The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-06-20

MISS kA1ECh1LD, HE BEGAN VIGOROUS
LY, II PBOTESTp
You better sit down here" he remark
ed calmly, leaning back easily against
tree trunk, because l have no inten-
ton of allowing you to dispose of me
MS you intended to-
Elizabeth sat down in confusion. Il
didn't intend TOTO dispose Of you"
she stammered, with downcast eyes
which confessed her guilt
"Oh, yes. you did, You intended to
take me down to that station at ex-
press speed and leave me there. Yes,
you did in answer TO q slight shake
of her head. You had the plot all
laid and was carrying it out at the
rate Of half a mile a minute"
There Yves an instant's silence, dd.
ing which Elizabeth. leaning over her
side of the rock, examined some moss
attentively Suddenly her shoulders be-
gan to shake. The righteousness of
the situation was taking possession of
her. A faint sound Of laughter reach
ed the tree trunk 1t acted like a spark
in q powder magazine, and with
burst all the laughter which Callahan
had been REFRESHING rang forth.
They laughed until the tears came
Then they wiped their eyes, looked at
each other and laughed again. Eliza
beth felt that the cobwebs had been
swept away from her eyes, and she
could look at her guest for the first
time in an open, friendly fashion.
Il wanted to tell you down at the
station last night not to mind" Gala
man began but l didn't dare. I'm
sorry to be the cause Of so much an
noyance to you-and qualification to
the minister, that good old duffsr"
Here he went off again sending out
peal after peal of laughter.
And Elizabeth, happy at being her.
self again, joined him. Il was afraid
YOU wouldn't understand" she said at
last, not being familiar with the mat
rlmonial sentiments of our village"
Understand" he interrupted hearth
ly. "Of course l understand. I was
brought up in little Connecticut town
where every man Is considered mar
riageable at twenty Luckily" with a
sidewise glance, Il left before that
time and so must answer for the crime
of bachelorhood"
Elizabeth drew a long breath 81
thought there was no place as openly
addicted to matrimory as the High
lands"
Callahan stopped to adjust a strap
on his suit case. 'No town has
monopoly on that business, l believe"
he said drily. 1--WE known ideas anent
it to penetrate towel, We'll say
Boston apartment"
The whistle of the express sounded
far up the track. Callahan arose and
picked up his suit case. Then he
peered over the rock down on the sta
ton. There's our friend the minister
waiting to see me Off" he chuckled.
land the fat man who placed me so
readily on my arrival last nightr'
An expression of annoyance passed
over Elizabeth's face. They must
have something to talk about, I sup
pose" she said resignedly
For a moment the two walked down
the path together in silence. Then Cal.
lamar began soberly, Miss Fairchild,
should very much enjoy giving those
people something worth talking
about"
Elizabeth innocently fell into the
trap. How" she asked, glancing up
with a smile
His tone was earnest despite the
luizzical pucker at the corners Of his
mouth. "By visiting you again in
say, December-not to discuss china!
May I Gomez"
Elizabeth caught her breath. She
glanced into the blue gray eyes meet
ing hers in deep questioning and re-
piled simply, yes"