
of the windows opened-the blinds,
rather. 81 will go in the carriage
and get the SEXTON" said I.
ST think we can send for him more
easily" said Mr.. Beldon. eli,
Johnny!' and there appeared out of
the darkness the little deformed
child whom I had often seen playing
round the door of the Maltby home
stead. $50 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
''The lady says she cannot see,"
said Mr.. Beldon, breaking in, show
ever"
ct 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 I perceived handkerchief
on the cushioned seat near where I
was standing. I picked it up at once.
It had a variegated border which
knew well.
''Thank you," said Mr.. Beldon, hold
ing out his hand.
cit isn't yours" said I. cit be-
longs to my young woman boarder,
Miss Dacres.''
"Does it?" said Mr.. Beldon, clap
ping his hand to his pocket. ''Where,
then, can I 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?"
I did not like his tone, and Elder
Wynne looked at him as if it Jared
upon him.
young man, he said, in his quav-
ering voice, "when you come to my
age you will not speak slightingly of
a pile like this, or of it's Master
''I don't call that sightingly, SIR
said Mr.. Beldon, respectfully. 81
really am surprised at that young
| woman. = meet her everywhere on
| the road. She prizes into everything,
but she seems no more willing to
| make my acquaintance than I am to
| make hers. I wonder if she was
here lately"
Elder Wynne began to cough.
1.-The church is DAMP said. "Oh,
dear! How reproached I 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 1
cannot open the blind without wait
ing for Maltby. It would be a 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
mo! no." said DIR. Wynne, hurry
ing towards the door much faster
than had thought possible he could,
81 cannot stay here longer. must
get out, out into the air.
| His tone frightened me, and hur-
ried after him. I never saw him
show such vigor. He was standing on
the church step when I came through
the door, and was shading his eyes
with his hand and looking down the
road. My eyes followed his. "Who
is that?" He indicated a flying
figure silhouetted against the set
| ting sun
| "That?" said I. 'That? Why, it
looks very much like my other board
er, Miss Dacres." Mr.. Be1don looked
after the diminishing figure. "I be-
lieve you are right" said he. 'aThat
is Miss Dacres. wonder where she
| came from2s