The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-28
what I came TO tell you. I ask your

what I came to tell you. ask your
pardon for-for him"
She turned away now. and il vas
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.
| meant well, but What's that?
Rain?"
There was no doubt about it: 1t was
rain and plenty of it. 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.
Here" 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 am. And don't care for this
hat; It's an old one. You have a long
way to go and haven't. Please, Mr.
Ellery. | can't take it.
Very WELL" was the sternly self
sacrificing reply, then | 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
| n, no tel Gni ch
+; It for him. But she was silent. merely
removing her hand from the handle.
She took a 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? beg your pardon. OF course
with you. | didn't mean to trouble
you. | only II you Will please take
this umbrella"
Again he tried to transfer the UNI
brella and again she pushed 1t away.
lin not crying" she gasped !;
"but-oh, dear! this is so funny"
Funny" he repeated. well, per.
haps it is. Our ideas of fun seem to
differ. /"
"Oh, but 1t 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 Annabel 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 b.
ewhat-er-surprised 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 hin
with Mrs. Poundberry, our housekeep
er. He doesn't know where l am.
wonder he hasn't turned back to lool
for me before this. We shall probabl!
meet him at any moment"
Fifty yards away the lighted win
dows Of the Hammond tavern CLEANED
yellow. Farther ca. over q ragged
moving fringe Of grass and weeds, wa
black, fiat expanse-the bay. And {
little way out upon hat expans'
twinkled the lights II = vessel. 4
chain ratified. Voices shouting exult
ingly came to their ears.
Why" exclaimed Grace in excite,
wonder, its the packet! She wa
due this morning, but we didn't expec
her in till tomorrow. How did sh,
find her way in the fog! must tel
uncle"
She started to run toward the house
The minister would have followe,
with the umbrella, but she stoppe,
him.
mo, Mr.. Ellery," she urged earnest
ly. mo, please don't. I'm all RICH
now. Thank you. Good night"
A few steps farther on she turned
II hope Cap'n Elkanah won't know.
she whispered, the laugh returning Z
her voice. Good night"
CTO BE CONTINUED)