The Tupelo journal., 1909-04-02
"The Easter lady?"


me, Miss Drummond, although l con-
fess / never saw you until to-day
said Valdean, slowly. Last Easter l
CHANGED to be at st. Marks church in
the city, and there heard you sing
for the first time. / know it was you,
for / could not be mistaken in the
voice. | did not see you. nor was
able to find out who you were or where
you lived, but your voice has haunted
me for 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, MOI" she cried: mot that way.
Keep straight on. Mrs. Camperdown
lives"
Mrs. Camperdown can wait" said
Valdean firmly as the car shot into
the new road at an increased rate OF
speed. Il am not ready to take you
to Mrs. Camperdown yet. l 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 halle
pected an outburst of expostulation,
but he did not turn his head.
"Am l being kidnapped" she asked
| at last; and the humorous note in her
voice assured him that his bold move
was being condoned.
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
me. l hope il is not asking too much
of you"
ooh, / shall be delighted. And we
can dine at the Red Eagle inn, which
is directly on the way. and still get
home before nightfall."
The ice was broken; it was aston
ishing how quickly these young peo-
pie arrived at mutual and cordial
understanding. By the time the Red
Eagle inn doomed up before them they
were chatting as gaily and unreserved-
ly as if they had known each other for
years. They dined cozily and happily
at the inn, consuming much more time
than was necessary in the perform
ance, and then taking their places in
the car once more, they resumed their
journey toward the city.
Il was sure something portentous
would happen to-day" said Valdean,
enthusiastically, as they bowled along
the highway.
And has anything portentous hap
pened?" asked Miss Drummond, Curl
ously
Surely. Nothing could be more
significant than this chance meeting
between you and me-
"But-does it portend anything"
ITO me it does. It holds beautiful
promise. 1t is the fate of the Val
deans Listen, Miss Drummond," and
the young man became very serious
Easter is strangely mixed up with
the destinies of the Valdeahs. My
father met my mother for the first
time on Easter day. My grandfather
and grandmother first knew of each
others existence on an Easter morn.
ing and they were married the same
evening. 1t was the tricksy spirit OF
that festival that brought my great
grandparents together nearly hun
dred years ago. AS far back as the
record goes the members of my family
have all met their affinities at Easter
time. Will you contend, Miss Drum
-Margaret-that our meeting
to-day has no meaning for the future?'
She gave him a quick, frightened
look. Then the warm color streamed
into her face and neck, and her eyes
dropped.
might it not mean," he continued
with desperate earnestness, that we
are both controlled by the same fate
that rules in the Valdean family.
Might it not mean that you and +"
Nonsense" interrupted the girl
but her voice was very faint and trem
ulous.
will you let me hope, Margaret?'
he whispered again.
She slowly shook her head. eve
have known each other so short 9
time" she protested.
1--WE have known each other FOL
five hours" said Valdean, looking a
his watch. What does it matter? Il
is fate. At least, tell me that may
hope"
She was silent a long time; but a
last she sighed softly and lifted hel
eyes trustfully to his.
Eyes. IL think you may hope
Richard"