Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-02-24

J am going downtown, children
ana VIII be gone about an hour" sal
Marcia, forgetting the letter to he
girl friend which SHE had slipped int
the pocket of her dress she had JUS
discarded.
Little Vera clapped her hands II
rare delight as her sister left tn,
house.
"Now, then, we've got whole hon
to play 'companyn" she announced Il
her companion. Come upstairs ant
we'll dress up like real full-grown la
dies"
inside of five minutes a queer pro
cesslon came through the front door
and crossed the garden. Vera led
them past the garden, across lane
and crept under the bars Of fence
guarding grazing field.
Now, this Is a fash-n'ble summer
resort, on'erstan'w said Vera. an
be a princess, sitting under that tree
yonder."
Meantime Rolfe Durward, with n
halliday vacation before him, pocket
ed his letter and proceeded to take a
stroll. OF course the Westbrook home
was a magnet, the way his thoughts
ran.
A whimsical smile crossed his face
as he passed by the field and caught
sight Of the mimic court scene In
progress beyond the rail fence.
Arrayed In a red plush cape and
seated in great grandeur under the
tree, Vera was receiving her company
in true dlgnlfied style.
She had found the letter In Mar
cla's dress pocket.
This is an invite from my friend
the queen" she was saying, and end
cd the pretentious declaration In
scream of mortal terror.
Vera sprang to her feet. She
grabbed her little companions, one
with each hand.
"Oh, hurry hurry!" she cried. TITS
the mad COW loosem
In a flash Rolfe Durward took In
the scene, turned suddenly from tray-
esty TO tragedy.
There was no question Of the peril
Of the children; he saw that at
glance. He reached their side and
tore the red cape from the shoulders
Of the terrorlzed Vera.
"Run-quick Fast" he ordered
get past the fence"
Then he turned, waving the red
token Of defiance to the advancing ami
NAL. As he had hoped and expected,
II diverted its course and came lung.
ing towards him.
Just leaping the fence, Rolfe was
gra2ed by the bulky head Of the IN
furiated animal. One sharp horn tore
a ridge clear up one forearm and he
landed with a wrench on the ground |
beyond the fence.
Rolfe saw some neighbors take the
children home and two men capture
the mad animal.
The signet ring had slipped from
Veras finger and he secured this. An
open letter and a photograph lay
where she had abandoned it.
With start of incredulity Rolfe
recognized the portrait as his own. 1t
must have been secured from the vii
age photographer. And then his
glance fell upon the open letter to
dew hls own name, few words only
With It, but enough to instantly fill
Ms soul with the most extravagant JOY.
He was overwhelmed with express
lions Of gratitude us he reached the
house where Marcia was coddllng the
frightened little ones.
81 also found these" he said, hand
NJ Marcia the signet ring and the
etter, as ne had discovered it, open.
"You-you-read,' fluttered Marcia.
81 could not help but see my name |
md few words with 1t, and-I am
lad"
She flushed crimson. He thrilled.
by strange coincidence" he said,
lis voice trembling, | also wrote let
er today, still unmailed. 1t Is only
mir that you should see It."
Her hands shook as she glanced
ver It, Her eyes met his They
rooped, hut glowed.
"DD not send 1t" she whispered,
nd ran into the home in happy con-
usion.