Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-29
The - Bridal Race. By Maude Swalm Evans.
Copyrighted, 1907. by c. H. Sutcliffe
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1 pVVVVVVvWVVVVVV q want you to ride in the bridal race | with me, Frieda," said Wilhelm Roebe l as he stood ready to mount Black | Nance after having delivered his sis | ter's wedding invitation to Farmer Die | trich's family.
 q can't" answered Frieda Dietrich, with Segret in her eyes and voice. ''Fa- ther has promised Anil Myer that I shall ride with him."
 "You wouldn't do that, Frieda?" 1 pleaded Wilhelm. i've never told you l so, but as long back as can remember | I've counted on your being my wife some day. You won't ride in the bridal race with any other man, Frieda? Tell me that you won't" entreated Will helm.
 ''rd like to ride with you Wilhelm, but can't must do as father says" and the tears welled to Frieda's eyes as she turned and went into the house.
 Objection and gloom took possession of Wilhelm as he rode away.
 q don't believe that Frieda really cares for Myer," he soliloquized. ''He must be at least ten years older than she is, but he's got his farm clear and money in the bank, and of course that talks with Dietrich. Myers got good horses, and he stands chance of win ming the race with Nance out, and if he doesw Wilhelms face looked dark and threatening and then perturbed as his thoughts flashed back to winters night when he, half grown boy, sat by the fireplace in Stein's large kitchen and with bulging eyes and open mouth listened to old Granny Stein tell weird stories of her fatherland. Just as viv- idly as he did that night Wilhelm could see the old woman's face grow witch | like and uncanny under the tlickering firelight as she told of couple who, | after winning the bridal race, had dis | regarded the omen and had refused to marry.
 Love had changed to hate. and so bitter was the new passion that they travelled far away from their native 1 home in hope of never meeting again. When a twelvemonth passed the fire man" gained possession of their souls. and constantly and increasingly he pur- sued them, bringing them nearer and nearer together until he succeeded in driving them close enough to encircle with his lightning. At first there was a great circle, but it grew smaller and smaller until the man and woman met, and then ill a flash and a roar they disappeared and were never seen again. Wilhelm knew that if Frieda entered the bridal race with Myer she would be irrevocably lost to him.
 One morning shortly after Wilhelm had carried the wedding invitation he was in the village. When about to get bis horse for the homcward trip he re- membered that his mother wanted some things from Funk's grocery. In the store he found Dietrich and Myer. | Myer had brought in some farm prod uce and was settling with Gus Funk, the grocers boy.
 q owe you d dollar ninety-seven, but I can't make it," said Gus, looking into the money drawer. T have only one ninety-five in change"
 That's near enough, Myer," inter- rupted Dietrich; take it and come on. :"
 T don't know" replied Myer. "A penny here and penny there and a dollars soon gone. You put it down, Gus, and pay me the next time,' in- sisted Myer. following Dietrich out.
 There's stingy man for yOu," re- marked Gus to Wilhelm. If father owes him an odd sum he'll always say, Even it up, Funk; q few pennies don't count and father will even it up.'
 You don't have money unless you watch it, Gus. my boy" responded Will. helm.
 There's a limit" retorted Gus. "Myer is an old miser. One time I picked up few apples from under his trees, and he came out and swOre he'd have me arrested. Henry Rubb came along and paid for them, and then the old coward said I ought to be punish. ed anyway. and he gave me kick that made me sore for a week. I in. tend to get even with him for that kick some day"
 'I believe you're just the fellow I'm looking for. Gus" Wilhelm declared. and he stayed in the store and talked for nearly an hour. When he came out he had q smile on his face and he had regained his usual cheerfulness. Each day until the wedding he curried and brushed Nance until her coat shOne like velvet. Whenever he could he took the church road 10 his home, and when there was no one In sight he urged his mare to her fastest speed and guided her through dltches and over all the rough places that he could find along the road.
 'It's no use pulling at my coat. old girl" declared Wilhelm as he brushed Nance the morning of his sisters wed. ding day. "NO, you can't have oats or anything else until you get back know it seems mean. Nance. but you'll get all the more hy and by. Here are some pretty ribbons for you Blue means first prize. Do you know thati There. you are as pretty q mare as ever trayeIes1 these roads. Now watch me. old girl See-One. two. three four measures of oats Tn they 20. No. don't putt: you can't have q lite now. They'll he there when you get