Western Kansas world., 1912-12-28


hair on her forehead
He had taken but few steps when.
there was a rustic In the wet grass
behind him.
Mr. Ellery." whispered a voice.
MR. Ellery. may I speak to you just
a moment?''
He wheeled in surprise
-whyi why. Miss Van Hornet" he
exclaimed. sIs it your"
Il felt" she said. that 1 must see
you and-explain- I am so sorry you
came here tonight. Oh, wish you
hadn't What made you do ft.''
Il came" began Ellery. somewhat
stifiy, because well, because 1
thought it might be good thing to
do
There was bitterness in his tone.
unmistakable- And little laugh from
his companion did not tend to soothe
his feelings.
Thank you," he said Perhaps ft
is funny. 1 did not find it so Good
evening"
The girl detained him as he was
turning away.
eI came after you,'' went on Grace
rapidly and with nervous haste, "be-
cause felt that you ought not to mis-
judge my uncle for what he said to-
night He wouldn't have hurt your
feelings for the world. He is a good
man and does good to everybody II
you only knew the good he does do,
you wouldn't-you wouldn't dare think
hardly of him.
I'm not judging your uncle he de-
clared. 1T seemed to me that the
boot was on the other Leg
81 know, but you do judge him, and
fv,st y I'D
had come to make fun of him-and u.s.
Some of the Regular people do, people
who aren't fit to tie his shoes. And
SO he spoke against yo-. He'll be
sorry when he thinks it over. That's
what 1 came to tell you. l ask your
pardon for-for him.
She turned away now, and it was
the minister who detained her.
I've been thinking" he said slowly,
for in his present state of mind it was
hard thing to say, that perhaps
ought to apologize, too. I'm afraid
did disturb your service and I'm sorry.
l meant well, but What's that?
Rain ?''
There was no doubt about it; it was
rain and plenty of 1t. 1t came in a
swooping downpour that beat upon the
trees and bushes and roared upon the
roof of the chapel. The minister hur-
riedly raised his umbrella.
Herei" he commanded, you must
take the umbrella. Really, you must
You haven't one and you'll be wet
| through
She pushed the umbrella aside.
mo, no." she answered. 81 don't
need it; I'm used to wet weather;
truly 1 am. And 1 don't care for this
hnf oJI
way to go and haven't Please, Mr.
Ellery, l can't take it,
Very WELL" was the stern1y self
sacrificing reply, then 1 shall certain
ly go with you as far as the gate. I'm
sorry, if my company is distasteful,
but"
He did not finish the sentence, think
ing. it may be. that she might finish
| it for him. But she was silent, merely
| removing her hand from the handle,
She took step forward; he followed
| holding the umbrella over her head.
They FLASHED on, without speaking,
through the rapidly forming puddles.
Presently she stumbled and he
caught her arm to prevent her falling.
To his surprise he felt that arm shake
| in his grasp.
''Why, Miss Van Hornet" he ex-
claimed in great concern, "are you
| crying? l beg your pardon. Of course
1 wouldn't think of going another step
with you. 1 didn't mean to trouble
you. 1 only If you will please take
this umbrella
Again ne tried to transfer the un.
brella and again she pushed it away.
Tin not crying" she gasped:
"but-oh, dear! this is SO funny,"
Funny" he repeated. We'll, per-
haps it is Our ideas of fun seem to
differ. T.
.tOh, but it is so funny You don't
| understand. What do you think your
| congregation would say if they knew
you had been to a Come-Outers' meet.
| ing and then insisted on seeing q
Come-Outer girl homer"
John Ellery swallowed hard A vi
sion of Captain Elkanah Daniels and
the stately Miss Annabe1 rose before
| his minds eye. He hadn't thought of
| his congregation in connection with
this impromptu rescue of a damsel in
distress.
Possibly your Uncle Eben might be
somewhat-er-surpr IL he knew
you were with me. Perhaps he might
| have something to say on the sub
| ject-"
Il guess he would. We shall know
| very soon. l ran away and left him
with Mrs. Poundberry, our housekeep-
er. He doesn't know where I am.
wonder he hasn't turned back to look
| for me before this We shall probably
4 h i'm 1f a