The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-11-29
hole and threw the door open The lit

hole and threw the door open. The lit
tie room was almost as dark as the
hall and quite as still. There was a
distinct smell Of old clothes and cam
phor. The minister was going after a
match, and said so. In a moment he
returned with several One of these
he lit. The birthstone sputtered, burned
blue and fragrant, then burst into q
yellow fame.
The little room was empty.
John Ellery drew a breath relief.
Then he laughed.
'Humph!" he exclaimed. shes
gone. Come into the sitting room,
light lamp, and let's talk it over"
The lamp was found and lighted at
last. It's radiance frightened the dingy
sitting room. The sound of wheels
was heard in the lane by the front
gate. A vehicle stopped. Then some
one called hurried good night. Mr..
Peppers fear returned.
Its her!" he cried. She's been
ahuntin' for me- Now I'll get it! You
stand by me, Mr. Ellery. You got to.
You said you would. But how on earth
did she get out"
His sister appeared on II threshold.
She was dressed in her Sunday best,
lowered poke bonnet, mitts, imitation
India shawl, rustling black bombazine
gown. She looked at Mr.. Pepper, then
at the minister.
20 Mr.. Ellery!" are exclaimed, "be
you here?"
The Reverend JOHN admitted his
presence. Miss Peppers demeanor
surprised him. She did not seem
angry; indeed, she acted embarrassed
and confused, as if she, and not her
brother, were the guilty party.
'I'm awfully sorry, Mr.. Ellery,"
gushed Lavinia, removing the bonnet.
"You see, was invited out to ride
this afternoon and-and-I went"
She glanced at her brother, red
dened-yes, almost blushed-and con
tinued
"You know, 'Bishy," she said,
Thankful Payne's cousins home avis
itin her. He come about that cousins
will-the other cousin that's just died.
He's real nice man-her live cousin
is-keeps shoe store up to Sandwich,
and | used to know him years ago.
When | was over to Thankful's t'otheP
day, him and me had gu. talk. We
got speakin' Of what nice es there
was around Trumet and-and-er-
well, he asked me if l wouldn't like to
RI ri
that's today. And a ride bein' good
deal of a treat to me, | said | would.
Thankful was goin' too, but-er-er--
she couldn't very well. So Caleb
that's his name, you remember 'Bishy
he come round with his horse and
team about hat past three and we
started. But I'd no idee twas SO late.
I-I-meant to tell you 1 was goin'
Dish, but I forgot.
I'm so sorry kept you waitin' sup
per-" gushed Lavinia <I'lI get you a
good one now. Oh, well, deary me!
must be gettin' absent-minded. I amt
asked you where you've been all the
afternoon"
Abishai's eyes turned beseechingly
toward his promised hacker. Ellery
could not resist that mute appeal.
your brother has been with me for
some time, Miss Pepper" he volun-
teered.
ooh, has he? Amt that nice! He
couldn't have been In better comp'ny,
I'm sure. But, oh, say, 'Bishy! | amt
told you how nigh I come to not get
tin; out at all. Just afore Mr.. Payne
come, | was in that spare room and
you remember I put a spring lock on
that door? Well, when l was in there
this afternoon the wind blew the
door shut, the lock clicked, and there
1 was II I hadn't had the other key
in my pocket l don't knows | wouldn't
have been in there yet. That would
have been a pretty mess, wouldn't it,
He! he! hei"
The Reverend John did not answer
He could not trust himself to speak
Just then. When he did it was to an
nounce that he must be getting toward
home. No, he couldn't stay for sup
per.
Miss Pepper went into the kitchen,
and Abishai saw the visitor to the
door. Ellery extended his hand and
Ryan shook it with enthusiasm.
(TO BE CONTINUED)