Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1907-12-19
- The -
Bridal Race.
Copyrighted. 1897. by c. II. sutolin.

Il want you to ride in the bridal race
with me, Frieda," said Wilhelm Roche
a. he stood ready to mount Black
Nance after having delivered his sis
tors wedding invitation to Farmer Die
trich's family.
81 can't" answered Frieda Dietrich,
with regret in her eyes and voice. "Fa-
thsr has promised Anil Myer that I
ahall ride with him"
"You wouldn't do that, FriedaT''
pleaded wilhelm. i've never told You
10, 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, Frieda2 Tell
me that you won't" entreated VIII
balm.
'T'd like to ride with you, Wilhelm.
bat can't. must do as father says"
and the tears welled to Frieda's eyes
as she turned and went into the house.
Detection and gloom took possession
OF Wilhelm as he rode away.
II don't believe that Frieda really
cares for Myer." he Boliloqulzed. HE
must be at least ten years older than
she II. 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 n
be doesF' Wllhelm's face looked dark
and threatening and then perturbed as
his thoughts flashed back TO winters
night when he. a half grown boy sat
BY tina fireplace In Stems large kitchen
and with bulging eyes and open mouth
listened to old Granny Stein tell weird
stories OF her fatherland just as Wv
tily as he did that night wilhelm could
zee the old woman's face grow witch
ike and uncanny under the flickering
nrolight 81 she told Of a 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
home in hope OF never meeting again.
When q 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
. great circle, but It grew smaller and
smaller until the man and woman met,
and then IN q fash and a roar they
disappeared and were never seen
again. Wilhelm knew that II Frleda
entered the bridal race with Myer
mhe would be lrrevocably lost to him.
One morning shortly after Wilhelm
had carried the wedding invitation be
was In the village. When about to get
hlS horse for the hOmcward trip he 70,
mombered 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,
nee and was settling with Gus Funk
the grocoFs boy.
II owe you dollar ninety-seven. but
can't make II" said Gus, looking into
TIE money drawer. II have only one
ninety-Gve in change"
that's near enough. Myer," inter.
Fupted Dietrich: take It and come ON. /"
Il don't know" replied Myer, "A
penny here and penny there and &
dollars soon gone. You put II down
Gus. and pay me the next time" In.
aisted Myer, following Dietrich out.
There's stingy man for you" ~.
marked Gus TO Wilhelm. IF father
owes him an odd sum he'll always say
Even II up. Funk; few pennies dont
count and father win even 1t up"
"You don't have money unless you
watch Il. Gus, my boy" responded WI
hahn.
'srhare's limit" retorted Qua
"Myar b an old miser. One time
picked up few apples from under hli
trees. and he came out and swore he'd
have me arrested. Henry Rubb came
along and paid for them, and then ths
old coward said | ought to be punish
ed anyway, and he gave me kicl
that made me sore for a week. l In
tend TO set even with him for that klcl
some day"
Il believe you're just the fellow I'm
booking for, Gus" Wilhelm declared
and be stayed In the store and talked
TOR nearly an hour. when be came
cut be had a smile on his face and h
had regained his usual eheerfulness
Zach day until the wedding he eurriet
and brushed Nance until her coat
ahone like velvet Whenever he coult
be took the church road to his home
and when there was no one In sigh
be urged his mare to her fastest speed
and guided her through bitches and
over all the rough places that he eouls
dnd along the road.
''It's no use pulling at my coat. oil
girl." declared Wilhelm rs be brusheS
Nance the morning OF his sisters wed
ding day. EMO. you can't have oats o.
anything else until you set back.
know II seems mean. Nance. but your
gst all the more By aud by. Here ar,
some pretty ribbons for you. Blu,