The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-08-21
SCOTLAND NECK, N. C., THURSDAY, AUGUST 2l, 1913.

not phone to Richard-just call him
up and talk to him in the old way
about nothing in particular and, If &c
made it easy for her, ask him to
come to see her that EVENING" Strong
In this new resolve, she looked to see
where she was and realized that after
long detour they were about a mile
below Richards house, which they
must pass. She could not go back, for
1t was probably near evening. The
sun threatened to break through the
entirely ceased. She felt tired. but
happier and quiet after the relief of
tears.
Then she remembered q way through
Richards fields that they had often
taken. She would have to pass q bad
slough. but that could not be helped.
He must not see her In her present
plight. She roe allied that her face wes
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 it
the curlier. She turned into the pas
ture after dismounting to open heavy
gate, and as she rode along she re-
moved her cap and, transferring her
hafrptns to her mouth, let the reins fall
on Ginger's neck while she shook out
more closely. But Ginger gave q sud
den jerk, and in calling "Whoar' the
pins fell from her mouth into the mud
and water. Then she laughed long
and heartily and gave the wind It's
will with her hafr 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 1T the two luc!1less letters
were spread ont In the mud. 1t was
no laughing matter, for Richard would
be sure to find them, and the mud was
50 deep she could not possibly dis
mount. She drove Ginger as close to-
them as possible and was leaning
over reaching for them so attentively
that she cid not see Richard till he
rode up almost against her.
Her eycs met his, defiantly conscious
Of her floating hair and her soiled face
and. above all, the telltale letters. She
wished her writing was finer. She
could see that hateful II love you"
from where she now was. He lifted
his hat and was getting down to hand
her the letters when she stopped him.
"Richard Copeland, you go right
away! Don't touch them! I will get
them myself"
"You can't. You'd get stuck in the
mud. Let me-"
IF you Go I'll-hatc you"
"You do anyway, and, besides,
won't look at whatever It Is you seem
to value So" 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 "Whoa"' but gave the poor
beast sly cut with his whip that sent
her On a mad gallop for home. He
held Colonel by the bride. Edith faced
him.
"Now, Cdith,'' he said, hate me or
not, you will have to get on Colonel
and be taken home. Come, dearr'
"I'll die here flrst!'' He mounted
and, riding close to her, suddenly
caught her in his arms ard drew her,
and angry, to the saddle in
front of HIM"
Edith" he said. Il couldn't help
seeing tho I love you on the letter
you were so anxious about. Was 1t
written for me? Suddenly she felt
that she could bear 1t 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
It was positively miracle that he
could still love her. He kissed the
only available place, which happened
to be her left ear. Then be asked her
again about the letter.
II meant 1t for you," she owned,
t'but I couldn't send 1t. and / was mis-
erable"
He laughed softly and bade her look
up, and Colonel somehow understood
that he was expected to go very slow.