El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-12-18

CHAPTER I.
1.-THE Sunday evening service was
over in the Dutch Reformed
l. church in the little village OF Mil
ton.
Jane Hardy had sat near the door
and was among the first OF the wor-
shippers to go out into the fragrant
June night. But swiftly as she had
come out, Ned Sanderson was awaiting
here on the front steps She felt her
heart beat with pleasure and a sudden
shyness as he stepped forward and
greeted her, his nat in his hand
MAY I walk home with your he
asked with boyish frankness.
She looked back over her shoulder
into the church down whose aisle the
congregation was now moving Slowly.
Father is here" she said hesitat-
ingly. and he may expect me 10 wait
FOR him"
We'll. I'll go in and tell him that
I'm going to see you home safely"
Sanderson volunteered
The bashfulness common to the eoun-
try lads TO whom Jane Hardy was ac-
customed was not characteristic OF
this fellow. She wondered now il his
lack OF embarrassment vas due TO the
/ fact that he was what the young peo-
pie here in Milton called "a city chap"
Touching her elbow lightly. he drew
her 10 one side OF the vestibule aDpar-
entity unconcerned by the stares OF the
Dassers-b who nodded and smiled to
him and the girl He bowed pleasantly
TO them all. This was the second sum
mer in which he had made occasional
visits to Milton Last year he had
spent his two weeks vacation here.
This year he had run out every Few
weeks for a Sunday. This was one Of
these visits He would return to town
and 10 work tomorrow.
On his stays in the village he had
taken in everything-church sociables
and picnics included-and had been
hail fellow well met" with everybody.
But he had paid especial attention TO
no girl except Jane, and to the bucOlic
mind this meant that the pair we're
keeping company. Just what that
term signifies is vague. It is not we
are told. equivalent to a betrothal, nor
apparently, can it be defined.
Not An Engagement.
In the present instance il certainly
did not signify an enga cement, but, so
far as the observer could Judge. ad
the young man and an acceptance OF
these on the part OF the girl. Her
blush just now simply meant diffidence
under the gaze of her friends and
neiGhbors-
'rn 20 and tell your father" Ned
SandersOn repeated.
But as he started to do this the OBJ
ject of his quest appeared in the door
way Of the church, accompanied by a
middle-aged man, younger than him
self yet wearing an air of -pompous
dignity that added TO his apparent age.
Ezra Hardy, James father, was a
New Jersey farmer. with the tanned
face and parchment-like skin common
TO the man who has lived much in the
fields and in the heat of the summer
sun He was gray haired, and his back
was slightly bent Yet he had evil
IDENTIFY been a good-lOoking man in his
day. and one could see that his daugh
ter got her gray eyes anG straight nose
from him. Her slight stature. brown
hair and fair skin were inherited from
her mother.
Good evening"" said Mr.. Hardy. gen
Then he turned TO Jane with an affee-
tiOnate smile. I was Just looking for
you, JAMIE" he told her. Mr.. Reeves
was asking me il you were here and 1
told him you were probably waiting,
and he said he-would walk along home
with US He wants to speak to Mr.
Evans for a minute first and then Wen
come right along"
Before Jane could reply Ned inter
posed quickly, yet politely.
Miss Hardy has just accepted my
escort to her house" he said. so I
viii see that she reaches there safely"
4 shade of disappointment crossed
Ezra's face and his companion drew
his dark brows tigether. I am sorry, So
the latter said to Jane, that I am not
to have the chance OF a chat with you.
But perhaps I can see you later at your
home"
4 Perfect Evening.
THANK you" the girl returned. Then
obeying Ned's touch upon her arm. she