The Democratic advocate., 1908-11-20
IMPRESSING
ISABEL.
Rv ELLIOT WALKER.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

.ror TO get out of this scrape." The
e.;rl nonred helplessly from the anti
0no+ad shed, shuddering at the thun-
ior crashes close on the heels of every
dash of lightning.
deluge of rain swept across the
,rid pastures. The brook, fifty feet
away, roared between it's alder lined
banks.
T-non her wide hat fell steady drib-
,,o from the leaky roof, and her thin
5ross was fast dampening in the mist
driven shelter.
Che forced laugh. Isabel Lynn was
rot easily daunted. Of course it was
lonely and wet and very shattering to
Tho nerves, but she was perfectly safe.
nh yes. let her thank her stars to be
secure under the friendly boards.
Suddenly a gasp broke from her.
Che shrank back Something was
coming with leaps through the high
weeds growing rankly at the corner Of
her retreat Through Isabel's startled
hroin tore thoughts of dangerous ami
mails The near mountains might hold
ANYTHING. She covered into the far
tbpst corner. Surely the thing would
go by.
Brt If didn't. 1t dashed under the
shell with a loud snort, blowing and
shaking vigorously, then stood gazing
ot the storm, and words came to 1Sa-
bnTs Mortified ears in steady stream
Of disgusted wrath.
"Well, if this doesn't beat me! Look
at nv shoes. Look at my new flannel
emit, Nv hat is ruined! The next time
7 20 trailing around on the trail Of a
cirl I'll know it. Foster Allston, you're
an ur1litigated ass. ] guess the charm
ing Miss Lynn will not have the pleas
ure cf meeting you. Girls! Bah! I'll
take the first train home. I wish I'd
never heard Of her"
so do T." sounded voice in his rear.
The man jumped and wheeled. He
saw a slender, white gowned figure
straighten up, take forward step and
then halt. \ clap of thunder drowned
his exclamation. Then his jaw fell.
Did you speak, sir?' Indignantly.
IL tried to. Really, II am over
iOyed toto be here, Miss Lynn. OF
course you are-you-that is-bless my
SOUL So unexpected, you know. Quite
a shower"
lie cut ridiculous figure in his star
ing embarrassment, pulling off the
wrecked straw hat, bowling in his soak
ed garments, greatly at loss for words,
woefully conscious of what he had
said And he knew that Isabel Lynn
had heard him as a model Of courtesy
and easy manners.
He scraped hesitating toe In the
dirt, smiling idiotically. Was it for this
his fifty mile journey?
Isabel is extremely particular and
sensitive to first impressions" his Aunt
Julia had said. 'Here is your letter Of
Introduction, Foster. It's silly to 60
crazy over a photograph, but go ahead.
She is worth it. Everything depends
upon the way she is approached. I've
praised you to her up to the Skies"
The girl stepped nearer, eying him
in sc0rnful amusement. Her eyes were
bright with i'll concealed desire to hum
bic. The dampness had curled her dis
ordered hair in bewitching rings about
her white forehead. Roses shone in the
smooth cheeks where sarcastic dimples
played.
Allston thought he had never seen a
more lovely face nor one so unread
able Idly swinging her hat, she sur
yeyed him curiously, with a chilling
hauteur, which stung him to steadi-
ness and a reckless impulse to retort.
When one summers at q farmhouse
and takes long strolls an occasional
wetting must be expected, Mr.. AL
ston,' said Isabel evenly. "You
shouldn't mind your new suit or youl
shoes. Dear me, how childish! l have
heard that you could afford to disre
gard trifes. I wasn't to blame. You
needn't have 'trailed' me-"
Allston regarded her in silence.
There was more than a hint Of dis
appointment in Isabers tone. Had she
been prejudiced in his favor only tc
react sharply at his boyish outburst?
Surely some humor lay in the situa
ton. Couldn't the girl see it? He re
fected dismally that many women
never forgive sighting remarks, ever
when uttered in unmeaning careless
ness.
The cool voice went on.
/ suppose they told you at the house
that | was over this way?'
Foster nodded.
And you never imagined I might be
in this shed?"
head shake.
You must have had me very mucl
on your mind. Were 1 a big man seek
illg lost damsel my idea would be tt
Keep my eyes open for the shelters tt
which she would sensibly run, not LOSE
my wits in selfish consideration of raj
ment and then anathematize the lady
She laughed cuttingly.
AllSton's cOuntenance was reddening
Why don't you speak?" The uplif
u her chin was challenge for his re
ply She would laugh and forgive hin
after sufficient reduction.
I'm thinking" said Allston slowly
I'm trying to make out what chance
nave of-of''- He paused, hesitating.
What chance?" Her eyes opened
VIDE at his seeming audacity.
of catching the o'clock train. 1t ii
getting late"
Oh." Isabel looked down, then up
Il strange darkness was settling dowI