The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-04-08
The STARS
THE RUNAWAYs.
BY Temple Bailey.

W%"A AINh AAh away WIN NOus
Just one more hill" said the boy
at her side bravely; then we are
there"
The sleigh bells iingled in the froz-
en- stiffness. The world was white
from horizon to horizon. with slaty
sky overhead Matilda wept softly
You ought not to have asked me.
Rudolf"
The boy turned on her his amazed
blue eyes.
why" he blurted out. II thought
you wanted to!"
ooh, l did" she walled; 81 thought
it would be lovely-but it ANTI"
The boys mittened hands on the
reins trembled.
''It's just because you are cold,
amt it, Tilly?" he asked wistfully.
IT don't know" she sobbed, "but
want to go home, Rudolf. / want to
go home!"
He stopped the steaming horse and
spoke with decision.
you will freeze if we go back now
But l won't run away with you if
you don't want to go. I'm not that
mean, Tilly"
There was a hurt note in his voice,
but she was too self-absorbed to no
tice.
''Well, you must think of something
to do, Rudolf You've just got tot"
His eyes swept the horizon.
There's smoke comm out Of
Grandma Gazeley's chimney" he said
presently. "She'd never tell-and
she's all alone"
well" said Matilda family, Tets
go there"
In silence they drove up to the
little house, half covered with drift
ed snow The sound of their bells
brought an old woman to the door.
She was very thin, and very tiny, and
her white hair blew in little wisps
across her forehead.
"Why, Tilly Batcheller," she said,
you look most Iroze.
Rudolf helped Matilda down, his
young face sternly set
tI've got good fire in the kitchen.
said Mrs Gazeley. 'Tn make you
cup of tea, and it'll het you up. Come
right in-why, lilly Batcheller, what
was your pa thinkin' of to let you
l., o,,oI,
"Pa don't know nothin' about it"
said Matilda miserably.
Grandma Gazeley's eyes went from
one to the other.
''You was a-runnin' away" she
said.
Tilly FLUSHED and Rudolf held his
head high.
Don't scold her, grandma" he said.
at wasn't her fault asked her to
CO."
@Well, didn't she CONSENT" said
severely. cor did you car
ry her off by force, Rudolf"
"Of course he didn't" said NATL
da 'I said I'd go-but wish had
MT" and her lip began to culver.
Grandma Gazeley laid wrinkled
hand on the girls arm and gave her J
a little shake
what you cryin' for?" she asked.
because I want to go home" said /
Tilly, and she sobbed aloud.
But there was no sympathy in
grandmas glance.
What do you want to go home y
for?" she demanded.
Matilda looked at her in astonish- 4
ment She had Thought that her
swift repentance would be applauded, y
but there was no sign of appreciation t
in the old face"
81 thought ought to co." she fall
tered. 'Pa II be worried"
Rudolf was looking out of the win
dow. Suddenly he turned and flung T
at them a bit of sullen information. S
"He won't be worried long. He's b
comm down the road now" o
lilly sprang to her feet
Don't let him come in, grandma" q
she pleaded excitedly. Hell be mad
IT Rudolf"
"Let him." said Rudolf fiercely. i
lon't knows care"
Something in his expression fright S
sned the girl.
Don't you say notnin' hateful to
him." she commanded anxiously a
Don't you say nothin' to him, Ru-
lolf"
Her fair hair fell about her face in u
luffy confusion, her blue eyes were g
till wet, her little warm hands were t.
IN the boys, to his undoing. II
Don't worry, lilly" he said Il a