The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-05-31

II was probably near evening. The
sun threatened TO break through the
clouds near the horizon. The rain had
entirely ceased She felt tired. but
happier and quiet after the relief Of
tears.
Then she remembered way through
Richards fields that they had often
taken. She would have to pass a bad
slough, but that could not be helped.
He must not see her In her present
plight She realized that her face was
swollen and her eyes red with weep
ing and that she was covered with
mud. Her hair was flying wildly,
though the dampness always made II
the curller. She turned into the pas
tnre after dismounting to open heavy
gate, and as she rode along she re-
moved her cap and, transferring her
halrpins to her mouth, let the reIns fall
on Glnger's neck while she shook out
her long hair and prepared TO coil 1t
more closely. But Ginger gave sud-
den Jerk, and In calling "WhOap' the
pins fell from her mouth into the mud
and water. Then she laughed long and
heartily and gave the wind its viii
with her hair No one would see her
anyway.
As she neared the slough she felt
very warm and unfastened her habit
at the throat. Ginger was plunging
and snorting through the mud and
stopped once with jerk that almost
threw the girl from her saddle. The
wind caught at her dress. and before
she realized It the two luckless letters
were spread out In the mud. II was
no laughing matter, for Richard would
be sure TO find them, and the mud was
20 deep she could not possibly dis
mount. She drove Ginger as close to
them AZ possible and was leaning
over reaching for them so attentively
that she did not see Richard TIL he
rode up almost against her.
Her eyes met his. defiantly conscious
Of her floating hair and her soIled face
and above all the telItaIe letters. She
wished her writing was finer-she
could see that hateful Il love you"
from where she now vast He lifted
his hat and was getting down to hand
Richard Copeland. you go right
away, Don't touch them. I win get
them myself"
"You can't. You'd get stuck in the
mud Let me-"
III you do, I'll-hate you"
"You do anyway, and, besides, won't
look at whatever II IL you seem to
value 30" He coolly dismounted. but
she sprang down ahead Of him and
snatched at them. sinking to her knees
IN the slush. Ginger started. and Rich
ard called "Whoay' but gave the poor
beast sly cut with his whip that sent
her on mad gallop for home. He
held Colonel by the bride. Edith
faced him.
"Now, Edith" he said, hate me or
not. You will have to get on Colonel
and be taken home. Come-dear,"
''I'll die here firstg' He mounted
and, riding close to her, suddenly caught
her In his arms and drew her strug-
Cling and angry to the saddle in front
OF him.
Edith" he said 81 couldn't help
seeing the I love You on the letter
you were so anxious about. Was II
written for meT' Suddenly she felt
that she could bear II no longer. She
turned her face against his shoulder
and cried. while he smoothed back her
long hair and held her very close Her
pride was quite gone She was In tears
and a fright generally, She felt that
Il was positively a 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 II for you" she owned, "but
| couldn't send II, and I was mlsera.
BILE"
lie laughed softly and babe her look
up, and Colonel somehow understood
that he was expected to 60 very. very
slow.