The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-01-18

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
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.
The little room was empty.
John Ellery drew a breath relief.
Then he laughed.
"Humph!" he exclaimed. shes
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.
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, I 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
, 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 a shoe store up to Sandwich,
, and | used to know him years ago
When | was over to Thankfups t'other
/ day, him and me had quite talk. We
got speakin' OF what nice drives there
was around Trumet and-and-er-
we'll, he asked me If 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 ant
t team about hat past three and We
) started. But I'd no idee twas SO late
) I-I-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. I ain
s asked you where you've been all TIT
0 afternoon"
d Abishai's eyes turned beseechingl.
l toward his promised hacker. Eller.
s could not resist that mute appeal.
8 Your brother has been with me TO
o some time, Miss Pepper" he volur
r teered.
e "Oh, has he? Amt that nice! HI
n couldn't have been in better comply
u I'm sure. But, oh, say, 'Bishy! I ain
told you how nigh l come to noe get
u tin out at all. Just afore MIR. Payn
o come, l was in that spare room and
u you remember put spring lock o
> that door? Well, when l was in ther
e this afternoon the wind blew tn
u door shut, the lock clicked, and Their
II | was. II hadn't had the other Ike
in my pocket don't knows wouldn
r. have been in there yet. That woul
" have been a pretty mess. wouldn't it
D. He! he! he!"
The Reverend John did not answe
NJ He could not trust himself to spea
" Just then. When he did 1t was to al
= nounce that he must be getting towar
home. No. he couldn't stay for SUI
j per.
Il Miss Pepper went into the kitchen
and Abishai saw the visitor to til
\ door. Ellery extended his hand an
N Ryan shook 1t with enthusiasm.
"a CTO BE CONTINUED)