Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-11-21
IMPRESSING
ISABEL.
BY ELLIOT WALKER.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.


ever to get out of this scrape." The
girl peered helplessly from the anti
quated shed, shuddering at the thun-
der crashes close on the heels Of every
flash of lightning.
A deluge of rain swept across the
Wild pastures. The brook, fifty feet
away, roared between its alder lined
banks.
Upon her wide hat fell steady drib-
Die from the leaky roof and her thin
dress was fast dampening in the mist
driven shelter.
she forced q laugh. Isabel Lynn was
not easily daunted. OF course 1t was
lonely and wet and very shattering 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 at the corner OF
her retreat. Through Isabers startled
brain tore thoughts Of dangerous ami
mails. The near mountains might hold
ANYTHING. She covered into the far
thest corner. Surely the thing would
60 by.
But 1t didn't. 1t dashed under the
shed, with loud snort blowing ana
shaking vigorously, then stood gazing
at the storm, and words came to lsa-
bePs Mortified ears In a steady stream
of disgusted wrath.
."Well. If this doesn't beat me! Look
at my shoes. Look at my new hannel
suit! My hat is ruined. The next time
1 go trailing around on the trail OF
girl I'll know It. Foster Allston, you're
an unmitlgated ass. ] guess the charm
ing Miss Lynn will not have the pleas
ure Of meeting you! Girls! Bah. III
take the first train home. l wish I'd
never heard Of her"
$50 do Iw sounded q voice in his rear.
The man jumped and wheeled. He
saw a slender, white gowned figure
straIghten up, take forward step and
then halt. A clap Of thunder drowned
his exclamation. Then his jaw fell.
"Did you speak, sir?" Indignantly.
IL tried to Really, II am over
loved toto be here, Miss Lynn. or
course you -you-that is-bless my
soull So unexpected, you know. Quite
a shower"
He cut a ridiculous figure In his star
inc 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 q hesitatlng toe in the
Girt, smiling idiotically.-Wasit for TINS
his fifty mile Journey?
Isabel IS extremely particular ana
sensitive to first impressions" his Aunt
Julia had said. Here is your letter OF
Introduction, Foster It's silly to go
crazy over a photograph, but 90 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 scornful amusement. Her eyes were
hrioht with i'll concealed desire to hum
ble The dampness had curled her dis
ordered hair in bewtching rings about
her white forehead. Roses shone IN the
smooth cheeks where sarcastic dimples
played.
Allston thought he had never seen
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 steadl-
ness and reckless impulse to retort
"When one summers at a farmhouse
and takes long strolls an occasional
wetting must be expected, Mr.. ALI
ston." said Isabel evenly. you
shouldn't mind your new suit or your
shoes Dear me, how childish! l have
heard that you could afford to dlsre-
gard trifes. 1 wasn't to blame. You
needn't have 'trailed' me-"
Allston regarded her in silence.
There was more than a hint or dis
appointment in Isabels tone. Had she
been preiudiced in his favor only 10
react sharply at his boyish outburst!
Surely some humor lay In the sltua
ton. Couldn't the girl sec it? He re
Aected dismally that many women
never forgive sighting remarks, even
when uttered in unmeanlng careless
ness.
, The cool voice went On.
81 suppose they told you at the house
that was over this wayT'
Foster nodded.
Y "And you never imagined l might p'
2 In this shedT'
= A head shake.
"You must have had me very mucl
: on YOUR mind. Were l big man seek
Y ing q lost damsel my Idea would be t
keep my eyes open for the shelters t
which she would sensibly run, not los'
NV wits In selfish consideration OF raj
mert and then anathematize the lady.
She laughed cuttingly.
Allston's countenance was redden1ng
"Why don't you speak?" The uplif
b of 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
have of-of"- He paused, hesitating.
- "What chance?' Her eyes opene
wide at his seeming audacity.
"Of catching the 6 o'clock train. IL
getting late"
"Ohw Isabel looked down, then W
A strange darkness was settling DO"
upon the earth. Both had forgotte
the storm, now grumbling back 1rol
the south. The man stepped out IN U
rain. In q moment he returned. III
face was set in hard, worried lines
You'll put on my coat, and Wen g'
into the open," said he decidedly.