The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-11-20
HER HAT AND COAT
By GEORGE WEYMOUTH

forks of the road and listened 10 the
clatter OF hoofheats down the valley
IT is my father and Sam, said me
girl. Their horses are faster man
ours They viii catch us within the
mile
They viii kin me, then, Nancy
on The man was pale and shWer
Ing,
Are YOU afraid Walter
He did not answer, but looked nerV-
ousy down the road
Get off your horse she command
ed. at the same time springing lightly
from her own mount Il don't thlhA
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
take place today. anyway, for they
are sure TO catch us, Now, WAITER,
I'm going to change coats and mats
and horses with YOU Then | Will 90
to the right and Won will go 70 the
left They viii follow me, OF course.
Before they come up with me you VIII
be safe.
oh. Nancy. cant desert YOU that
way" he protested feebly
Hurry, hurry. Walter They will
turn the bend in minute They
won't hurt me She already had re-
moved her cloak and her hefcathered
hat and was holding them ont to him
She stamped her foot impatiently at
his hesitation
In a second the exchange was made
She sprang into the mans saddle on
ter and kissed him, smiling family az
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 It's
pure contour, and the smile died from
her lips There was a tear In her eve
IS she turned away and caught up
the Ieins
"Good-hy Walter" she murmured.
IF Won viii come tomorrow night to
the big sycamore below the spring You
may get your hal and coat
She slapped the gray over the neck
with the bride reins and set off up
the right hand road In a gallon
The man looked after her irreso-
urely 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, bur whipped up their beasts and
followed the disguised girl on the
gray. The man was safe.
On the next evening Walter crept
furtivelv 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 that
she was alone and had not been fol-
lowed before he yentured from ms
concealment
"You need not be afraid, Waiter
she called 4 have told father that
[ am not going to marry YOU lie
knows that ] have come to see you
tonight. You are safe.
You are not going to marry me-
he repeated There was no question
in his tone. He seemed to accept her
announcement as a tinality. 1T IS be-
cause because was aiTaiu'
Yes, Walter Because you We're
afraid"
lie gazed az her dumoiy. 9'ahuii'7
1.-THE and straight in the moonlight
| she appeared TO be the incarnation OF
grace and sweetness. lie never had
loved her so well-never desired heF
so much
Il am not blaming you, Waiter
she said sadly You couldn't help IL
/ don't blame you, and ! don't love you
any the less. believe love you al
| the more. ! liked You from the hIS'
because you we're different. ! guess
/ knew father was right when he
called YOU a coward but | knew there