The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-09-30
LORETTE
BY CLARA C. HOLMES.
% 90 NpNpN0N PNpNPAk
t@ by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)

piazza. 1t was not FIVE O'Clock, scarce
ly dawn, yet she had not needed the
alarm to arouse her. Her usually pink
cheeks were crimson, and her dark
eyes were bright as stars as she con-
templated the handsome creature
which Hugh had assured her was to
be hers that day.
At first, she demurred against
Hugh's tactics. ITS not fair to bait
'em and then shoot EN-" she said.
'rd much rather get one honestly
run him down"
When Hugh began to laugh, she de-
cided to say nothing more.
Although Hugh was law student
In Boston, he was a native of the back
woods district, an expert shot, and
he had taught his dazzling cousin to
aim a rifle unerringly. She had never
shot a deer; yet-she could.
When Lorette reached the piazza,
there was nobody there. She uttered
a cry of impotence; then, remember
ing the dance the night before, she sat
down to wait.
As she shivered in the silence, her
mind reverted to her parting with
David. Again she was dining with
him at the Landry cafe, restless under
his reproachful gaze.
"Lorette, I've seen you out several
times recently, in the company OF
someone else. In fact, I've done de-
tective work on my own account. I've
decided not to stand in that other fel-
lows way"
1t was true she had gone out many
times with Cousin Hugh when he was
attending law school; she had been
proud to be escorted by Hugh. 1t was
oil right, too; she could have explained
for him had not Roy Belcher seen her
home from the drama rehearsals. No
apology would do for Roy; SO she
wisely had said nothing.
Now she was dreaming about David
she thought she had met him in the IL
brary Mt home. She gave him only O
cold, passing glance but an expression
| of disappointment clouded his hand
some face, which was so touching, In
deed, that she had awakened.
I "Out so early, Lorie!" Hughs voice
scattered her respondent thoughts.
"What have you for a gunT Hugf
next asked. .i~''i4h.
"My shotgun. Oh" she added in sur
nrise "you have q fife. We cam
hunt with rifles in our state.
eve do back here he returned.
Lorette was intuitively, uneasy, bu
again she said nothing. .a.. .
Cautiously the two people moved o
waited in the stiffness, broken only o.
crumbling leaf or reboundin
branch. At last large deer wa
spied, but he saw or winded his pui
suers and bounded away with prod
gious leaps,
1--WE viii go 10 me Dead, sGssosst
Hugh. Il will patrol one side of tn
stream and you can watch the other.
Loret:e had been alone only shor
time when she plainly saw, two deel
Evidently the animals had seen some
thing or someone, but not her. Lorett
raised her gun and its report rang GU
Il She thought she saw one of the aler
creatures fall, hut the other followe
by the bullets of another gun, bounde
into an alder thicket.
Then Lorette heard-she felt ever
bit of hope leave her-the sound of
mans means.
Spiritless, she stood watching for
sign of Hugh across the river, VIII
an effort at last she raised her frigh
ened voice: rl.g ,.
"Hugh!"a .. -,g wpt
He answered from the log crossin
r little way up stream. "'f'
= He ran into the alder thicket, 10
z cite following him, hut he turned
D her with his face aghast.
c Don't come, don't come" he plea
ed. s.I.. t ID 9I "..r
He tried to wave her back, endea
= ored to tell her that they had made
I mistake, but she pushed by him 81
2 passed on. ..r
S A hunter, wounded, already had
Is moved his coat, and was, trying to st
d the flow of blood. Luckily. Loret
I, knew something about first aid. S
y got the gauze she thoughtfully h
y tucked into her jacket pocket. HUI
a had strong cord aleng with him. ]
a gether they bound up the flesh wour
N Then ,Lorette felt her strength forsf
IS ing her again, She sank into an aid
T. clumpI unconscious. -,
When she revived she heard Hug
a VOice:l' ~, .;.s.Iai .I...t.
W "Youfstay With her. I'll go for D.
Z tor Bliss" ''.'1'' ~. D.
~, ~ She heard hts retreatlng footstt
;ye and opened her eyes. A caresslng vo
VS. treasured her. .,,I ,,,3, t....,
o. Everything is all right, Lorette.
David, how came you hereT
tn Hugh told me. Why didn't you (
he was member of your family, L
ette?" 1'.ia' f"' j.
o. "How came you hereT she I
peated.
X. eat the cub, one day, ! was G
graduating Hugh on his fair lady.
said at length, that you were com