Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-06-28

ward the main road.
"See here" he said sternly as he
stepped forward beside her: you must
let me take that bag"
81 shall not! don't need your
she began bravefy enough, but the
Cherub had already lifted it from her
numbed fingers.
II know you don't" he said. but
I've got the bag"
A low grumble Of distant thunder
caused the countess to slacken her
pace.
"There!' he exclaimed reproachfully.
"It's going to rain. you see. Did you
hear that?"
Eyes, l heard"
"But where are you going?"
The countess stopped abruptly and
turned to say: II think ! told you. Mr..
Devine. that I did not care to discuss
my plans with you at all. VIII you
give me my bag?"
NO" said the Cherub. Il shall lug
it myself. and I shall follow you until
l see you safe somewhere"
With a gesture Of impatience the
countess resumed her way.
A brisk breeze sprang up somewhere.
The treetops began to rock and sway
like drunken men. Several sharp
crashes Of thunder came In quick sue
cession. and the bare highway emerg-
ed for an instant from indistinct gloom
as the lightning revealed every detail.
Then there came a hush. Big drops
Of rain fell with menacing impact on
the crown Of the Cherub's opera hat.
There! told you 1t was going to
rain" he announced. Hold on. now:
I'm going to put this coat on you."
The countess hesitated. He had
dropped the bag and was holding up
the coat by the collar. Another and
more vivid fash than any which had
preceded it revealed him with photo
graphic distinctness. She could not
help noting that he looked very well
in evening dress. He did not seem so
much inclined to stoutness as in a
business suit.
"No; you need the coat yourself.
Youth be wet through In moment"
The big drops struck through her thin
silk sleeves coldly on her arms.
Then she allowed him to help her
into the raincoat.
Come on" he said. picking up the
bag and starting ahead. The rain was
now drumming a roaring tattoo on the
crown Of his hat.
You must take my arm or you'll
fall.' ordered the Cherub Meekly she
obeyed. and they went plunging and
sliding through the Storm
"Oh. you're being drenched!" said
the countess. Apparently he did not
hear. "You are wet through. aren't
you?" she shouted in his ear.
mot quite" he answered calmly.
Come on"
There snsued period during which
they stumbled and slid along in 81
lence. At last they discovered several
houses near the road.
Were getting into the village" an
nounced the Cherub Isn't that where
we want to go?"
"Yes." said the countess. II suppose
So"
"But where? Whereabouts in the
1.-The railroad station"
1.-THE railroad station!" The Cherub
echoed this as If he had never heard
the words before. What do you want
to go there for?''
Because l am going away" said
the countess YEARLY. I'm going
away"
Five minutes later. when they reach
ed the station. he saw With Joy that
it was one of those low. wide rooted
affairs. under whose caves they could
at least find shelter from the pelting
rain.
The station was dark. and all the
doors were locked. Of course. but there
was baggage truck. He dropped the
suit case with sigh of relief and
gently helped the countess to seat
on the baggage truck.
"Well. this is something like. isn't
It? Great, eh?" he demanded. At
every step his shoes made slushing
sound.
.'Your feet must be terribly wet"
suggested the countess.
wet! Oh. they're not 80 very wet.
I felt fine after that walk. don't your"
'I-Tm rather tired"
"Yes. probably you are. But now
you can rest. You can rest while we
are waiting for the train. you know.
What time do we get train anyway
There's one ut half past Z In the
"Yes; that's the first one"
The Cherub took out his watch and
tried to see the face of it. but there
was not light enough.
Look here" he said. leaning against
the truck and peering at the countess
'You don't mean to stay
here until halt past I. do you7"