Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-12-05
CHAPTER vlI.7(continued.)

Dy Nat Iney become lIleHu9'
CHAPTER VII.1(continued9
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, is that
you, Mr.. Pepper? Well, Pm 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"
Hunt Er-er-Laviny, she's gone
over to Thankful Payne's. She heard
that Thankful's 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, I'D like to have you come in
fust rate, but--er-Laviny she's got
the key. She-she- Oh, consarn 1t
all, Mr.. Ellery, she's locked me in this
room a-purpose, SOS l won't get out
and go somewheres without her know
in It.
"She done 1t a-purpose," continued
Ryan, in a 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 IL one Of
'em come. And-and after dinner to-
day she sent me in here for somethin'
and then slammed the door on me,
Said she cal'lated I'd stay put till she
got back from Thankful's. She knew
mighty well l couldn't get out of the
window, cause 1t won't open no
Turther'n It's now. l want never so
provoked in my life 'Taln't no way to
treat your own brother, lockin' him up
like a young ope; now, is it?"
Il don't know. You're of age, Mr.,
Pepper, and you must decide for your
self. think should declare my indie
pendence. Really, must go. L"
Stop your foolishness! Oh!-I-I
ask your pardon, Mr.. Ellery. That
amt no way to talk to a minister. But
Pm goin' to go out when | want to II
" bust hole through the clapboards.
! amt fascinatin'. You ask any wom-
an-except her-if be, and see what
they say. Whatll l do?"
"Ha, ha! don't know, I'm sure You
might lock her up, I suppose, Just for
a change"
"Hey!" There was sound from be-
hind the pane as if the imprisoned one
had slapped his knee. "By gum!
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.. FL.
lery, 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 un.
blushingly said had been taking nap.
Abishai did not contradict her; in
stead, he merely looked apprehensive-
ly at the minister.
The call was a short one. Lavinia
did seven-eighths Of the talking and
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 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
raised. When, after the meal was
over, Captain Elkanah excused himself
and went upstairs for his Sabbath nap
the embarrassment redoubled. Miss
Annabel spoke very confidentially Of
her loneliness Without "congeIial 80
.iety." of how vary much she did en-