The Cairo bulletin., 1906-12-10
her HAT AND COAT
By GEORGE WEYMOUTH

| clAtter OF hOOtbeatS down the valley.
TT is my father and sam" said tho
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 springing lightly
from her own mount Il don't think
they would kill YOU, but they might.
Father is awfully angry, and Sam
thinks belong to him. We need not
run any chances. The marriage can't
take place today, anyway, for they
are sure to catch US. Now, Walter.
I'm going to change coats and hats
and horses with You. Then | will 20
to the right and you will go TO the
left They will follow me- Of course,
Before they come up with me you viii
be safe"
"Oh. Nancy. can't desert you that
way" he protested feebly,
Hurry. hurry. Walter They viii
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 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 Rade 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 it's
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-hy 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 relns and set off up
the right hand road in 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 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
the disguised girl on the
gray The man was safe
On the next evening Walter crept
furtiyely 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 ne assured himself that
she was alone and had not been fol- !
owed before he Yentured from his
You need not be afraid Walter"
she called. Il have told father that |
am not going to marry yon, He |
knows that / have come to see you
.o-night You are safe"
You are not going to marry me-"
he repeated. There was no question |
n his tone. He seemed TO accept her |
as a fnality 1T is be- |
,ause because ! was afraid
Yes, Walter. Because you were
Ifraid'
He gazed at her dumbly. Standing |
1.-THE and straight in the moonlight. |
he appeared to be the incarnation of |
grace and sweetness. He never had
owed her so well--neyer desired her
70 much.
81 am not blaming you, Walter"
The said. sadly You couldn't help IT,
don't blame you, and I don't love you
my the less. believe I love YOU all !
he more ] liked YOU from the first
BECAUSE you were different I guess
knew father was right when he
allied YOU coward. but I knew there
vas something noblcr and higher In
he world than the desire to XIII and
of death Al my people
iave been fighters. have been
'aiscd in an atmosphere fcuds
You were finer and ccntler nd more
scholarly than The others. II Won
we're difcrcnt-if you were a rough
ire eater Ike Sam would not love
.ou"
She sighed and looked down the val
cy. lie was silent. What was there
OF him 10 gay?
"But ! can't marry YOU. Walter"
he continued. Il simply cannot. ]
lever would he able 10 forget that
yomsns hat with IT'S ridiculous boo
ling feather. That shows how strons
ny prejudices are can't marry
-ou That is all Good-by"
As she took her hat and coat from
lie arm he caught her hand aud
,ressed IL cOnFuisiyely
Nancy" he whispered.
She LET him hold her hand for a
moment but her fingers we're cod
nd listless
ITS killing me. Nancy" be muir
nurcd. hroLcnly.
I'm sorry. gnprosc sou think &