Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-01-09
THE ESCAPE.
sy 1r,rA asvsuan.

The girl with q loose white sweater
over her evening dress to guard
against the cool of the night, passed
like shadow from column to column
Of the terrace, passed tall fiower-filled
urns, a fountain and statues glIsten-
ing white In the moonlight. AT the
top Of the broad steps that led down
to the river, she paused under a
spreading tree.
She hesitated, then started down
the steps. cautiously keeping In the
shadow Of the high stone rail.
At the foot OF the flight, boat
house snuggled against the slope and
beside II lay a yacht pointing seward
like great white bird ready for fight.
She remembered with relief that the
captain and crew we're In the house,
having share In the festivities Of the
wedding rehearsal.
The groom was to arrive that eve
ming 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
exchange for a coronet.
She passed on, spurnlng launches
and motor boats Of various kinds, and
chosesa rowboat rocking gently on the
easy swell of the river.
Gathering her skirts close, she got
in and pulled a long, easy stroke up
the river. Two miles away was
favorite haunt of hers, fiat, grassy
dell. where willows hung over a clear
little stream that lost its identity here
with the big river.
The little boat swung into the
haven as she rested one oar, and slid
in under. the willows. Moonlight fl
tering through the tiny leaves made
wonderful lacework of shadow ON the
water.
1T is fairyland," breathed the girl
softly, and the place caught the echo
and sent it back to her.
at is heavenr' said the echo and,
10, the voice was masculinel
She looked around surprised, and
not displeased, for the voice had
thrilled her.
Better than heavenl It's here and
heaven is yet to come" she answered.
"Fairyland then, and you are III.
tania."
Eyes, / am Titania. And who are
you, mysterious stranger?"
"Oberonl Didn't you guessr
stupid of me, good king of the
fairies l don't think l shall call
you Oberon, either. He was a mis-
chief maker, and led Titania ter.
rible life. Remember how he put the
ass head on the clown and caused
her to fall In love with him?"
THAT isn't a fairy trait. It's very
human. Many people love as they are
told--and marry also" e
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-
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 truly wonderful nightf"
ut is-because you are here!"
"And aren't people foolish to stay
indoors?"
They are-when you are outsider
"And why do people have stupid
.weddingsT
Because two people are In lover
mo. Not alwaysl Do you know,
I've just run away from wedding. or
rather the preliminaries. The real
wedding is tomorrow"
He was instantly interested. "You
don't say sol And who, pray, is the
,bride?"
She told him.
"Ahi And your" he asked. 'What
have you to do With 1t all?"
IT.. she said, II am in the bridal
party"
II am going to confess. too" he
added. II am In the bridal party also"
what You'll"
Eyes. And drawn by the beauty OF
the night l ran off just us you did.
We're both in the same boat"
She laughed delightfully."-. MY sin
e less heinous now" she said. "since
4 have company"
"And we are not in the same boat
either. are wet" he broke in. But I
would like to be II yon allow. We
J6ould have little journey of our own
I'D this wonderful river"
I'D love It." she said. "And I'll
show you how substantial am when
1T tits" She stood up and held out
her hand. and as he took It she sprang
lightly from one rocking boat to the
other and settled herself in the low
seat facing him.