The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-02-03
The ESCAPE
BY ANITA REYBURN.

over her evening uIEss " EudAN
against the cool Of the night, passed
ike a shadow from column to column
OF the terrace. passed tall iOwer-dlled
urns, a fountain and statues glisten-
ing white in the moonlight At the
top Of the broad steps that led down
to the river, she paused under a
/ spreading tree.
She hesitated, then started down
I 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 seward
like a great white bird ready for flight.
| She remembered with relief that the
captain and crew were in the house,
having a share in the festivities of the
wedding rehearsal.
The groom was to arrive that eve
ming and the bridal party was assem-
bIed and guests were invited to re-
ceive the wonderful person Of title
who was to wed the family fortune in
exchange for a coronet.
She passed on, spurning launches
and motor boats Of various kinds, and
chosesa rowboat rocking gently on the
easy swell of the river.
Gathering her skirts close, she got
in and pulled a long, easy stroke up
the river. Two miles away was a
favorite haunt Of hers, a fiat, grassy
dell, where willows hung v er a clear
little stream that lost it's identity here
with the big river.
The little boat swung into the
haven as she rested one oar, and slid
10 under the willows. Moonlight fill
tering through the tiny leaves made a
wonderful lacework of shadow on the
water.
1t is f~airyland," breathed the girl
softly, and the place caught the echo
and m it back TO her.
1T is heaven - said the echo and,
To-, the voice was masculinel
She looked around surprised, and
not displeased, 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 Ii
tania."
YES, 1 am Tftania. And who are
you, mysterious stranger?"
"Oberonl Didn't you guess?'
stupid of me, good king of the
fairiesl I don't think / shall call
you Oberon, either. He vas a mis-
chief maker, and led Titania a ter
rible life. Remember how he put the
ass head on the clown and caused
her to fall in love with himP'
THAT isn't a 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, 1
should like to see you" she coaxed.
And then the branches rustled and
a 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,
she felt her heart beating strangely.
Her answer was irrelevant. isn't
this a truly wonderful night?"
1T is-because you are here!"
"And aren't people foolish to stay
indoors?'
They are-when you are outside y
"And why do people have stupid
weddings?'
Because two people are in lover
mo. Not alwaysl Do you know,
I've just run away from a wedding, or
rather the preliminaries. The real
wedding is tomorrow"
He was instantly interested. "You
don't say SO! And who, pray, is the
bride?"
She told him.
"Ahi And your he asked. "What
have you to do with 1t alI?"
81" she said, II am in the bridal
party"
Il am going to confess, too" he
added. Il am In the bridal party also"
what Your
"Yes. And drawn by the beauty of
the night l ran off just as you did.
We're both in the same boat"
She laughed delightfully."-. my sin
10 ACco hClAOuo AOUS ohC SaAo, oAhNN
l nave company"
"And we are not In the same boat,
either, are WEI" he broke In. But /
would like to be IL you allow. We
could have a little journey of our own
up this wonderful river"
I'D love It," she said. "And I'll
show you how substantial / am when
1t tits" She stood up and held out
her hand, and as he took 1t she sprang
lightly from one rocking boat to the
other and settled herself In the low
seat facing him.
where TOT" he asked.
Lets go out on the river and"
"Never come backf" he said impet-
uously.
Never come back III" she breathed.
A spell was over her-strong. real, en-
during. She wanted to drift on any
whara forever and ALWAYS with this