Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-11-17
Euening Story
THE ESCAPE.
BY Anita Reyburn.
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

| \SopyIlSHL, 1910, Wy lie MSS'uis
| Newspaper Syndicate.)
The girl with loose white sweater
over her evening dress to guarC
against the cool Of the night, passed
like a shadow from column to column
of the terrace, passed tall flower filled
urns, fountain and statues glistenine
white in the moonlight. At the tor
of the broad steps that led down to the
river, she paused under spreading
tree.
Sounds of music came family from
the house, white and palatial, with
lights III all of it's hundred windows
1t stood against the black background
of the hill, and with the moon illumin
ating the beautiful valley and river
below, the whole scene was magical.
tits magic" the girl breathed
and life is wonderful if we don't ruin
it. poor silly mortals that we are
She hesitated, then started down the
steps, cautiously keeping in the shad'
ow of the high stone rail.
At the foot of the flight boat house
snuggled against the slope and beside
it lay i yacht pointing seward like a
great white bird ready for flight. She
remembered with relief that the cap
tain land crew were in the house, hav-
ing a share in the festivities of the
wedding rehearsal.
The groom was to arrive that even
ing and the bridal party was assem-.
bled and guests were invited to re-
ceive the wonderful person of title who
was to wed the family fortune in ex-
change for coronet.
She PASSED on, spurning launches
and motor boats of various kinds, and
chose row boat rocking gently on the
easy swell Of the water.
Gathering her skirts close, she got
in and pulled long. easy stroke up
the river Two miles away was IA
vorite haunt of hers, fiat, grassy dell,
where willows hung over clear little
stream that lost its identity here with
the big river. Violet purpled it in the
spring and under the trees grew ar
butus and trilliums.
The little boat swung into the haven
as she rested one oar, and slid in I'M
der the willows. Moonlight filtering
through the tiny leaves made won
derful lacework Of shadow on the
water.
at IS fairyland," breathed the girl
softly, and the place caught the echo
and sent it back to her.
at is heaven!" said the echo, and,
10. the voice was masculine.
She looked around surprised, and
not displeased, for the voice had thrill
ed her.
Better than heaven! It's here and
heaven is yet to come" she answered.
"Fairyland then, and you are
Titania."
YES, / am Titania And who are
you, mysterious stranger?'
"Oberon! Didn't you guess?"
Stupid of me, good king of the
fairies! Won't you come out where l
can see you, or are you living up to
your promise never to meet me in the
moonlight"
"I'll emerge, fairy queen, instantly.
forgot that Titania and Oberon were
only invisible to each other when they
uuarreled. But before I come out Of
my hiding place can you tell me any
thing Of the whereabouts of Puck, or
Robin Goodfellow, as he is called, who
knows where the flower grows called
Love in Idleness?' l would commits
sion him to lay some of its magical
Juice on your eyelids so that you would
fall in love with the first person you
look upon
But don't care to fall in love with
any one" she laughed. II don't think
I shall call you Oberon, either. He
was a mischief maker and led Titania
a terrible life. Remember how he put
the head of the ass on the clown and
caused her to fall in love with him."
THAT isn't fairy trait. It's very
human. Many people love as they are
told-and marry also"
An odd look crossed her face.
Come out, kind stranger. Be you
Oberon, Puck or the donkey-headed
clown. should like to see you" she
coaxed.
VERY we'll Since you ask the favor
I'll come"
And then the branches rustled and
a canoe slid out of the willows quite
close to her. The girl saw how erect
he sat and his strong, clear features.
Susceptible to his smile and voice, she
felt her heart beating strangely. Her
answer was irrelevant Isn't this a
truly wonderful night?"
ut is-because you are here'
And aren't people foolish to stay
indoors?"
"They are-when you are outside!"
And why do people have stupid
Because two people are in love!'
mo. Not always! Do you know, I've