The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-21

She resumed her seat in the window with her palm
leaf fan and promptly dismissed the subject of Mr..
Elton from her mind. She quite sincere in the
opinion she had expressed 10, her sister and she Was
amused at Mrs Hewlett's specniations. "If;
was to tell Minnie that. wouldn't she be mad" she
thought
Presently she heard Minnie and the old man come
in from the garden, and after the three young
from the mill came in awkwardly and took their
places at the table their hair damp from recent brush
ing and their faces shiny from conscientious ablutons
They shot occasional awed glance at Minnie they
ate, but they addressed her. In fact she en-
barrassed them terribly much in the way affable
angel might an humble family by suddenly appearing
their board and by his very radiance confirming the
nn,easurable distance between himself and them.
Minnie and her mother the end of the table
with Mrs Hewlett. Besides Mrs. Hewlett Elton's
empty chair. HE must be working late tonight.
It's funny what's keeping him. she complained to
Mrs Derning and Minnie. Il never knew him to be
as late this
"Oh, 1 guess he'll be along presently" said Mrs.
Deming.
Minnie offered neither consolation nor comment.
She went steadily with her supper though she was
aware of certain anxious bewilderment that sur
prsed her. 1T does strange and last night
here, too" she told herself in excuse of it
Presently she went out and joined Father Hewlett
the porch at the front of the house The
old had had his supper the kitchen table and
had out here with his pipe. The girl sat beside
him and he admired the touch of crimson at her throat
Guess the gardenl miss We tomorrow he ventured.
She smiled absently at HMM truth she occu-
pied in endeavoring to explain her unwonted
emotions concerning Elton and she annoyed with
herself to find it necessary.
She had idea that she had become interested in
the young man. She liked him-his kindness, his
strength, his evident desire to please her. They had
become good comrades in the little while she had
hs<n Of had
occurred between them, of the slightest,
even though for the last week she had been subty
aware of a vague, intangible undercurrent in their
companionshp that fascinated while it startled her.
When they had parted the night before, his hand
clasp the last look he had given her. seemed to con-
vey than mere frendliness and despite herself
her heart had leaped to answer it.
"Well, l must have been mistaken, she told herself
merciessly. "Mr. Elton good to and took
me around just he would have taken any other
girl that happened to be here. I've been fool to
think anything about him at all, to fatter myself
that he would rush home tonight because he wanted
to be with He probably don't know care
whether we're going home tomorrow not, and it
right. shnt think of him again, if live
to be hundred.
One of the tabe-boarders who lodged in the next
house. where Mr.. Elton also had room, appeared on
his steps with a banjo and without warning
burst into melody. Mrs. Hewlett and Mrs Deming
from behind the mosquto-nengs in the little paror
Presidently Mrs. Hewlett appeared at the door
ed" she said to the young Jim Elton hasn't
in yet-there's nothing wrong at the works, is
there?"
Nothing as far as know he replied and resumed
his interrupted melody
A sudden thought made the girl start to her feet
No. there was nothing wrong at the works; Jim
aS oy at
had (horrible thoughtD pursued him. This prear-
ranged absence simply to give her vanity lesson
she took hold Of her fine courage with both hands
though the idea with every moments passing seemed
this she told herself ao e
stay he hkes-its nothing to me, one way or the
other"
She went into the parlor in few minutes with her
head high. Il guess I'll go up and finish packing
she said to Mrs. Dening, and then go. to bed-we
have to start early for the eightocioek tra'n you
Mrs. Demine came painting up the stairs and sat
"!n the lands name, don't work 50 hard!" she said
finally You're going at that trunk as though you
Well theren be person here that's going te
that's Father Hewlett It's tickled him death tc
have fussng around those flowers of his as though
you'd never seen one before. En- don't seem to have
much sympathy with him"
Sympathy her daughter repeated 'If you ask
me, mother, | think she's downright mean to him
poor old man! l only wish he was coming home with
u.s.
Suddenly her face worked and she burst into stormy
tears above the skirt she folding. She's down
right mean to himw she sobbed passionatey
why, what on earth is the matter with your" said
Mrs. Den,ng. She drew Minnie close in her motherly
taking so about Father Hewlett. EN- looks afte,
him though he baby. You needn't wosr,
that he isn't comfortable Why, the idea 7"
Her daughter averted her face.
Il guess this heat has made you nervous I'll b
glad when We re home" said Mrs. Dening-
For some time after she in bed Minnie heard
himself Presently she heard him go in and shut the
door.
Early as It was when her mother and herself came
down the next morning. the young from the mil
had eaten and gone .He:r nav