Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-11-28
iMPRESSlNG
ISABEL.
BY ELLIOT WALKER.
Copyrighted. igas by Associated
Literary Press.


ever To get out of this scrapc." The
girl pccrcd hclplessly from The anti
qunicd shed. shuddcrlng ~ the thun-
,icr crashes close on the heels Of every
flash Of lightning.
y dclugc Of rain swept across the
wild pastures. The brook, nifty feet
away. ronrcd between It's alder lined
banks.
Upon her wide hat fell steady drlb-
bic from the lcaky roof. and her thin
dress was fast dampcnlng In the mist
driven shelter.
She forced laugh. Isabel Lynn was
not easily daunted. or course II was
lonely and wet and very SCATTERING to
the nerves. but she was perfectly safe.
Oh. yes: let her thank her stars to be
secure under the friendly boards.
Suddenly a gasp broke from her.
She shrank back. Something was
coming with leaps through the high
weeds growing rankly al the corner Of
her retreat Through Isabcl's startled
brain tore thoughts Of dangerous ami
mails. The near mountains might hold
anything She covered into the far
thcsi corner. Surely the thing would
go 10y.
I;ut II didn't. IL dashed under the
shed with II loud snort. blowing and
shaking vigorously then stood gazing
nj the storm. and words came to lisa
bcrs horrllicd ears IN steady stream
Of Disguised wrath
"Wcll. II this doesn't beat me. Look
ut my shoes. Look al my new flannel
suit. My hat Is ruined. The next time
go trailing around on the trail OF
girl Ill know II. Foster Allston, you're
nm unmitigated ass. ! guess the charm
Ing Miss Lynn Will not have the pleas
ure of meeting you. Girls Bah, III
take the first train home wish I'd
never heard Of her"
$50 do =" 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. | am over
joycd 10 to be here. Miss Lynn. OF
course you are you that Is bless my
soul. So unexpected. you know. Quite
n shower"
He cut ridiculous figure In his star
Ing embarrassment pulling OF the
wrecked straw hat. bowling In his soak
cd garments. greatly Mt loss for words.
wocfully conscious of what he had
said. And he knew that Isabel Lynn
had heard him as a model Of courtesy
aud easy manners.
He scraped Il hestating toe In the
dirt. smiling idiotically Was ii for this
his fifty mile journey:
Isabel Is extremely particular and
sensitive 10 first Impressions, his Aunt
Julia had said Here Is your letter OF
Introduction. Foster It's silly TO so
crazy over 4 photograph but go ahead.
She Is worth II. Everything depends
upon the way she is approached. I've
praised you 10 her up to the skies"
The girl stepped nearer cying him
IN scornful amusement Her eyes were
bright with III concealed desire 10 hum
Bile. The dampness had curcd her dis
ordered hair IN bewitching rings about
her white forehead Roses shonc In the
smooth cheeks where sarcastic dimples
played.
Alston thought he had never seen
more lovely face nor one SO unread
able. Idly swinging her hat. she sur
veycd him curiously. with Il chilling
hautcur. which stung him 10 steadi-
ness and q reckless impulse to retort
when one summers at a farmhouse
and takes long strolls an occasional
wetting must be expected. Mr. All
ston." said Isabel evenly. You
shouldn't mind your new suit or your
shoes. Dear me. how childish. ! have
heard that you could afford 10 disre-
gard tribes. | wasn't TO blame. You
needn't have 'tralled' me"
Allston regarded her Ia silence.
There was more than hint " dis
appointment In Isabel's tone. Had she
been prcjudiced in his favor only TO
react sharply at his boyish outburst:
Surely some humor lay In the sltua-
ton. Couldn't the girl see II: He re
tccted dismally that many women
never forgive sighting remarks. even
when uttered In unmeanlng careless
ness
The cool voice went on.
Il suppose they told you AT the house
that | was over this way"
Foster nodded.
And you never imagined might be
In this shedT'
\ head shake.
You must have had me very much
on your mind Were u big man seek
Ing Il lost damsel my Idea would he to
keep my eyes open for the shelters TO
which she would sensibly run. not lose
my wits In selfish consideration Of raj
ment and then anathematizc the lady"
She laughed cuttingly.
Allston's countenance was reddening.
why don't you speak" The uplift
Of her chin was a challenge for his re
tlv She yNoutd ianph and forgive him