Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-20
EXPRESSING ISABEL. By ELLIOT WALKER.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
 Literary Press.

I
 
 '1'm sure I don't know how I am 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 Hash 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- ble from the leaky roof, and her thin dress was fast dampening in the mist driven shelter
 She forced laugh Isabel Lynn was not easily daunted. Of course it 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 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 Isabels startled brain tore thoughts of dangerous ami mals. The near mountains might hold anything. She covered into the far Ehest corner Surely the thing would go by.
 But it didn't It dashed under the shed, with loud snort, blowing and shaking vigorously, then stood gazing at the storm. and words came to Isa- bers mortified ears in a steady stream of disgusted wrath.
 'Well if this doesn't beat me! Look at my shoes. Look at my new flannel suit! My hat is ruined! The next time | go trailing around on the trail of 8 girl I'll know it. Foster Allston. you're an unmitigated ass l guess the charm Ing Miss Lynn will not have the pleas are of meeting you. Girls. Bah! I'll take the first train home. I wish I'd never heard of her
 s"So do r" sounded voice in his rear.
 The man jumped and wheeled. He saw a slender. white gowned figure etraighten up, take forward step and , then halt. A clap of thunder drowned his exclamation. Then his jaw fell. N~'Did you speak, sir?' indignantly, / "I-I tried to. Really. IT am over Hoyed toto be here, Miss Lynn. Of course you are-yCu-that is-hless my soul! So unexpected, you know. Quite o chouor"
 He cut ridiculous figure in his star Ing embarrassment. pulling off the wrecked straw hat. lowing 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 model of courtesy and easy manners.
 He scraped a 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 so crazy over photograph. but go ahead. lShe 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 1n scornful amusement. Her eyes were bright with i'll concealed desire to hum ble. The dampness had curled her dis ordered hair iD bewitching rings about her white forehead Roses shone in the smooth cheeks where sarcastic dimples played.
 Allston thought he had never seer a able. Idly swinging her hat, she sur weyed him curiously, with a chilling lhauteur, which stung him to steadi' ness and a reckless impulse to retort.
 When one summers at farmhouse hnd takes long strolls an occasional .wetting must he expected, Mir. All iston." 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 disre- Igard 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 to react sharply at his boyish outburst?
 Surely some humor lay in the situa- nion Couldn't the girl see ki He re- lnected dismally. that many women never forgive sighting remarks, even when uttered in unmeaning careless mess.
 The cool voice went on.
 ] "I suppose they told you at the house nAat I was over this way?'
 kIeeter nodded. =