Gilpin observer., 1913-01-23

sLaviny; she amt like most women.
If should tell her that she'd-I don't
kaow's she wouldn't take and horse
whipsme Or commit suicide. She's
said she would afore now if-if-"
|. Nonsense! She won't do that, you
'needNt worry" He burst into nnoth.
ep laugh but checked 'hflasei.. as he
>saw the, look Of absolute Distress on
poor Kyan's, face, :, a..
Never mind Mr.. .Peppsr," he, said,
"We'n think of sons plan to. smooth
matters over iii go home. with, you,
now and We'll let her out together"
The little house was dark and'still
as they approached3it. . : p -
They entered. The dining room waa
dark apd quiet. So was ,thettsitting
r9en1u ), The, clock licked, solemn and
SLOW. Kyan's trembling knees man
aged to carry him to the little han
leading from the sitting room toward
the ell at the side OF the-hotse This
hall was almost pitch black. :
"fIeres-here. ~,tis." painted -'Kyan
"Here's, the door,, don't hear'uothin'.
do yoy? Listens"" >. N,<. ~.
l. They listened. Not a. sound, save
the dismal tick of the clock In the
room they had left. Effery Knocked
ON the door. 50
Miss Pepper" ne said; Miss Pep
per- are you there?"'. ''sae. " l..
SILENCE, sabsolute.> Abishai could
stand it no, longer. He tgroaned apd
collapsed on his knees. ,.
She has% he moaned. "she done
it and there aiii't nothin' In there but
her remains. @Oh, my dsoulr
CELERY, now rather 'frighsoned him.
self. shook him violently!.sl q,
"Be quiet, You idiotl!" he, command:
ed I'VE must go in. Give me the
key" t -
After repeated orders and accom-
panying shakings, Ryan produced a
key. Z The minister snatched 1t from
his trembling fingers, felt for the key
hole and threw the door open The 1T,
tie room was almost as dark as the
hall and auitesas 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
yellow fame. "a ~
The little room was empty.
John Ellery drew 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 a 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.
flowered 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?' 80
The Reverend John admitted his
presence. Miss Peppers demeanor
surprised him. She did not seem
angry: indeed, she acted embarrassed
and confused, as II she. and not her
brother. were the guilty party.
I'm awfully sorry. Mr. Ellery."
gushed Lavinia, removing the bonnet
You see. Yves 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
itin' 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 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 ride bein' a good
deal Of a, treat to me. l said would
Thankful was goin' too. but-er-er-
she couldn't very we'll. So Caleb
that's his name, you remember, 'Bishy
-he come round with his horse and
team about ha'f past three and we
started. But I'd no idee. twas. SO late
I-I-meant. to tell you / was goin'
'Bish, but I forgot
'I'm SO sorry kept you waitin' sup
per-" gushed Layinia. "I'u set you a
puod ona now Nh wo1l doary mol
asked you where you've been ali the
afternoon" ~
Abishai's eyes turned, beseechmgiy
toward his promised backer, Euefy
could not resist that.putegpppeaj.s
Your brother bas SeenGyith, me for
some time. Miss Pepper" he, volun.
teered. =