The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1917-01-09
THE ESCAPE
BY ANITA REYBURN.

The girl with 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 tlower-filled
urns, fountain and statues glisten-
Ing white I'm the moonlight. At the
top of the broad steps that led down
to the river, she paused under
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 Struggled against the slope and
beside 1t lay 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 u 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
chose'a 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 a
| favorite haunt of hers, n fiat, grassy
! dell, where willows hung over n clear
! little stream that lost it's identity here
with the big river.
| The little boat swung into the
haven us 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
aud sent 1t back to her.
ut is heaven!' said the echo and,
| 10, the voice was masculine!
She looked around surprised, and
not displeused, 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 IT.
rnnia."
Eyes, l am Titania. And who ore
you, mysterious stranger"
"Oberonl Didn't you guess7"
stupid Of me, good king Of the
fairies! don't think 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 full In love with himr'
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.
And then the branches rustled and
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
abe felt hei heart beating strangely
Her answer was irrelevant. "Isnt
this truly wonderful night?"
1T is-because you are here"
"And aren't people foolish to stay
ilIoors?"
"They are-when you are outside =
And why do people have stupit
weddings?'
Because two people are in love 7
! "No. Not alwaysl Do you know
I've just run away from wedding, OIL
rather the preliminaries. The rea
wedding is tomorrow"
He was instantly interested. "Yor
don't say so! And who, pray, is the
bride?"
She told him.
"Ah! And your" he asked. "What
have you to do with 1t all?"
, a." she said. II am In the brida
party"
II am going to confess, too" HI
added. II am In the bridal party also
"What! Your
Eyes. And drawn by the beauty OF
the night ran or just as you did
We're both In the same boat"
She laughed delightfully."-. my sir
is less heinous now" she said, "sinc,
! have company"
"And we are not In the same boat
either, are WEI" he broke in. "But
would like to be If you allow. w,
could have little journey Of our owl
up this wonderful river"
"Id love It," she said. "And II
J show you how substantial I am wher
1t tits" She stood up and held GU
her hand, and as he took 1t she sprant
lightly from one rocking boat to III,
other and settled herself in the low
seat facing him.
"Where TOT" he asked.
Lets go out on the river and"
"Never come back?" he said impet
uously.
"Never come back !! !" she breathed
! A spell was over her-strong, real, en-
! during. She wanted to drift on any
II where, forever and ALWAYS with thi!