Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-06-23


adays, and they might have been so
different. John and I would have been
married by now and living in that
pretty little cottage on Locust street
If John hadn't been so mean rs to get
jealous OF that Stanford boy"
Here Katie felt little qualm Of
conscience. To be sure she had filrted
with him to plague the other girls, and
then he was rather nice. and told such
funny college stories, and hadn't he
said she was the prettiest girl In town!
John need not have taken 1t so solemn.
and got II into his head that she was
tired Of him. What II she had told
Stanford, he needn't have jumped at
things So and said. Then. Katie, 1t is
all up with U.S." OF course she had
told him. Just as you please and
taken off his ring. John never came
back again. though she looked for him
the very next night. to make up.
What did she really care about that
Stanford fellow with his hair parted
in the middle. and his high hand
shake? He wasn't to be compared to
big. broad shouldered John. If John
went to that school he'd be the idol of
the football team. and win every time
for the cardinal.
But she had lost John and that Hig
gems girl-oh, dear. everything was so
hOrrid.
They were coming out on the tue.
Away as far as could be seen stretch
ed the level brown grass. 1t was al
most night and the fog had settled
down with a heavy thickness. Mrs.
Briggs was fretting.
BE sure you know the tracks," she
asked again and again anxiously. You
aln't likely to get into "A pond hole,
are you? It's SO long since you've
crossed here
III | do there's somebody coming
behind to pull me out he answered
grimly
"Who Is ii: I can't see"
Listen and you'll hear the horse"
1t was rapidly growing dark
Il can't stand going on this way
minute longer" she broke out. Let
me get out and walk OIL ahead. III
hold up my dress and you can follow
my white pettlcOat. | wish we'd
brought lantern
You set still: know what I'm
about"
The wearied horses plodded on, the
dark grew colder and thicker. By
and by Mr.. Briggs stopped Of his own
boys and got out.
what Is it," called his wife. sharp
ly.
yves brought up close to one of
them holes. I've sort of lost my bear
ings in this fog"
The other team came up behind them
and stopped; some one got out 1t was
John Hanlon.
"Howdy. John: where do you think
we are?"
Cant prove it by me; kinder looks
as though we were lost on the tule."
Mr.. Briggs and John looked around.
This here's pretty big pond; good
sized Willows" ne said. II amt been
here for so long I can't place it, I
don't know. John" and he laughed
rather sheepishly. but we'd better
camp right here for the night; the
horses are dead beat. and for the life
of me don't know which way to 60"
That's my opinion: we can picket
the teams out to those willows. There's
pickings for them there, and sit In Inc
rigs until the fog lifts some"
Mrs. Briggs rose to the occa sion and
began to plan.
That's just the thing. Katie can
go and sit in Johns buggy. and then
father can come back here with me,
and the little boys can lie on the bed
Of the wagon and sleep. l can fix the
baby snug on the front seat. With
the curtains down tight and the rub
Der up we'll be right comfortable. I've
got enough lunch left to give us bite
all around. It's a good deal better
than driving the Lord only knows
where in this fog
That's 40. Mrs. Briggs. Miss Katie.
SOu uIt WVNVulC W my puSky. huiu
John.
The girl shrank back.
go long" whispered her mother.
don't be foolish
Katie Jumped down, disdaning
Johns preferred hand. They walked
In silence to the buggy.
Miss Katie" said the young man.
hesitatingly. III it's disagreeable to
you to sit here with me. say 50, and
I'll sort of walk around and look after
the horses: they won't know.
"Oh," answered Katie with q little
nervous laugh. Il wouldn't stay here
alone for anything. I'd be afraid Of
the spirit OF the tule"
The spirit Of the tule?" said John,
as he seated himself beside her. Il
never heard OF that. What IL IT."
Its an Indian legend. I've heard
grandfather say"
Lets hear it,"
1t was very comfortable for Katie
sitting there so close to John under the
soft robes. and protected from the fog
by the shining rubber boot" that
reached up to her eyes.
well" she began brightly, the In