Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-02-18
THE WHITE
HAIRED LADY
A Narrowing Tale by a Clever
Story Teller.

hair was white as snow, though there
was not wrinkle In her face. and her
cheeks were a rosy red. The guests OF
the hotel soon came to know each 9th
er, and the white haired lady, as We
called her, was the life of the house
She said things in a droll way, mad,
light of Inconvenience and misfor.
tunes and was given to story telling.
One evening ventured to ask hei
If there was any cause for her prema
turely white hair. A panied look came
on her face. but she could so well as
sumo any expression that was uncer
tain IL 1t were genuine.
Thereby hangs a tale" she said,
and several persons who had heard the
question and reply drew near to hear
what was coming.
II was spending summer at Lake
NJ" she said. 81 was engaged to be-
married at the time, and you know en-
gagged people are as satisfactory to
themselves as they are unsatisfactory
to every one else. The railway station
was half mile from the hotel, and
my lover used to come up once or
twice a week for n short stay. He ar
rived on the 7:30 train in the evening,
and always walked to the station to
meet him. At first 1t was quite light
at that hour, but toward the end of
August 1t began to grow pretty dark.
zone evening started to make the
walk as usual. was uncertain of the
time and was afraid should be late.
Hurrying through wood. was sud,
IDENTIFY halted by a voice:
whats your hurryr
Before me stood the dark form of
a man. 1 couldn't see what he looked
like or how he was dressed I was
very much frightened, but have no re-
spect for those people who collapse on
the slightest provocation. so / braced
myself to conceal my terror. I replied
calmly:
I'm going to meet the 7:30 train
"'Oh, you are? Reckon yer feiler's
comm up from town, Gals don't most
ly hurry to meet trains for mother-in-
laws and sich-like'
"'You are right replied. My
young man is to come In on the train.
1 think I'm late. Quite likely it Is
already in and I'm liable to meet him
any moment think hear his step
now
This was pure bluff, intended to
let the man understand that If he mo-
Tested me he was liable to be overtaken
in the act.
"'Oh. 1 know your feller,' he replied
I've seen you and him walk In from
the station many a time. He's not
much Of feiler.'
"'Will you let me pass?' said. If
not you may have an opportunity to
learn what kind of "feller" he is. He
can't surely be far away
-" Pom my word, little gal, you're
plucky one. But as for that slab sided,
!lnocklSneed lover of yours, I've got
something right here to Ak himT
"He put his hand in his pocket ana
drew out something's could not see
what 1t was, but OF course 1t must be
q pistol-and pointed it right at me. I
wanted to shrek, but feared the man
would consider a shrek call for
help and attack me at once, so l forced
a laugh--a laugh OF contempt for him
and his weapon.
at isn't the kind that kills at forty
rods he said. It's smoothbore.
Its pills are not bad to take especially
If they hit one in the stomach. i could
make that lover of yours lay down
with it--that Is, If poured enough of
the contents into him.
~ laughed again, this time louder
than before. was nearer to a spasm
At the same time 1 fancied that my
hilarity would make the fiend believe
considered myself perfectly safe.
"'Do you suppose I said, that Ell
ther he or l would go through this
wood except we were armed to the
teethT
~ had read somewhere of the men of
the west half a century ago dra awning
bowie knives from the back of their
necks. and, putting my hand to my
head, pulled out a hairpin.
"'By Jove. Cynthia, you're a Jim
dandyl You should go on the stage.
But enough of this little farce
"That was ell heard. 1 knew tho
man was my fance, ind the relief was
too much for me. tainted and knew
nothing till saw him bending over
me, holding a flask to my lips. and felt
the fiery liquor In my mouth.
Z" For heavens sake he exclaimed,
what does this mean? Are you all
right againT
why gasped. did you draw that
pistol on meT
"'Pistol! You little goosel It's moth
Ing but pocket pistol" Thank
heaven, had 1t with mel
"T thought You were robber,'
moaned.
"'And supposed you knew me all
The time
by this time was somewhat re-
covered. I got upon my trembling
limbs. and, taking his arm. we walked
TO tire hotel"
81 see," exclaimed one of the listen
FRS, impatient for the end OF the story.
"The next morning your hair was
white as snow"
Yes; 1t was"
'1n a single night?"
Ira white haired lady made no re-
ply. Her husband laughed, arose and,
going out of the room, remarked:
Gan made out of whole CLOTH"