Smyrna times., 1908-08-26

AOASe' 6er husband had been heT
tather's choice, not her own.
I'VE were rich," she explained. bur
after my fathers death my husband
spent everything we had. and l was
very unhappy. So l ran away and
TOOK my maiden name. And that is
why l do not want my picture to ap-
pear. l do not want him to find me
ever"
she said it vehemently, with a little
nush on her cheeks. MY father said
love would come" she went on hur-
riedly, "but it did not. felt for
Betty's sake l ought to tell you. It's
such unpleasant history that you
might not care to have me with her so
much"
Sherwood flung up his head. Sud
denly it seemed to him that there was
nothing that he so much wished to do
as to shelter her from misfortune.
Betty will always be honored by
your presence, as we all areas we
shall always be- he said, and she
smiled at him and held out her hand.
Somehow felt that l had found a
friend she said simply. "That is why
told you. 1t seemed best, and l knew
you would understand"
That afternoon Sherwood went for a
long ride on his favorite horse, Max
tell, and during that ride he fought a
battle. Now that Dulcie Duval was
out of reach she seemed the most desir-
able thing in the world. Indeed. from
the first moment she had been desira-
BILE, but he had let the artist in him
blind the lover. He had made himself
think that it was her picture, not her
self, that he wanted.
And now that he knew that he loved
her he felt that he must 20 away
! back to Paris to the studio-to the
dreams that had of late been partially
submerged in his practical plans for
Sherwood farm.
When he came back that night, Betty
met him on the porch
I'VE are going for ride early in the
morning" she said, Miss Duval and L.
and want you to go with u.s."
Not tomorrow, Bettykins," he de-
INJURED. I've got a lot of things to
do. l am planning to spend the sum-
mer in Paris"
Betty sdismayed exclamation brought
his sister and Miss Duval.
Hes going away" Betty cried, land
ne doesn't know when he will come
back"
And Sherwood, watching the face OF
the Lady of the Lilacs, saw it grow
pale. and his heart leaped at the
thought that she cared.
In the early morning from his bed
room window he saw them ride away.
Five minutes later he was at the
stables. How does it happen that
Miss Duval is riding MaxtellY' he de
manded of a groom.
''Hulda is lame" said the man. land
Miss Duval insisted on riding MaxteIl.
We tried to get her to have one of the
other mounts, but she wouldn't"
'Maxtell can't be trusted" said
Sherwood sharply, mot with lady
He never likes the flutter of skirts"
81 know, SIR" The man looked wor
ried.
well, get Buckner Belle ready" ;"
Sherwood ordered, "and I'll go after
them"
As he cantered down to the gate a
boy met him with a telegram. With
out looking at the address, Sherwood
tore it open, then as a half dozen
words confronted him he saw that il
was not for him. but for Miss Duval
| ha 1or
wired, and she must come at once.
In that moment the whole world
changed for Sherwood. He knew that
it was unseemly for him to grow
light hearted because Of the death of a
fellow creature. But for her it meant
freedom, for him happiness.
He paid the boy and spurred his
horse to greater speed, and at last he
saw ahead Of him Betty on a sturdy
little mare; Dulcie, holding in Maxtell
who danced along the road in a way
that spelled danger.
And even as Sherwood looked Max
tell bolted!
And after him, like a shot, went
Buckner Belle.
| The big horse was not a match fol
the brilliant mare, and presently Sher
wood was beside Dulcie, his hand OIL
Maxtell's bride.
Maxtell, meek as a lamb at the sound
Of the well known voice, stopped sc
suddenly that Dulcie swayed and slip
ped from his back inertly. Sherwood
dropping the brides. caught her in his
arms.
'Dulcie," he said impulsively; "Dul
Gle, dear!'
She opened her eyes. please" she
said family, ''let me CO. You must
not"
"Hush!' he said. 'You are not strong
enough to stand alone. and you have
right here. You are free at last
dear heart"
Her startled eyes met his. "How?'
she questioned.
''He is dead" he said quietly. "You
Rre to go to Kentucky this afternoon
Betty's mother will go with you"