The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-06-24
A NATIVE"
By N. LOUISE CUMlHINS
Copyright, 1903. by 7. c. Mcclure.

| L4tAIt' anu SNpPCA ASI ~A-' " N~tO ''~'Al
ready"
The voice came with a pleasantly
suggestive clink Of dishes through the
screen door to where Gertrude Wood
ford stood under a large elm.
Il think the train is in" she an
-wcred. entering the cool. pleasant
| house in answer 10 her mothers call.
For the lands sake" Mrs Wood
ford turned to her handmade and gave
an order with some asperity. Keeping
summer boarders was really the one
excitement Of her dull life. eagerly
looked forward to during the long win
ter months when her daughter pursued
her musical career in the city and she
lived alone on the rugged Cape.
Small this year, aren't they" she
said, watching her daughters pretty
bent head and referring to the fruit.
Not more so than usual" the girl
laughed.
We'll, | don't care" Mrs. WoOdford
declared Mr.. Garst says he never
tasted sweeter peaches. and as to Mr..
Clifford
Who's trifing with my august APP
pellatiOn?" called a gay voice as a
gOung fellow swung himself on to the
piazza. Miss WoOdford, don't know
which l shall devOur first you or the
peaches, I'm so rayenOus"'
Il was just going to say that your
appetite was all right anyhow" Mrs.
WoOdfOrd laughed. Did your cousin
come down with yOu?" she added.
Yes, Garst got as far as the ham
mock and collapsed"
Go and call him, Gertrude. Supper
is ready" her mother said.
The girl rose and went through the
hall. Inside the door she paused, look
ing with darkening eyes at the man
who lay full length in the hammock.
The slight clash of the screen as she
stepped outside caused him to turn.
He sprang up at once and came toward
her, showing a strong, clean Shaven
face and figure singularly muscular
in spite Of the fact that be walked
with a slight limp.
1t is heavenly here after even
day in town." he said. Il have just
been thinking that the most marvel
GUS changes in our lives come when
we least expect them. | wonder il
you know what this summer has been
to me"'
He was looking gravely into her
eyes, and the color mounted to her tenn
pies.
stephen. the fish is getting cold
his cousin called impatiently. and Ger
trude went quickly into the house.
In compliance with previous prom
Use to Jack Clifford she went with him
after supper to see the sunset from
hill near by. When they were seated
on bOwlder watching the vast sweep
of ocean and crimsOning sky she turn
ed suddenly to her companion.
why is Mr.. Garst lameT' she asked
gently.
We'll. | suppose it won't do any
harm to tell yOu," Jack hesitated,
though we never speak Of il when he
is present His leg was crushed in
railway accident trying TO save the
girl TO whom he was engaged"
did he save her."
yes"
Then why were they not married.
"Oh. she threw him over for a man
twice his age and the trifing adjunct
of S3,0O0,OOO"'
Gertrude WOOdford drew her breath
sharply.
"She tried TO stuff it down Stephens
throat that she was sacrificing herself
to save her father from financial ruin,
and think he believed her." Jack
went on. Then she attempted a
platOnic correspondence with him aft
er her marriage, but be would have
none OF it. All the same l don't be-
lieve he has ever quite forgotten her.
Anyway, he could not do so now, even
If be would"
What do you mean?"
"'For she is come. for she is here
as Jean Ingelow says in The Letter
L."
"Here?"
Eyes, at the Ocean View. l saw her
on the piazza tonight as / came up
from the train. Handsomer than ever,
by Jove! Tall woman. with bronze
hair"
"Bronzed, you mean. 1 saw her ar.
rive this morning" Gertrude said cold
ly.
The old man very considerably
'shuffied off this mortal COLI two years
ago, leaving her complete mistress of
his millions" Jack rambled on. my
own opinion is that this alighting next
door to where she knew Stephen was
staying in the subdued attractiveness
Of second mourning is the beginning of
the end. You should have seen him
start when he saw her on the botel
piazza tonight"
Gertrude rose quickly.
How cold it is up here" she said,
with shiver. LET US get back to the
house"
A group from the summer hotels and
cottages was standing near Mrs. Wood.
ford's house watching the sunset when
they descended. Gertrude would have
passed on. but Jack Clifford detained
-. L 4