The Delta independent., 1913-02-07


got speakin' OF what nice drives there
was around Trumet and-and-er-
well. he asked me If wouldn't like to
go to ride next Sunday afternoon
that's today. And ride bein' good
deal of a treat to me. said l would
Thankful was goin' too, but-er-er-
she couldn't very well. So Caleb
that's his name, you remember, 'Bishy
me come round with his horse and
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 a
good one now. Oh. well, deary me!
must be gettin' absent-minded. I amt
asked you where you've been all the
afternoon"
Abishai's eyes turned beseechingly
toward his promised backer. Ellery
could not resist that mute appeal.
Year brother has been with me for
some time, Miss Pepper" he volun.
teered.
"Oh, has he? Amt that nice! He
couldn't have been in better comp'ny,
I'm sure. But. oh. say, 'Bishy! amt
told you how nigh I come to not get
tin out at all. Just afore Mr.. Payne
come. was in that spare room and
you remember put spring lock on
that door? Well. when was in there
this afternoon the wind blew the
door shut, the lock clicked, and there
| was. II hadn't had the other key
in my pocket I don't knows wouldn't
have been in there yet. That would
have been a pretty mess, wouldn't It!
He! he! he!"
The Reverend John did not answer.
He could not trust himself to speak
just then. When he did 1t was to an.
nounce that he must be getting toward
home. No, he couldn't stay for sup
per.
Miss Pepper went into the kitchen,
and Abishai saw the visitor to the
door. Ellery extended his band and
Ryan shook 1t with enthusiasm.
Want 1t finer? he whispered. Talk
about your miracles! Godfreys
mighty! Say. Mr.. Ellery. don't you
ever tell a soul how II really was. will
you?"
mo, OF course not"
NO. know you won't You won't
tell on me and won't tell on you.
That's a trade. hey?"
The minister stopped in the middle
Of his step.
"What?" he said. turning.
Mr.. Pepper merely smiled, winked,
and shut the door. John Ellery reflect
ed much during his homeward walk.
The summer in Trumet drowsed on,
as Trumet summers did in those days,
when there We're no boarders from the
city. no automobiles or telephones or
antique" collectors. The Sunday din.
ners with the Daniels family were al
most regular weekly functions now.
He lodged them when he could, but
he could not do SO often without tell
ing an absolute lie. and this he would
not do. And, regularly. when the SOL
emn meal was eaten, Captain Elkanah
went upstairs for his nap and the Rev
erend John was left alone with Anna
bel. Miss Daniels did her best to be
entertaining. was. in fact. embarrass-
ingly confidential and cordial. 1t was
hard work to get away, and yet. some
how or other, at the stroke of four.
the minister always said good-by and
took his departure.
What is your hurry, Mr.. Ellery?"
begged Annabel on one occasion when
the reading of Moore's poems had
been interrupted in the middle by the
guests sudden rising and reaching for
his hat. II don't see why you always
go so early. It's SO every time you're
here. Do you call at any other house
on Sunday afternoons?"
mo-" was the prompt reply. "Oh.
no."
Mrs. Rogers said she saw you 60
ing across the fields after you left
here last Sunday. Did you go for
walk?"
"Er-er-yes. did"
81 wish you had mentioned It. I love
to walk, and there are so few people
that ! find congenial company. Are
YOU going for n wall now"
ITO be Continued)