Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-09
NUMBER %.


the unrestrained luxury of tears. Here
out In the open. with the sting OF rain
drops In her face, she was free from
prying eyes. She did not need to keep
up her pride, and she could be rs
wretched as she really felt. She did
not look about her, but rode mile after
mile, letting the mare take her own
course.
| After riding an hour or so she no.
iced that the storm abated and, look
ng up. saw that the clouds were less
dark. Her. and there was CLEAN OF
blue, though the warm wind still blew
intermittent drops into her face. She
drew her collar closely about her neck
and pulled her cap over her eyes and
rode on with her own thoughts.
| At last an idea came 10 her. Why
rot phone to Richard-just call him
| Up and talk TO him IN the old way
about nothing in particular and, II he
made it easy for her ask him 10
come to see her that evening? Strong
| n this new resolve. she looked to see
where she was and realized that after
long detour they were about mile
below Richards house. which they
must pass. She could not 90 back, FOR
1t was probably near evening. The
sun threatened to break through the
clouds near the horizon. The rain had
entirely ceased. Sic felt tired. but
happier and quiet after the relief OF
tears.
Then she remembered II way through
Richards fields that they had often
taken. She would have 10 PASS bad
slough, but that cOTli not be helped.
He must not see her in her present
plight. She realized that he face was
Ewollcn and her eye; re-! with weep
Ing and that SAe vas covered with
mud. Her hair WAS flying wildly,
though the dampGcfs always made it
the curlier. she turned into the pas
ture after dismOunt.ug - open asheavy
gate. and rs she rode along she re-
moved her cap and. TRANSFERRING her
hairpins to her mouth. let the rcils fall
on Ginger's neck while she shook out
her hong hair and prepared TO coil IL
more closely. But Ginger gave sud
den jerk, and in calling "Whod"' the
pins fell from her mouth into the mnd
and water. Then she laughed long and
heartily and gave the wind It's will
with her hair. No one would see her
anyway.
AS she neared the slough she felt
very warm and unfastened her habit
ut the throat. Ginger was plunglnS
and snorting through the mud md
stopped once with Jerk that almost
threw the cir! from her saddle. The
wind caught at her dress, and before
she realized 1t the two luckless letters
were spread out I'm the mud. 1t was
no laughing matter, for Richard would
be sure to find them, and the mud was
so deep she could not possibly dis
mount. She drove Ginger as close to
them us possible and was lean.yg
over reaching for them SO attentiycly
that she did not see Richard till he
rode up almost against her.
Of her floating hair and her solled face
and above all the telltale letters. She
wished her writing was tiner-she
could see that hateful II love you
from where she now was! He lifted
lis hat and was getting down to hand
her the letters when she stopped him.
Richard Copeland, you 90 right
away. Don't touch them. will get
them myself"
you can't. You'd get stuck in the
mud. Let me-"
III you do. Tll-hate you"
"You DO anyway. and besides, won't
look at whatever II is you seem to
value So" lie coolly dismounted, but
she spgang down aheal Of him and
sna.clCj M them. sinking to her knees
In the slush. Ginger started, and Rich
ard called whoa" but gave the poor
beast sly cut with his whip that sent
her on mad galiop for home. lie
held Colonel by the bride. Edith
faced him.
"Now. EJ!th." he said hate me or
not You Will have to get on Colonel
ana bc taken home. Come-dear."
"I'll die here frstw He mounted
aud, riding close to her, suddenly caught
her in his arms and drew her strug-
Cling and angry to the saddle In front
of him.
ed. h." he said. IL couldn't help
seeing the i love YOU on the letter
you we're 80 anxioEg about. Was 1t
written for meT Suddenly she felt
that she could bear It no longer. She
turned her face against his shoulder
and cried. while he smoothed back her
long h1it and held her very close. Her
pride was quite gone. She was In tears
and fright generally. She felt that
It was positively miracle that he
could still love her. He kissed the
only available place, which happened
to be her left ear. Then he asked her
again about the letter.
II meant 1t for you," she owned, "but
couldn't send ii, and I was misera-
ble"
He laughed softly and bade her look
up, and Colonel somehow understood
that ne was expected to go very, very
slow.