The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-19
THE ESCAPE
BY ANITA REY6URN.

|& BY ANITA REYeURN. !
&naesssessssssssseeeesssesassessss>>sejS
The girl with q loose white sweater
over her evening dress to guard
against the cool Of the night, passed
like q shadow from column to column
Of the terrace. passed tall fower-filled
urns, q fountain and statues glisten-
ing white In the moonlight. At the
ton of the broad steps that led down
to the river, she paused under q
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, a boat
house snuggled against the slope and
beside it lay a yacht pointing seaward
like a great white bird ready for flight.
She remembered with relief that the
captain and crew were in the house.
having q 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 cOrOnet.
She passed ON, Spurning launches
and motor boats Of various kinds, and
ch0sesa rowbOat rocking gently ON the
easy swell of the river.
Gathering her skirts close, she got
in. and pulled long, easy stroke up
the river. Two miles away was q
favOrite haunt Of hers, a fiat, grassy
dell, where willows hung over q 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 a
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.
1T is heaven ~ said the echo and,
10, the voice was masculine!
She looked around surprised, and
not displeased, for the voice had
thrilled her.
Better than heaven! It's here and
heaven is yet to come" she answered.
"Fairyland then, and you are IT.
tania.''
Eyes, l am Titania. And who are
you, mysterious stranger"
=, "Oberon! Didn't you guess2"
Stupid of me. good king of the
fairies! I don't think I shall call
you Oberon, either. He was q mis-
chief maker, and led Titania ter
Fible life. Remember how he put the
ass head on the clown and caused
her to fall In love with himT'
'Thak isn't a fairy trait. It's very
human. Many people love as they are
t0ld-and marry also"
An odd look crossed her face. "Come
out, kind stranger. Be you OberOn,
Puck or the d0nkey-headed clown, I
should like to see you" she c0axed.
n And then the branches rustled and
: canoe slid out of the willows quite
close to her. The girl saw how erect |
be sat and his strong, clear features.
Susceptible to his smile and voice,
abe felt her heart beating strangely.
Her answer was irrelevant. isn't
this truly wonderful night?"
:, 1T ts-because you are here"
"And aren't people foolish to stay
.adoors?"
''They are-when you are outsider"
"And why do people have stupid
Because two people are in lover
mo. Not always! Do you know,
I've just run away from wedding, or
rather the preliminaries. The real
is tomorrow"
He was instantly Interested. "You
don't say SO! And who. pray, is the
bride7''
She told him.
"Ah! And your he asked. "What
have you to do with 1t al?'
IL" she said, II am in the bridal
party"
II am going to confess. too" he
added. II am IN the bridal party ALSO"
"Whatl Your
Yes. And drawn by the beauty Of
The night / ran OF just as you did.
We're both In the same boat"
She laughed delightfully."-. my sin
q less heinous now" she said, ''since
have company"
And we are not in the same boat,
either, are weY he broke in. "But I
would like to be IL you allow. We
Gould have little journey of our own
Up this wonderful river"
I'D love it," she said. "And I'll
how you how substantial I am when
+ tits" She stood up and held out
Ter hand, and as he took it she sprang
lightly from one rocking boat to the
'ther and settled herself in the low
eat facing him.
HWhoro fo2" ho acEod