Barton County democrat., 1903-07-10
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
And now, it seems to 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 I
would not like to go for an airing.
It 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 little more about
herself, and I was anxious to learn
what there was to tell before I be-
gan to suggest anything to the la
dies. I knocked, but no voice re-
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way, but the room was empty. I al
most wished that I could bundle up
Aunt Jane Mary and take her out
with me. Then suddenly bethought
me 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 I had not thought of him at
first.
''Dr. Wynne," said I, "will you take
drive with me? I won't say lit
tie drive, because I shall stay out
just as long as can"
''Let me see," said DIR. 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, "here 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 {?
L have always wanted to see it,
OC1 Sd1o L. OuI IOdO ACS
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 and
through the Overly lane to the
Swedes' meeting house." John
! 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 then
turned into the Overly lane. Here
the young trees, which were just
bursting into earliest bud, met over
head. I felt sure that the woods
| must hold for me some treasures in
the shape of woodland flowers.
"Would you mind, DR.. Wynne, if I
| were to get out moment to search
for f1owers?"
"No," said he, mot at all" I went
through an opening in the fence and
along the stream. There were little
patches of snow still lying in the
shaded spots, and I realized that
there could be no flowers, that ]
had come to the wrong place; then
I turned to retrace my path, when
just under a great tree upon fat
| stone I saw something lying.
picked it up. 1t was Miss Dacres'
pocket-book. I had seen it in her
hands several times. put it in my
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 about
the Lost Tribes (and I can truth
fully say that wished many a time
that day that he had never found
them) when John drew up at the
door of the church. The stone step
was but a few PAGES away from the
road, and aTghted and helped the
old man down. I was wondering ii
I should have to go on to Maltby's
the sexton OF the new meeting house
and get the key, when I saw that
the door was open a little crack
I pushed it, and it gave at my touch
I walked into the semi-darkness