The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-11-29
CHAPTER VI-(Continued.)

CHAPTER Vi-(Continued}
Sure enough; one Of the windows
on this side of the house was raised
about six inches at the bottom, the
shade was up, and peering beneath the
sash the minister discerned the eX-
pressive features Of Abishai Pepper
or as much Of those features as the
size Of the opening permitted to be
seen.
"Oh!" exclaimed the visitor, lis that
you, Mr. Pepper? Well, I'm glad to
see you, at last. You are rather hard
to see, even now"
'Er-er-come to call, did you?"
why, yes, that was my intention"
Hum! Er-er-Laviny, she's gone
over to Thankful Payne's. She heard
that Thankfuls cousin up to Middle
boro had died-passed away, | mean
and she thought she'd run over and
find out IL Thankful was willed any
thing. She said she'd be back pretty
soon"
Very well. Then, as she won't be
gone long, perhaps I'll come in and
wait"
''You see, Mr. Ellery," stammered
Ryan, It'd like to have you come in
fust rate, but-er-Laviny she's got
the key She-she- Oh, consarn it
all, Mr.. Ellery, she's locked me in this
room a-purpose, SOS / won't get out
and go somewheres without her know
in It.
"She done it a-purpose," continued
Ryan, in burst of confidence. She
had me put one OF them new-fangled
spring locks on the door Of this room
t'other day cause she said she was
afraid Of tramps and wanted some
place to shut herself up In if one of
'em come. And-and after dinner to-
day she sent me in here for somesh1n'
and then slammed the door on me.
Said she cal'lated I'd stay put till she
got back from Thankfuls. She knew
mighty we'll l couldn't get out of the
window, cause 1t won't open no
further'n it's now. l want never 50
provoked in my life. 'Tain't no way to
treat your own brother, lockin' him up
like a young one; now, is it?"
81 don't know. You're of age, Mr..
Pepper, and you must decide for your
self. think I should declare my indie
pendence Really, I must go. I"
stop your foolishness! Oh!-II
ask your pardon, Mr.. Ellery. That
amt no way to talk to a minister But
I'm goin to go out when l want 20 IL
] bust hole through the clapboards.
! amt fascinatin' You ask any wom-
an-except her-if l be, and see what
they say. What'l | do?"
"Ha. ha! | don't know, I'm sure. You
might lock her up, suppose, Just for
q change"
"Heyi" There was a sound from be-
hind the pane as If the imprisoned one
had slapped his knee. ''By gum! I
never thought of that Would you
now, Mr. Ellery? Would you? Sshh!
sshh! somebody's comm. Maybe it's
her Run around to the door, Mr.. Ell
1ery, quick. And don't tell her I've
seen you. for mercy sakes! Don't
now, will ye? Please. Rum"
The minister did not run, but he
walked briskly around the corner.
Sure enough, Lavinia was there, just
unlocking the door She expressed her
self as very glad to see the caller,
ushered him into the sitting room and
disappeared, returning in another mo-
ment with her brother, whom she I'M
blushingly said had been taking a nap.
Abishai did not contradict her; in
stead, he merely looked apprehensive-
" at the minister.
The call was a short one. Lavinia
ain oF +h-a &oJly
Ellery the rest. Ryan was silent.
He told no one Of Kyan's conf
Dental disclosure, and, after some
speculation as to whether or not there
might be a sequel, put the whole lu-
dicrous affair out of his mind. A week
from the following Sunday he dined in
state at the Daniels table. Captain
Elkanah was gracious and condescend-
ing Annabel was more than that.
She was dressed in her newest gown
and was so very gushing and affable
that the minister felt rather embar-
rassed When, after the meal was
over, Captain Elkanah excused himself
and went upstairs for his Sabbath nap,
the embarrassment redoubled. Miss
Annabel spoke very conf1dentially of
her loneliness without "congenial So
ctety," of how very much she did en-
Joy Mr. Ellery's intellectual sermons,
and especially what treat it had been
TO have him as guest
He left the big house as soon as he
could without giving offense, and
started back toward the parsonage.
But the afternoon was so fine and the
early summer air so delightful that
he changed his mind and, jumping the
fence at the foot Of Cannon Hill, set
off across the fields toward the bluffs
and the bay shore.
The sun was low in the west as he
entered the grove Of pines on the bluff.
The red light between the boughs
made brilliant carpet patterns on the