The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-01-10
cHAPTER Vll.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER Vll.-(Contnued.)
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 en-
pressive features of Abishai Pepper
or as much Of those features as the
size of the opening permitted to be
seen.
"Oh!" exclaimed the visitor, is that
you, Mr. Pepper? Well, I'm glad to
see you. at last You are rather hard
to see, even now"
sEr-er-come to call, did you?"
sWhy, yes, that was my intention"
"Hum! Er-er-Laviny, she's gone
over to Thankful Paynes. She heard
that Thankfuls cousin up to Middle
boro had died-passed away, l 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 well. Then, as she won't be
gone long, perhaps I'll come in and
watt
"You see, Mr.. Ellery," stammered
Ryan, I'D like to have you come in
! fust rate, but-er-Laviny she's got
the key. She-she- Oh, consarn 1t
all, Mr. Ellery, she's locked me in this
room a-purpose, SOS 1 won't get out
and go somewheres without her know
in It,
"She done it a-purpose," continued
Ryan, in a burst of confidence. "She
had ne 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 If one of
'em come. And-and after dinner to-
day she sent me in here for somethin'
and then slammed the door on me.
Said she callated I'd stay put till she
cot back from Thankful's. She knew
mighty well l couldn't get out Of the
window, cause it won't open no
further'n it's now. want never so
provoked in my life. 'Tain't no way to
treat your own brother, lockin' him up
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. /"
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 l want to if
bust hole through the clapboards.
4 amt fascinatin'. You ask any wom-
an-except her-if be, and see what
they say. What'll l do?"
ria, ha! don't know, I'm sure. You
might lock her up, l suppose, Just for
change"
"Hey!" There was sound from be-
hind the pane as If the imprisoned one
had slapped his knee. "By gum! I
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.. FL
lery, quick. And don't tell her I've
4 seen you, for mercy sakes! Don't
now, will ye? Please! RUM"
The minister did not run, but he
walked briskly around the corner
#0UIG tIlOuSlly 1uNlhlcl was liSASs JuoN
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-
blushingly said had been taking a nap.
Abshai did not contradict her; in
stead, he merely looked apprehensive-
~ at the minister.
The call was short one. Lavinia
did seven-eighths Of the talking and
Ellery the rest. Ryan was silent.
He told no one of Kyan's conf
Rental disclosure, and, after some
epeculation as to whether or not there
might be sequel, put the whole lu-
dicrous affair out of his mind. A week
rom the following Sunday he dined in
tate at the Daniels table. Captain
Elkanah was gracious and condescend-
ing. Annabel was more than that
she was dressed in her newest gown
md was so very gushing and affable
hat the minister felt rather embar-
fassed. When, after the meal was
over, Captain Elkanah excused himself
md went upstairs for his Sabbath nap,
the embarrassment redoubled Miss
Annabel spoke very confdentially of
her loneliness without 'congenial so
eiety," Of how very much she did en-
toy Mr.. Ellery's intellectual sermons,
4 and especially what treat it had been
70 have him as guest
He left the big house as soon as he
could without giving offense, and
sfarted back toward the parsonage.
But the afternoon was so fine and the
early summer air 80 delightful that
I re changed his mind and jumping the
Eence at the foot of Cannon HILL set
oh acrass the fields toward the bluffs
md the bay shore.
W The sun was low in the west as he
uttered the grove of pines on the bluff
The red light between the boughs
nade brilliant carpet patterns on the