The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1907-09-14
AFTER the RAIN


storm should pass. 1t was only
summer shower. but she wanted the
hat to wear at the picnic tomorrow
and she hurried for shelter.
1t happened to be the open doorway
Of business block. A fire had emp
tied the place Of tenants and there
was q smell OF wet. burned wood that
was unpleasant.
But still more unpleasant was the
fact that the doorway was already &C.
c,/pied and by Harris Hitchcock. Of
III persons.
III my presence distresses you" he
said coldly, II might find some other
shelter"
DO not disturb yourself on my &C.
count" she said coldly. There is
plenty of room for us BOTH
ut will only be for few moments"
he said with smile. These furious
storms seldom last
Kate made no reply to this state
ment Of self-evident fact. She was de-
termined not to be drawn into . con-
versation.
Hitchcock only smiled again. No
sense Of guilt hung heavily upon his
conscience. He had made fun Of
Kate's favorite matinee hero. and she
had angrily declared that she never
again wished to speak to man who
was SO lost to the appreciation of
artistic endeavor. He had attempted
to defend his position and had only
succeeded in angering her the more:
He knew how frightened she was
by thunder showers, and every time
she shrank from the heavy reverbera-
tons he longed to take her in his arms
and comfort her. but he knew better
than to seek to force the conversation
when her every nerve was jangling.
But when an exceptionally heavy peal
rent the air, he sprang forward and
grasped her arm.
Don't be afraid he said, reassur-
ingly'That struck nowhere near here.
There is not the slightest danger
Kate regarded him Indignantly. He
had sometimes leased her about her
fear Of lightning, and she was keenly
sensitive about her popularity.
In her overwrought nervous condi-
ton she believed that he was again
tormenting her and, at his touch she
shrank back. her face white with
anger and her eyes blazing.
"Since 1t appears that am not safe
form annoyance here" she said. hot.
ly. will you kindly permit me to
pass?"
Hitchcock barred the doorway. II
will CO. he said. quietly. BELIEVE me.
N IA MT r,oon IN oWopAp
Before he could step out into the
deluge she had thrust him aside. He
did not anticipate the novel and wa.
thrown OF his balance Before he
could recover himself Kate stood in
the doorway, gathering her skirts in
one hand.
Just at that moment dazzling Hash
shot from the heavens and rent a tree
on the opposite side of the street.
while the discharge was accompanied
by q terrific clap of thunder.
With little cry Kate turned and
blindly sought Hitchcock. who sprang
forward to catch her. She threw her.
self. sobbing, into his arms. and he.
oblivious to all else. sought to calm
her. Gradually the sobs softened, and
at last Kate lifted her head.
you always said was a silly about
lightning" she said. smiling through
her tears. but never supposed that
1t would lead me to be quite 10 fool.
fish,"
Il can understand It," he said COM
fortingly Il shall forget all about 1t
and consider that 1t never happened.
We are still our friends the enemy"
You don't suppose that l can quar-
rel with man. when I've been cry
ing In his arms the past ten minutes.
do you?" she demanded. 1T was a
Judgment upon me for being so head
strong"
And you are not angry?" he cried.
you were nice and didn't laugh"
she explained I'm sorry I was so
cross the other night Though she
added, you were not right In saying
what you did about Mr.. Kernochan."
IF you had let me finish what
was going to say could have told you
my reason" he said with SMILE
Mrs. Kernochan. or Mrs. Cassidy,
rather, is suing him for divorce be-
cause of his cruelty am her attor-
ney. which is how came to form my
estimate OF his character. He was in
Jail once for wife beating
Harry" she said. He bent his
head to catch the whisper
What is 1t. dear?" he asked.
You won't beat me when we're
married." she asked.
II should gay not. Look, Kate, it's
clearing up. Let's go and get the
ring.
TT was such lovely Storm" she
sighed contentedly as they stepped
put on the street.
A Clue.