Williston graphic., 1918-09-12
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: OUT OF THE FOG y :
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- n. Nee. MILLER.

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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 pungent, penetrating, almost
OverpOwering smell. He had loved Il
az he set out that morning for day
long tramp. II he had been weather
wise he would have stayed at the log
tavern Notwithstanding its rough fare
and hack Of comfort.
"Fallin' weather, shore as shootin'-
but reckon ye be neither sugar nel
salt" the landlord had said with Q
glum face, vet half smiling, as he took
pay for his entertainment Willard
had been glad to get away-so glad
It 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 hickered 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
80 afraid! Say something-quick-
have felt lost this last hour"
II am here. all right enough" vii.
lard began. The voice interrupted joy.
onsly: '.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. 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: 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 tiny bare hand with
in his free one. Clearly she mfstook
him for the laggaTd 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
as the footing was, he went calamity.
up hill, down dell, along levels of slip
perry clay surface. Presently he whin-
MED, keen and shrill, and was an
swercd from afar. At the sound, he
struck into gallop, left the beaten
road, and cut across open woodland.
leaped q ragged brush fence edging
1t, and held on to darker blur, evi.
IDENTIFY q stable. Once again he called
to be answered in several keys. Al
most before they knew It. he fetched
up plump against q paddock fence
across which heads were thrust in
welcome.
"A flickering lantern showed groom
approaching them-his figure gnome'
like in the light. "Whut all you done
brung back yere, ole Selfm?' he cried
affably. II knows 20 whicker-fur az
I kin hear It,"
.sTell your master it's-the runaway
couple-to come quick-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 it 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 up! Don't ex.
pect me to 60 out in the wet, do ye?"
Selim was duly guided to space
yard in front Of him, and held steady
under tight rein. while the mar
riage service was gone through. As
Willard passed over handsome fee,
the parson said: "Better spell your
name fer me. John, SOS 1 may git the
record plumb right. Baptis' Broth.
er Turrentine'll make big howdy-doo
over this piece of work-and upset it
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 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 house of
fair size a little way off the road.
without word Willard made for it.
as silently, as masterfully he lifted
Ethel down, and started to knock, but
the door flew open before then. In
side an anxious, white-haired woman
..ried to them: "Ethel! Dear. how
die you get here? Thank God-in
time"
Inside a man lay gasping his last,
roS,