The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-04-17
CHAPTER vIl.-(continued.)

by Nat. They become aIEIehuS'
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)
Sure enough; one of the windows
on this side of the house was raised
about six inches at the bottom, the
shade was up, and peering beneath the
sash the minister discerned the ex-
preseive features Of Abishai pepper
or as much Of those features as the
size Of the opening permitted to pc
seen.
"Ohi" exclaimed the visitor, lis that
you, Mr.. Pepper? Well, I'm glad to
see you. at last. You are rather hard
80 see, even now"
e'Er-er-come to call, did you?"
why. yes, that was my intention"
"Hum! Er-er-Laviny, she's gone
over to Thankful Payne's. She heard
that ThankfuPs cousin up to Middle
boro had died-passed away, | mean
and she thought she'd run over and
find out if Thankful was willed any
thing. She said she'd be back pretty
soon.''
Very we'll Then, as she won't be
gone long, perhaps I'll come in and
wait"
you see, Mr.. Ellery," stammered
Ryan, It'd like to have you come in
fust rate. Out-er-Layiny she's got
the key. She-she- Oh, consarn 1t
all, Mr.. Ellery, she's locked me in this
room a-purpose, SOS I won't get out
and go somewheres without her know
In IT.
"She done it a-purpose." continued
Ryan. in burst of confidence. She
bad me put one Of them new-fangled
spring locks on the door OF this room
t'other day, cause she said she was
afraid of tramps and wanted some
place to shut herself up in il one OF
'em. come. And--and after dinner to-
day she sent me in here for somethin'
and then slammed the door on NE.
Said she cal1ated I'd stay put Iii she
got back from Thankful's. She knew
mighty well I couldn't get out of the
window, cause it won't open no
further'n it's now. l want never so
provoked in my life 'Taint no way to
like young one; now, is it?"
81 don't know. You're OF age, Mr..
Pepper, and you must decide for your
self. think should declare my indie
pendence. Really, must go. I"
stop your foolishness! ,Oh!-I-I
ask your pardon, Mr.. Ellery. That
amt no way to talk to a minister. But
I'm goin' to go out when | want to IL
| bust a hole through the clapboards.
I amt fascinatin'. You ask any wom-
an-except her-if be, and see what
they say. What'll dor"
"Ha. hal don't know. I'm sure. You
might lock her up, suppose. Just for
a change"
'Hey." There was a sound from be-
hind the pane as If the imprisoned one
had slapped his knee. by gum!
never thought of that. Would you
now. Mr.. Ellery? Would you? Sshh!
sshh! somebody's comm. Maybe it's
her. Run around to the door, Mr.. Ell
lery, quick. And don't tell her I've
seen you, for mercy sakes! Don't
now, will We? Please! Rum"
J.
walked briskly around the corner.
Sure enough, Lavinia was there, just
unlocking the door. She expressed her
self as very glad to see the caller,
ushered him into the sitting room and
disappeared, returning in another mo-
ment with her brother, whom she un-
hlushingly said had been taking nap.
= LOT h4xs
stead, he merely looked apprehensive-
~ at the minister.
The cell was a short one. Layinia
did seTen-eighths of the talking and
Ellery the rest. Ryan was silent
He told no one of Kyans conf
dental disclosure, and, after some
speculation as to whether or not there
might be sequel, put the whole lu-
dicrous affair out Of his mind. A week
from the following Sunday he dined in
state at the Daniels table. Captain
Elkanah was gracious and condescend-
ing. knnabel was more than that.
She was dressed in her newest gown
and was so very gushing and affable
that the minister felt rather embar-
raised. When, after the meal was
over, Captain Elkanah excused himself
and went upstairs for his Sabbath nap,
the embarrassment redoubled. Miss
Annabel spoke very confidentially of
her loneliness without "congenial So
ciety," Of how very much she did en-
Joy Mr. Ellery's intellectual sermons,
and especially what treat 1t had been
to have him as a guest
He left the big house as soon as he
could without giving offense, and
started back toward the parsonage
But the afternoon was so fine and the
early, summer air SO delightful that
he changed his mind and, jumping the
fence at the foot of Cannon Hill, set
off across the fields toward the bluffs
and the bay shore.
The sun was low in the west as be
enrered the grove of pines on the bluff
The red light between the boughs
made brilliant carpet patterns on the