The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-12-07
IN IA EE - "a "a n ~ - ~ AUm
: OUT Of The FOG f.
BY M. Mec. MILLER.


VAAHAAAAAAAAW
Willard sighted relief as the cross
roads signpost loomed through the |
fog. He was lost in 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 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 ye 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 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.
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
girls voice vainly crying, hushedly,
J yet anxiously: "Are you there? 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. 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 q little relieved sigh,
saying: 1T would have killed me
not to find you waiting. Yes-killed
me. The shame Of going to meet a
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 a tiny bare hand with
in his free one. Clearly she mistook
him for the laggard with whom she
had planned to elope-as clearly 1t
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 weight carrier
also evidently built for hunter. Bad
as the footing was, he went gallantly,
up hill, down dell, along levels Of slip
perry clay surface. Presently he whin-
MED, keen and shrill, and was an
swered from afar. At the sound, he
struck into a gallop. left the beaten
road, and cut across open woodland
leaped a ragged brush fence edging
1t, and held on to a darker blur, evil
J IDENTIFY stable. Once again he called
to be answered in several keys. AL
most before they knew 1t, he fetched
up plump against paddock fence
dCrOSS WuiCu ucuuo WcAC iii uSe Ia
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. II knows 70 whicker-fur as
/ kin hear 1t"
"Tell your master it's-the runaway
-ko ANNA nntcl-v,ffh tho H.
: cense-he has tive won't get down, -
the girl cried. clinging to Willard, her
. voice tense and edged. Here, indeed.
il was a crisis. Suddenly 1t flashed on
Il him that, as her husband, he might be
= able to rid her of home tyrants. So
d when the minister called to them from
. his back piazza, "Ride up! Don't ex-
. pect me to 60 out in the wet, do ye?''
Q Selim was duly guided to a space a
h yard in front of him, and held steady
h under a tight rein, while the mar
v riage service was gone through. As
IS Willard passed over handsome fee,
'i the parson said: 'Better spell your
10 name fer me, John SOS may git the
n record plumb right. Baptis' Broth
e er Turrentinerl make a big howdy-doo
over this piece of work-and upset II
ef he can-don't want to give him q
chance"
"Follow this, then the spelling is
bound to be right" Willard said, hand
ing over a card.
The fog was lifting slightly, the rain
Stacked. Reluctantly Selim went
around to the house, down a ragged
lawn. to a stretch Of turnpike that
showed like a tunnel In the gloom
Night had fallen-a few stars peeped
through. Also lights from a house OF
fair size a little way off the road
Without a word Willard made for it
as silently, as masterfully he lifted
Ethel down. and started to knock, but
the door few open before them. In.
side an anxious, white-haired woman