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

whip me Or commit suicide. Shei
said she would afore now if-if-"
Nonsense! She won't do that, 70,
needn't worry" He burst into anoth
er laugh, but checked himself, as h.
saw the look Of absolute distress OF
poor Kyan's face. .
Never mind. Mr.. Pepper" he said
We'll think of some plan to smooth
matters over. I'll go home with yor
now and Wen let her out together"
The little house was dark and still
as they approached 1t.
They entered. The dining room was
dark and quiet. So was the sitting
room. The clock licked, solemn and
slow. Kyan's trembling knees man
aged to carry him to the little hal
leading from the sitting room toward
the ell at the side Of the house. This
hall was almost pitch black
"Here-here, It's" painted Ryan
Here's the door. donS hear nothin'
do you? Listen!"
They listened Not a sound, save
the dismal tick Of the clock in the
room they had left. Ellery knocked
on the door.
Miss Pepper" he said; "Miss Pep
per, are you there?"
Silence, absolute Abshai could
stand it no longer. He groaned and
collapsed on his knees.
She has!" he moaned. "che done
1t and there amt nothin in there but
her remains. Oh, my SOUL"
Ellery, now rather frigh, 9ned him.
self, shook him violently.
BE quiet, you idiot" he command
ed. I'VE must go in. Give me the
key"
After repeated orders and accom-
panying shakings, Ryan produced a
key. The minister snatched 1t from
his trembling fingers, felt for the key
hole and threw the door open. The lit
tie room was almost as dark as the
hall and quite as still. There was a
distinct smell Of old clothes and cam
phor. The minister was going after a
match, and said so. In a moment he
returned with several. One of these
he lit. The birthstone sputtered, burned
blue and fragrant, then burst into a
yellow flame.
The little room was empty.
John Ellery drew a breath of relief
Then he laughed.
"Humph!" he exclaimed. She's
gone. Come into the sitting room,
light lamp, and let's talk it over"
The lamp was found and lighted at
last. It's radiance frightened the dingy
sitting room. The sound of wheels
was heard in the lane by the front
gate. A vehicle stopped. Then some
one called hurried good night Mr.
Peppers fear returned.
Its her!" he cried. She's been
ahuntin' for me. Now I'll get it! You
stand by me, Mr.. Ellery. You got to.
You said you would. But how on earth
did she get out"
His sister appeared on the threshold.
She was dressed in her Sunday best,
Powered 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-
tinued.
You know, 'Bishy," she said,
Thankful Payne's cousins home avis
tin her. He come about that cousins
will-the other cousin that's just died.
He's a real nice man-her live cousin
is-keeps shoe store up to Sandwich.
and l 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 II wouldn't like to
go to ride next Sunday afternoon
that's today. And a ride bein' a good
deal of a 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
he come round with his horse and
team about hat past three and we
started. But I'd no idee twas so late.
I-l-meant to tell you l was goin'
'Bish, but forgot
I'm so sorry kept you waitin' sup
per-" gushed Lavinia. "I'll get you
good one now. Oh, well, deary me!
must be gettin' absent-minded. l 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.
"Oh, has he? Amt that NIGEL He
couldn't have been in better comp'ny,
I'm sure. But, oh, say, 'Bishy! I amt
told you how nigh l come to not get
tin out at all. Just afore Mr.. Payne
l..