Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-12-10

| 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 a
yellow flame
The little room was empty.
John Ellery drew breath relief.
Then he laughed
"Humphi" he exclaimed. "She's
gone. Come into the sitting room,
light lamp, and let's talk it over"
The lamp was found and lighted az
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.
It's 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 the threshold.
She was dressed in her Sunday best,
| Powered poke bonnet, mitts, imitation
India shawl, rustling black bombazine
gown. She looked at Mr.. Pepper, then
at the minister
20 Mr.. Ellery!" she 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, 1"
gushed Lavinia, removing the bonnet.
you see, l 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. lie 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'other
day, him and me had quite a talk. We
got speakin' of what nice drives there
was around Trumet and-and--er-
well, he asked me if l wouldn't like to
| go to ride next Sunday afternoon
that's today. And ride bein' good
| deal of treat to me, I 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 hal past three and we
started. But I'd no idee twas so late.
-I-meant to tell you 1 was goin'
'Bish, but forgot.
I'm so sorry kept you waitin' sup
| per-" gushed Lavinia. 'I'll get you
good one now. Oh, well, deary me!
must be gettin' absent-minded. l amt
asked you where you've been all the
afternoon"
Abishais 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
"Oh, has he? Amt that nie-l He
couldn't have been in better comp'ny,
I'm sure. But, oh, say, 'Bishy! l amt
told you how nigh l 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 / was In there
this afternoon the wind blew the
door shut, the lock clicked, and there
I was. If 1 hadn't had the other key
in my pocket don't knows wouldn't
have been in there yet That would
have been a pretty mess, wouldn't it,
He! he! he!"'
The Reverend John did not al swer
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 coulGu'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.
CTO BE CONTINUED)