Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1909-01-01
IMPRESSING
ISABEL.
BY ELLIOT WALKER.

girl peered helpleSsly from the anti
quated shed, shuddering Mt 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 it's alder lined
banks.
Upon her wide hat fell steady drib-
bic from the leaky roof and her thin
dress was fast dampening in the mist
driven shelter.
She forced a laugh. Isabel Lynn was
not easily daunted. OF course 1t 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 at the corner of
her retreat. Through Isabel's 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 a loud snort, blowing and
shaking vigorously, then stood gazing
at the storm, and words came to Isa-
bells Mortified ears in a steady stream
of Disguised 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
1 go trailing around on the trail Of a
girl I'll know it. Foster Allston, you're
an unmitigared 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. I wish I'd
never heard of her."
80 do ~ sounded voice in his rear.
The man jumped and wheeled. He
saw 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.
81 tried to. Really, II 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 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 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 go
crazy over 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 scoEnful 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
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 reckless impulse to retort.
when one summers at 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! l have
heard that you could afford to disre-
gard trlfies / 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 preiudiced in his favor only to
react sharply at his boyish outburst?
Surely some humor lay in the situa-
ton. Couldn't the girl see it? He re-
Elected dismally that many women
never forgive sighting remarks, even
when uttered in unmeaning careless
ness.
The cool voice went on.
Il suppose they told you at the house
that was over this wayT'
Foster nodded.
And you never imagined l might be
In this shed?"
A head shake.
"You must have had me very much
on your mind. Were / a big man seek
Ing lost damsel my idea would be 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 anathematize the lady"
She laughed cuttingly.