Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-09-20
OUT OF THE FOG :
BY M. Moc. MILLER.


VHidfu Siknteu TeileI as tne CfOSS-
roads signpost doomed through the
fog. He was lost in a strange land,
one made weird, even spectral, by
thick white vapors. The earth was
dank and slippery and dead leaves In
the autumn woods on either side gave
out n pungent, penetrating, almost
overpowering smell. He had loved II
as he set out that morning for a day
long tramp. If he had been weather
wise he would have stayed at the log
tavern Notwithstanding Its rough fare
and lack of comfort.
"Fallin' weather. shore as shootln'-
but I reckon We be neither sugar ner
salt" the landlord had said with q
glum face, yet half smiling, as he took
pay for his entertainment. Willard
had been glad to get away--so glad
II amazed him now that he could re-
vert longingly to the heaped log fire.
the bread Of pounded cornmeal, the
buttermilk and fried bacon that had
made his supper and breakfast.
He peered up at the cross-arms
OnNt NntN hdu DtCn ltllCICu DOiulIs
clear daylight the lettering might still
be leglble. He felt for matches, struck
one-it fllckered out When he sought
another his case proved to be empty.
AS he heard rapid hoof beats, then a
girls voice vainly crying, hushedly,
yet anxiously: "Are you there7 was
so afraid Say somethlng-quick-I
have felt lost this last hour"
81 am here, all right enough" VIII
lard began. The voice interrupted joy
ously: "Then make haste and get up
before me. couldn't get the other
horse-but Selim carries double-and
won't mind the weight. He knows the
way. I could have you ride behind
me-"
Willard mounted obediently, took
the reins from her, and held them
loosely, while she settled herself be-
hind him with little relieved sigh,
saying: 'Tt would have killed me
not to find you waiting. Yes-kllled
me. The shame Of going to meet
laggard sweetheart! Obi You must
be good to me always"
81 will-God helping me-" willard
interrupted fervently. He felt her
tremble as she leaned lightly against
him, and slipped tiny bare hand with
In his free one. Clearly she mistook
him for the laggard with whom she
had planned to elope-as clearly It
would be the height of cruelty to let
her discover her mistake. so long as
they were alone in this hidden world.
Sellm was indeed a weight carrier
also evidently built for hunter. Bad
as the footing was, he went CALAMITY,
up hill. down dell, along levels of Slip
perry clay surface. Presently he whln-
MED. keen and shrill, and was an
swered from afar. At the sound, he
struck into a galTp, left the beaten
road, and cut across open woodland,
leaped ragged brush fence edglng
1t. and held on to darker blur. evil
IDENTIFY a stable. Once again he called
to be answered in several keys. AL
most before they knew 1t. he fetched
up plump against a paddock fence
across which heads were thrust in
welcome.
A pickering lantern showed groom
approaching them-his figure gnome-
like In the light. "Whut all you done
brung back yere, ole Selim?" he cried
affably. 81 knows 20 whicker-fur as
I kin hear It,"
"Tell your master it's-the runaway
come qulck-with the IL
cense-he has tive won't get down."
the girl cried, clinging to Willard, her
voice tense and edged. Here, indeed,
was a crisis. Suddenly 1t flashed on
him that. as her husband, he might be
able to rid her OF home tyrants. So
when the minister called to them from
his back piazza, "Ride upl Don't ex-
pect me to go out In the wet. do YEP
Selim was duly guided to a space a
yard In front Of him, and held steady
under a tight rein, while the mar |
rage service was gone through. AS |
Willard passed over a handsome fee,
the parson said: Better spell your |
name fer me, John, SOS may git the |
record plumb right. Baptls' Broth
err Turrentlne1l make big howdy-doo |
over this piece of work-and upset 1t
ef he can-don't want to give him a
chance"
'Follow this. then the spelling is
bound to be right" Willard said, hand
ing over o card.
The fog was lifting slightly. the rain
Stacked. Reluctantly Selim went
,round to the house, down a ragged
avn. to q stretch Of turnpike that
showed like q tunnel In the gloom.
Night had fallen-a few stars peeped
through. Also lights from house Of
afr size little way on the road.
Without a word Willard made for 1t
Is silently. as masteffully he lifted
ethel down. AMI sturted to knock. but
he door dew open before them. In