The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-09-21
TIE Hgbife
Haired Lady
IOriginall


was young married woman whose
hair was white as snow, though there
was not wrinkle in her face and her
cheeks We're rosy red. The guests of
the hotel soon came to know each 9th
q. and the white haired lady. as we
called her, was the life of the house.
She said things in a droll way. made
light of Inconvenience and misfor-
tunes and was given to story telling.
One evening I ventured to- ask her
II there was any cause for her prema-
turely white hair A panied look came
on her face, but she could so well as
sumo any expression that was uncer-
tain if it were genuine.
Thereby hangs a tale" she said, and
several persons who had heard the
question and reply drew near to hear
what was coming.
Il was spending summer at Lake
NJ" she said. Il was engaged to be
married at the time, and you know en-
gagged people are as satisfactory to
themselves as they are unsatisfactory
to every one else. The railway station
was half a mile from the hotel, and
my lover used to come up once or twice
a week for short stay. He arrived
on the 7:3O train in the evening, and |
always walked to the station to meet
him. At first it was quite light at
that hour, but toward the end of Au-
gust it began to grow pretty dark.
Zone evening l started to make the
walk as usual. was uncertain Of the
time and was afraid would be late.
Hurying through wood, was sud-
denly halted by voice:
What's your hurryY
Before me stood the dark form of
man. l couldn't see what he looked
IKE or how he was dressed. was
very much frightened, but have no re-
Spect for those people who collapse on
the. slightest provocation, SO braced
: myself to conceal nay terror. replied
calmly:
''I'm going to meet the 7:3O train.'
ooh, you are? Reckon yer feller's
comm up from town. Gals don't most
~ hurry to meet trains for 1nother-in-
laws and sieh like"
You are right" l replied. my
young man is to come in on the train.
] think I'm late. Quite likely it is
already in and I'm liable to meet him
any moment. think l hear his step
now"
This was pure bluff, intended to
let the man understand that if he mo-
Tested me he was liable to be overtaken
in the act
, "Oh l know your feller," he replied.
''l've seen you and him walkin' from
the station many time He's not
much of feller."
"Will you let me pass?" 1 said. IF
not you may have an opportunity to
learn what kind of teller he is. He
cana surely be far away"
"'Pon my word, little gal, you're a
plucky one But as for that slab sided,
knock kneed lover of yours, I've got
something right here to fix him."
He put his hand in his pocket and
drew out something's could not see
a pistol-and pointed it right at me. l
wanted to Shrek, but feared the man
would consider a shrek call for
help and attack me at once, so / forced
1o, OF
and his weapon.
ut isn't the kind that kills at forty
rods" he said. Its a smoothbore.
Its pills are not bad to take, especially
II they hit one in the stomach. could
make that lover Of yours lay down
with it-that is, if poured enough Of
the contents into him"
laughed again, this time louder
than before. was nearer to spasm.
At the same time fancied that my
hilarity would make the fiend believe
considered myself perfectly safe.
do you suppose" l said, that ei-
thar he or would 60 through this wood
except we were armed to the teethT
II had read somewhere Of the men Of
The west, half century ago, drawing
bowie knives from the back Of their
necks, and, putting my hand to my
head, pulled out hairpin.
by Jove, Cynthia, you're Jim
dandy! You should go on the stage
But enough Of this little farce
THAT was all beard. knew the
man was my hance, and the relief was
TOO much for me. tainted and knew
nothing till saw him bending over
M, holding flask to my lips and felt
tie fiery liquor on my mouth.
"'For heavens sake he exclaimed,
what does this mean? Are you all
tight again?'
"'Why,' gasped, did you draw that
pistol on me-?
Pistol You little goose! It's moth
ing but pocket pistol Thank heav-
en, had 1t with me!
"'I thought you were robber.'
haOaned