m had run away, but was expecting him home from Blue by the
late stage, which would arrive about seven o'clock.

Billy left for home on the five o'clock stage, but before he left he had
a talk with Rita's father.

Soon after Billy's departure, Miss Tousy and a few young lady friends
came to assist at the bride's toilet. It was a doleful party of
bridesmaids in Rita's room, you may be sure; but by seven o'clock she
was dressed. When the task was finished, she said to her friends:--

"I am very tired. I have an hour before the ceremony, and I should like
to sit alone by the window in the dark to rest and think. Please leave
me to myself. I will lock the door, and, Miss Tousy, please allow no one
to disturb me."

"No one shall disturb you, my dear," answered Miss Tousy, weeping as she
kissed her. Then the young ladies left the room, and Rita locked the
door.

Ten minutes later Mr. Bays entered from Tom's room, which was
immediately back of Rita's. A stairway descended from Tom's room to the
back yard.

[Illustration: "'HERE,' REPLIED THE GIRL."]

Mr. Bays kissed Rita, and hastily whispered: "My great-coat, cap, and
gloves are on Tom's bed. Buck is saddled in the stable. Don't ever let
your mother know I did this. Good-by. I would rather die than see you
marry this man and lose Dic. Don't let your mother know," and he hurried
from the room.

Rita went hurriedly into Tom's room and put on the great-coat, made of
coonskins, a pair of squirrel-skin gloves, and a heavy beaver cap with
curtains that fell almost to her shoulders. She also drew over her shoes
a pair of heavy woollen stockings; and thus arrayed, she ran down the
stairway to the back yard. Flurrying to the stable, she led out "Old
Buck," Mr. Bays's riding horse, and galloped forth in the dark, cold
night for a twenty-six mile ride to Billy Little.

Soon after Rita's departure the guests began to assemble. At ten minutes
before eight came Williams. Upon his arrival, Mrs. Bays insisted that
Rita should be called, so she and Miss Tousy went to Rita's door and
knocked. The knock was repeated; still no answer. Then Mrs. Bays
determined to enter Rita's room through Tom's,--and I will draw a veil
over the scene of consternation, confusion, and rage that ensued.

* * * * *

Near the hour of two o'clock in the morning another scene of this drama
was enacted, twenty-six miles away. Billy Little was roused from his
dreams--black nig