Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-11-23
her HAT AND COAT
Nv oEoRc: WEYMOUTH

ne elOpluS lovers paused. at the
forks of the road and listened to the
clatter of hoofbeats down the valley.
1T is my father and SAM" said the
girl Their horses are faster than
ours. They will catch us within the
mile"
They will kill me, then, Nancy.
OH The man was pale and SILVER
ing.
Are you afraid Walter?"
He did not answer. but looked nerv-
ously down the road.
Get off your horse" she command
ed, at the same time Swinging lightly
from her own mount II don't think
they would kill you, but they might
Father is awfuIIy angry. and Sam
thinks belong to him. We need not
run any chances. The marriage can't
take place to-day, anyway. for they
are sure to catch us. Now, Walter,
I'm going to change coats and hats
and horses with YOU Then | will go
to the right and you will go to the
left. They will follow me, of course.
Before they come up with me you will
be safe
"Oh, Nancy, / can't desert you that
way" he protested feebly.
Hurry, hurry, Walter They will
turn the bend in a minute. They
won't hurt me-" She already had re-
moved her cloak and her befeathered
hat and was holding them out to him.
She stamped her foot impatiently at
his hesitation.
In a second the exchange was made
She sprang into the mans saddle on
the gray and leaned over toward Wal
ter and kissed him, smiling family at
the ludicrous picture he made in the
feathered hat and the braided cloak
with its big buttons. Then she noted
for the hundredth time the delicate,
spiritual beauty of his face. and its
pure contour. and the smile died from
her lips. There was a tear in her eye
as she turned away and caught up
the reins.
"Good-by, Walter" she murmured
IF you will come tomorrow night to
the big sycamore below the spring you
may get your hat and coat
She slapped the gray over the neck
with the bride reins and set off up
the right hand road in a gallop.
The man looked after her irreso-
lutely for an instant and then mount
ed the other horse and galloped to the
left.
He heard a triumphant shout be-
hind him and leaned low over the
horses neck and urged the animal to
greater speed.
When the pursuers reached the
forks of the road they did not hest
tate, but whipped up their beasts and
followed the disguised girl on the
gray. The man was safe.
On the next evening Walter crept
furtively through the woods to the
sycamore, carrying a girls hat and
coat on his arm. He lurked in the
shadows, starting now and then like
some timid wild animal at the small
noises of the night. When the girl
came at last he assured himself thai
she was alone and had not been fol
lowed before he ventured from hi.
concealment.
You need not be afraid, Walter,
she called. Il have told father tina
I am not going to marry YOU He
knows that l have come to see yo,
tonight. You are safe"
You are not going to marry me,
he repeated There was no question
In his tone. He seemed to accept he
announcement as a finality. at is be
cause because | was afraid
Yes, Walter Because you wer
afraid"
He gazed at her dumbly. STANDING
1.-the and straight in the moonlight
she appeared to be the incarnation o
grace and sweetness He never ha
loved her so well-neyer desired he
so much.
Il am not blaming you. Walter,
she said, sadly. You couldn't helS i
[ don't blame you, and | don't love 20
. any the less. | believe | love you a
the more. liked you from the frs
because you were different. | CUES
I knew father was right when h
called you a coward, but | knew Their
was something nobler and higher
the world than the desire to kill an
fearlessness of death. All my peopl
have been fighters. | have bee
raised in an atmosphere of feud
You were finer and gentler and MOI
D scholarly than the others. If yo
{ were different-if you were roug
o fire eater like Sam | would not 10,
. YOU"
g She sighed and looked down the va
ley. He was silent. What was thel
y for him to say?
X But l can't marry you. Walter
she continued. Il simply cannot.
$ never would be able to forget th'
S woman's hat with its ridiculous BIO
lie bling feather That shows how stror
as my prejudices are. l can't mar
o you. That Is ALL Good-by."
le AS she took her hat and coat fro