The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-06

tie. Now that Dulcie Duval was out
OF reach she seemed the most desirable
thing in the world. Indeed, from the
| nrst moment she had been desirable.
put he had let the artist in him blind
the lover. He had made himself think
that it was her picture. not herself,
that he wanted
And now that he knew that he loved
her. he felt that he must go 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.
| We are going for q ride early in the
morning" she said Miss Duval and 1.
and want you to go with u.s."
Not tomorrow. Bettylxins," he de-
| INJURED, I've got lot Of things to do.
l am planning to spend the summer in
Betty's dismayed exclamation brought
his sister and Miss .Duval.
He's going away" Betty cried. land
| he 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 Maxtell?' he de-
manded of groom.
"Hulda is lame" said the man, land
| Miss Duval insisted on riding Maxtell.
We tried to get her to have one of the
other mounts, but she wouldn't"
"Maxte1 can't be trusted" said Sher-
wood, sharply. mot with a lady. He
never likes the futter of skirts
ried.
We'll, get Buckner Belle ready"
them So
AS he cantered down to the gate. a
boy met him with a telegram. Without
looking at the address, Sherwood tore
it open, then as a half dozen words
confronted him, he saw that 1t was not
for him, but for Miss Duval-her hus-
band was dead, her lawyer wired, and
she must come at once.
In that moment the whole world
changed for Sherwood. He knew that
1t was unseemly for him to grow light
hearted because of the death Of fell
low creature. But for her II 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 q way that
spelled danger.
And even as Sherwood looked, MaxtelI
bolted! .-. n
And after him. like a shot. went
Buckner Belle.
The big horse was not a match for
the brilliant mare, and presently Sher-
wood was beside Dulcie, his hand on
Maxtelrs bride.
Maxtell. meek as a lamb at the sound
OF the well known voice, stopped so sud-
denly that Dulcie swayed and slipped
from his back inertly Sherwood, drop
ping the brides, caught her In his arms.
"Dulcie." he said. impulsive1y. Dull
Gle, dear
She opened her eyes. Please" she
said family, "let me go. You must
not"
Hush he said. you are not strong
enough to stand alone, and you have a
right here. You are free at last. dear
heart
Her startled eyes met his. How"
she questioned.
He is dead" he said, quietly, you
are to go to Kentucky this afternoon,
Betty's mother will go with you"
He released her then and went on In
steady tones.
But you will come back. Dulcie.
When you feel that 1t il right-you Will
come back--to me?"
Betty was pounding down the road
on the sturdy mare. Dulcie looked UP
at Sherwood. strong and grave between
the beautiful horses.
YES" she said. and suddenly her
face was illumined, yes. 1 will come
back. and you shall paint me-your
Lady of the Hlacs. '"-(Copyrighted.
1908, by Associated Literary Press.)