Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-04-08

IL sup its
To the Cherub's urgent e~ntreaties
she paid not the slightest heed.
She grasped the suit case and
marched past him with as much dig
nifty as it was possible to assume with
a heavy weight dragging down one
arm. At the door she made a deter
mined attack on the bolts. Stupidity
the Cherub watched her as she tugged
away vainly.
"You had better wait until morn
ing. hadn't your" be suggested.
To this she made no reply. but
showed and pulled at the stubborn
bolts until she vas forced to give UP.
Then. just as he had thought her
beaten. she went promptly to one of
the French windows in a front room.
turned the catch and stepped out on
the yeranda. Mr.. Devine followed.
II do not wish for your company.
Mr.. Devine."
81 suppose you don't. but I'm going
just the same. I'll get my cat and
hat"
AS he ran back into the hall he
heard the countess leave the veranda
Snatching up an opera hat and a rain
coat. he hurried out through the win
dow after her. She was easily over
taken, for the suit case acted as a
brake.
you'd better let me carry your
bag" he said as he overlook her. but
the offer was ignored, and the repulsed
Cheub fell back a pace. Thus they
started down the narrow graveled
path which wound a l~eisurely course
in and out among the shrnbbery to-
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 bravely enough. but the
Cherub had already lifted it from her
numbed fingers.
81 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
ITS going to rain. you see. Did you
hear thatY"
Yes, | heard"
"But where are you going?"
The countess stopped abruptly and
turned to say: 81 think | told you. Mr.
Devine. that l did not care to discuss
my plans with you at all. Will you
give me my bag?"
NO." said the Cherub. II shall lug
1t myself. and | shall follow you until
l see you safe somewhere"
With a gesture of Impotence the
countess resumed her way.
A brisk breeze sprang up somewhere
The treetops began to rock and sway
like drunken e Several sharp
crashes of thunder came in quick sue
cession. and the bare highway emerg
ed for an instant from indistinct gloom
;-spAle 1et2A.
Then there came a hush. Big drops
Of rain fell with menacing impact OF
the crown of the Cherub's opera hat.
There! | told you it was going tC
rain" he announced. Hold on. now
Pm going to put this coat on you."
The countess hesitated. He had
dropped the bag and was holding VI
the coat by the collar. Another and
more vivid flash than any which had
preceded it revealed him with photo
graphic distinctness. She could moi
help noting that he looked very wei
In evening dress. He did not seem sc
much inclined to stoutness as In a
business suit.
mo; you need the coat yourself.
You'll be wet through In a 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" be 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? 2" she shouted in his ear.
Not quite" he answered calmly.
Come on"
There ensued a period during which
they stumbled and slid along in 81
lence. At last they discovered several
houses near the road.
We're getting into the village" an
nounced the Cherub. Isn't hat where
we want to go?"
YES" said the countess. II suppose
So"
but where? Whereabouts in the
village?"
"The railroad station
'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 1 am going away" said
the countess YEARLY. I'm going
--.o-