The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1909-01-27
IMPRESSING
ISABEL.
BY ELLIOT WALKER.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

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 a steady drib-
BILE from the leaky roof, and her thin
dress was fast dampening in the mist
driven shelter.
She forced laugh. Isabel Lynn was
net 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 q 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
mails. The near mountains might hold
anything. She covered into the far
thest corner. Surely the thing would
go by.
But It didn't. 1t dashed under the
shed, with loud snort, blowing and
shaking vigorously, then stood gazing
at the storm, and words came to Isa-
bells Mortified ears In steady stream
Of Disguised wrath.
"Well, II this doesn't beat me! Look
at my shoes! Look at my new flannel
suit! My hat is ruinedl The next time
/ go trailing around on the trail of a
girl Ill know it. Foster Allston, you're
an unmitigated ass. guess the charm
ing Miss Lynn will not have the pleas
ure Of meeting you! Girls! Bah! I'll
take the first train home. wish I'd
never heard of her"
A"So do IT, sounded voice in his rear.
The man jumped and wheeled. He
saw a slender, white gowned figure
straighten up, take a forward step and
then halt A clap of thunder drowned
his exclamation. Then his jaw fell.
DtDid you speak, STRIP Indignantly.
FL tried to. Really, IL am over
joyed toto be here, Miss Lynn. or
course you are-yOu-that is-bless my
soul! So unexpected, you know. Quite
a shower"
He cut a ridiculous figure In his star
ing embarrassment, pulling or 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 a hesitating toe In the
dirt, smiling idiotically. Was II for this
his fifty mile journey?
'Tsabel 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 go ahead.
She Is worth 1t. 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
bright with i'll concealed desire to hum
BILE. 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
veyed him curiously, with chilling
hauteur, which stung him to steadi-
ness and a reckless impulse to retort.
'TWhen one summers at a farmhouse
and takes long strolls an occasional
he
ston," said Isabel evenly. "You
shouldn't mind your new suit or your
shoes. Dear me, how childishl / have
heard that you could afford to disre-
gard TRIES. 1 wasn't to blame. You
needn't have 'trailed' me-"
Allston regarded her in silence.
There was more than hint Of dis
appointment in Isabels tone. Had she
been prejudiced In his favor only to
react sharply at his boyish outburst?
Surely some humor lay In the situa-
ton. Couldn't the girl see 1t? He re-
hected dismally that many women
never forgive sighting remarks, even
when uttered In unmeanlng careless
ness.
4 line COOL NOlCt went On.
81 suppose they told you at the house |
that was over this way"
p Foster nodded.
Sand you never imagined might be
In this shed?"
A head shake.
r "You must have had me very much
on your mind. Were big man seek
ing lost damsel my idea would be to
keep my eyes open for the shelters to
which she would sensibly rum not lose
my wits In selfish consideration Of raj.
ment and then anathematlze the lady"
She laughed cuttingly.
/, AllstonS countenance was reddening. /
y s'Why don't You speak" The uplift
of her chin was a challenge for his re-
ply. She would laugh and forgive him
after sufficient reduction.
s'Pm thinking" said Allston slowly.
'I'm trying to make out what chance
have of-of"-- he paused, hesitating.
/. ''What chance" Her eyes opened
wide at his seeming audacity.