Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-08-29

zone. Come into the sitting room,
hight lamp. and let's talk it over"
The lamp was found and lighted at
last. It's radiance frightened the dingy
hitting room. The sound Of wheels
was heard In the lane by the front
Kate. A vehicle stopped. Then some
pne called a hurried good night. Mr..
Peppers fear returned.
It's herr" he cried. She's been
ahuntin' for me. Now I'll get it! You
stand by me, Mr. Ellery. You got to.
Tou said you would. But how on earth
did she get out
His sister appeared on the 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!" 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,"
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.
dnued.
"You know. 'Bishy." she said,
Thankful Payne's Cousins home avis.
tim her. He come about that cousins
will-the other cousin that's just died.
He's real nice man-her live cousin
ds-keeps shoe store up to Sandwich,
and I 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 wouldn't like to
go to ride next Sunday afternoon
that's today. And ride bein' a good
deal of 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
me come round with his horse and
team about hat past three and we
started. But I'd no idee twas so late
F-1-meant to tell you was goin'
'Bish. but l forgot"
I'm 80 sorry kept you waitin' sup.
per" gushed Lavinia. "I'll get you a
good one now. Oh, well, deary me!
must be gettin' absent-minded. 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 l come to not get.
tin out at all. Just afore Mr.. Payne
come, was in that spare room ard
you remember put spring lock on
that door? Well, when / was in there
this afternoon the wind blew the
door shut, the lock clicked, and there
was. II hadn't had the other key
In my pocket don't knows wouldn't
have been in there yet. That would
have been pretty mess, wouldn't it!
He! he! he!"
The Reverend John did not answer
He could not trust himself to speak
Just then. When he did it was to an
bounce 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 1t with enthusiasm.
Want It finef" he whispered. Talk
1bout your mtaclesl Godfrsya
ashty! Coy, M. Mbsay, don't you
tsr ten . soul how q reilly MnA WIN
Jent.