The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1913-01-24

He had taken but few steps wher
there was q rustic in the wet grass
behind him.
"Mr. Ellery," whispered a voice
"Mr. Ellery, may speak to you JUS
a moment?"
He wheeled in surprise.
"Whyl why. Miss Van Hornet" he
exclaimed. rs 1t your"
81 felt" she said. that must see
you and-explain. l am SO sorry you
came here tonight. Oh. wish you
hadn't. What made you do it,"
II came" began Ellery, somewhat
stifly, because I-well, because
thought 1t might be a 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 II
is funny. l did not find 1t so. Good
evening"
The girl detained him as he was
turning away.
81 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"
II know. but you do Judge him, and
you mustn't. You see, he thought you
had come to make fun Of him-and us.
Some of the Regular people do, people
who aren't fit to tie his shoes. And
so he spoke against YOU. He'll be
sorry when he thinks it over. That's
what came to tell you. l ask your
pardon for-for him."
She turned away now, and 1t was
the minister who detained her.
1--WE been thinking" he said slowly,
for in his present state Of mind it was
hard thing to say, that perhaps I
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 1t; It was
rain and plenty of 1t. 1t came in a
swooping downpour that beat upon the
trees and bushes and reared 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 l am. And l don't care for this
hat; it's an old one. You have long
way to go and haven't. Please, Mr.
Ellery, can't take It,"
Very WELL" was the sternly self
sacrificing reply. then l 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
1t 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. or course
I wouldn't think Of going another step
with you. l didn't mean to trouble
you. l 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 1t is. Our ideas of fun seem to
differ I"
"Oh, but 1t is SO funny. You don't
What do you think your
would say if they knew
you had been to a Come-Outers' meet
ing and then insisted on seeing a
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 competition with
this impromptu rescue Of damsel in
distress.
Possibly your Uncle Eben might be
ewhat-er-surprised II he knew
you were with me. Perhaps he might
have something to say on the sub
iect"
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 l am.
wonder he hasn't turned back to look
or me before this We shall probably
meet him at any moment"
Fifty yards away the lighted win
lows of the Hammond tavern cleaned
20