The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-17

~
~ of that week he had called or
Tuesday and Friday evenings only
and had remained until after II
o'clock, joking laughing and apparent
Iy enjoying himself. But now he
came every night and seemed less
laxative and more glum each time
also his calls grew shorter. and he
went home as early as half past 8
The sisters did not know what to
/ make of it. 1T was pleasant and en-
couraging TO have him come so often
but why didn't he stay longer? Miss
Tempy thought he must be worrying
over the big contract.
! She asked Clara for her opinion but
Miss Hopkins seemed very indifferent
She used to come into the sitting room,
as soon as the work was done to listen
/ to Captain Titcomb's stories, but of
late she had gone straight to her own
room. The old maids did not urge her
to remain. They liked to have the cap
tain to themselves.
On the afternoon of the previous
Sunday Miss Tempy had taken sud
den notion to go over to the Methodist
chapel and attend the Sabbath school
concert. The chapel was on the road
to Orham Port, a mile or more from
the Allen home. Miss Prissy was not
strong enough to go and, in fact,
thought the walk too long for her del
icate sister, but Miss Tempy, having
made up her mind, went She would
have been glad of Clara's company,
but the young lady had already gone
out
Miss Tempy had just reached the
corner when she was surprised to see
Captain Titcomb driving toward her
in a buggy. She recognized the horse
and carriage as being the best owned
by Lem Mullett, the livery stable keep
err; also she noticed that the captain
looked particularly well dressed
spruced up, she told Miss Prissy after
ward.
"Capn,' she called. "Cap'n Ezra!''
The captain was then almost direct
ly opposite, but he did not seem to
hear or see her. Instead he whipped
up the horse and drove by faster than
ever.
Dear mer' thought Miss Tempy.
HE must be gittin' absentminded.
w VthlLl loO SuCSS- Zap II
Ezra
1t is doubtful if the captain would
have heard even then, but Jonadab
Wixon was coming down the road,
and he also began to shout. Hailed
thus, fore and aft, the absentminded
one was obliged to heave to, and when
Captain Jonadab pointed out Miss
Tempy he turned his horse and drove
back to where she was standing
well, | do declarer' exclaimed the
lady, smilingly conscious of becom-
ing new bonnet-one of the reasons
for her desire to attend the concert.
I'm all out of breath calm after you.
don't know what folks will think
The captain didn't appear to care
very much what folks might think He
was polite as usual. but seemed to be |
a trifie nervous and kept glancing up
and down the road. Miss Tempy, I'M
conscious of the nervousness, went |
gushingly on.
What a lovely horse"' she cried. 81 |
declare, it must be a pleasure TO ride /
behind him. / do SO like to ride with a
nice, gentle horse like that. Father |
used to take Prissy and me drivin'
with our Dexter when he was alive
father was alive, / mean-yes. and the
horse, too, of course. l hope 1 haven't
kept you. Was you goin' to see Brad
ley"
NO. no. was the hasty answer. 81
waS jest-jest drivin' down the road
a ways" Then. perhaps noticing that
his friend was headed toward the viii
lage, he added: Il had little errand
down toward the Port You're goin'
uptown. L see. else I'd ask you TO
jump in
why. how lovelyr' exclaimed Miss
Tempy. Il was goin' TO the Port, too
down TO the Methodist folks concert.
only came this way cause / thought
Ia stop at Mrs. Winsate's and see if
she wouldn't go with me. Prissy was
afraid the walk there and back would
De too long for me, aud. truth to tell.
was little afraid of it myself. III
iidn't. expect TO ride, and with YOU
-ap.n Ezra. It'll be such treat. be-
.ause l shall feel perfectly safe with
ron driyiu'"