Lower coast gazette., 1909-04-03
1.-THE Easter lady"

You are uOl WAOlly uhhho"u ~
me, Miss Drummond, although l con-
fess | V saw you until today"
said Valdean, slowly. Last Easter
CHANGED to be at st. Marks church in
the city, and there | heard you sing
for the first time. l know 1t was you,
for l could not be mistaken IN the
voice. | did not see you. no was
able to find out who you were or where
you lived. but your voice has haunted
lie for a whole year. In my thoughts,
in my dreams, you have been known
to me only as the Easter lady; but
now-at last
He checked himself, and deliberate
ly began to turn the vehicle into a
cross-road leading at right angles from
the one they were following. The girl
| quickly laid a small gloved hand on
his arm.
mo, no." she cried: mot that way.
Keep straight on. Mrs. C~amperdown
lives
Mrs. Camperdown a walt said
Valdean firmly as the car shot into
the new road at an increased rate OF
speed. 81 am not ready to take you
to Mrs. Camperdown yet. have
waited a whole year for this oppor
tunity; do you think l am going to
turn you over to Mrs. Camperdown
so soon?"
Miss Drummond sank helplessly
back in her seat. He knew she was
staring fixedly at him, and he half.ex'
pected an outburst Of expostulatlon,
but he did not turn his head.
Am 1 being Kidnapped" she asked
! at last; and the humorous note in her
voice assured him that his bold move
was being condcned.
Valdean's face frightened with q
quick CLEAN Of excited pleasure.
Then you will let me drive you to
town.
: Indeed it will be a great favor to
I me. l hope II is not asking too mucn
of you"
!, ooh, I shall be delighted. And VIC
q can dine at the Red Eagle inn, whlcf
is directly on the way, and still ge'
q home before nightfall."
o The ice was broken; it was aston
ishing how quickly these young PEG
, ple arrived at a mutual and cordla
understanding. BY the time the Re'
Eagle inn doomed up before them the
. were chatting as gaily and unreserveo
ly as if they had known each other TO
years. They dined cozily and happll
at the inn, consuming much more tim
at than was necessary in the perform
It. ance, and then taking their places
TX the car once more, they resumed the
Journey toward the city.
81 was sure something portentou
is would happen to-day" said Valdea'
enthusiastically, as they bowled alon
at the highway.
de "And has anything %portentous ha
H. pened?" asked Miss Drummond, cul
m ously.
Surely. Nothing could be mo-
1t significant than this chance meeti1
1T, between you and me-"
"But-does it portend anything"
'if ITO me it does. 1t holds a beautif
! promise. It is the fate of the Vi
deans. Listen, Miss Drummond," al
lrl. the young man became very seriol
m, easter is strangely mixed up wi
the destinies of the Valdeans. \
mt father met my mother for the fl!
,ou time on Easter day. My grandfath
and grandmother first knew of ca
,he others existence on an Easter mo.
ing and they were married the sa1
,oh evening. 1t was the tricksy spirit
DO. that festival that brought my gre
grandparents together nearly a b
dred years ago. AS far back as
~ record goes the members of my fam
have all met their af1nities at Eas
time. Will you contend, Miss DR.,
49,. neutrality-suspicious. our meet
to-day has no meaning for the futur
,o,o She gave him a quick, frighte1
III. look. Then the warm color stream
!, into her face and neck, and her e
dropped.
anu Might 1t not mean," he contin
with desperate earnestness, chat
III are both controlled by the same
her that rules in the Valdean fami
ON Might it not mean that you and l.
'nis "Nonsense!" interrupted the
am but her voice was very faint and TT
Ano ulous.
own will you let me hope, Margar'
anu he whispered again.
uon' She slowly shook her head.
mo- have known each other so shol
you time" she protested.
!: 1--WE have known each other
e re- five hours" said Valdean, LOOKING
his watch. What does it matter
is fate. At least, tell me that I
ow- hope"
aria, She was silent a long time; b,
was last she sighed softly and lifted
md eyes trustfully to his.
come Eyes, IL think you may no
Richard"