The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-12-26
"a A "a "a IA Ah hhAh hH
: OUT OF THE Fog


VAhAh - - - - - - NV
Willard sighted relief as the cross
roads signpost loomed 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 a pungent, penetrating, almost
overpOwering smell. He had loved it
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 shootin'-
but reckon We be neither sugar ner
salt" the landlord had said with a
glum face. yet half smiling, as he took
pay for his entertainment. Willard
had been glad to get away-so glad
1t amazed him now that he could re-
vert longlngly 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.
Once they had been lettered boldly. In
clear daylight the lettering might still
be legible. He felt for matches, struck
one-it flickered out. When he sought
another his case proved to be empty.
AS he heard rapid hoof beats, then q
girls voice vainly crying, hushedly,
yet anxiously: "Are you there? I was
so afraid! Say something-quick-I
have felt lost this last hour"
II am here, all right enough" Will
lard began. The voice interrupted Joy
ously: "Then make haste and get up
before me. I couldn't get the other
horse-but Selim carries double-and
won't mind the weight. He knows the
way. 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 a little relieved sigh,
saying: ut would have killed me-
not to find you waiting. Yes-killed
me. The shame Of going to meet q
laggard sweetheart! Oh! You must |
be good to me always"
II 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. |
Selim was indeed a weight carrier
also evidently built for a hunter. Bad
IS the footing was, he went calamity,
up hill, down dell, along levels Of Slip
perry clay surface. Presently he whin-
1led, keen and shrill, and was an
'wered from afar. At the sound, he
struck into gallop, left the beaten
'oad, and cut across open woodland,
eaped a ragged brush fence edging
{, and held on to a darker blur, evi-
lently 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
lcross which heads were thrust In
Welcome.
A Pickering lantern showed q groom
approaching them-his figure gnome-
Ike in the light. "Whut all you done
'rung back yere. ole Selim2" he cried
ffably. ~ knows 70 whicker-fur as
kin hear it."
"Tell your master it's-the runaway
ouple-to come Quick-with the IL
ense-he has tive won't get down."
be girl cried, clinging to Willard, her
oice tense and edged. Here, indeed,
'as crisis. Suddenly It flashed on
i'm that, as her husband, he might be
BILE to rid her Of home tyrants. So
hen the minister called to them from ,
is back piazza, "Ride upi Don't ex-
ect me to 60 out In the wet, do yer"
elm was duly guided to a space a
ard In front Of him, and held steady
nder a tight rein, while the mar
age service was gone through. As
7illard passed over handsome fee,
le pars0n said: Better spell your
anne fer me, John, SOS I may git the
cord plumb right. Baptis' Broth
Turrentinem make big howdy-doo
yer this piece Of work-and upset IL
he can-don't want to give him q }
lance"
'Tollow this, then the spelling Is
,und to be right" willard said, hand
3 over a card.
The fog was lifting slightly. the rain
acked. Reluctantly Selim went ]
'ound to the house. down q ragged
wn. to a stretch Of turnpike that
lowed like a tunnel in the gloom.
lght had fallen-a few stars peeped !
rough. Also lights from q house Of J
ir size a little way OF the road. {
ithout word Willard made for it,
silently, as masterfully he lifted
.hel down, and started to knock, but J
e door few open before them. In &
lie an anxious, white-haired woman
led to them: "Ethell Dear, how
d you get here3 Thank God-in !
ne." &
Inside man lay gasping his last
st speech but not past consciousness.