The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-11-19

and princess. / call her Sunshine
Her name is Harriet Woodman
But. Jim. suppose I'm not ambi-
tious? Suppose I'm just a silly little
homebodv. who only wishes TO be
loved? How old do you think a girl
must be TO really and deeply and truly
love. JIM
Stuart's brow contracted. and he took
her hand in his. stroked it tenderly and
studied the beautiful lines as they
melted from the firmly shaped wrist
into the rounded arm and gracefully
nodded body.
I'm afraid you've asked a bigger
question than I can answer. dear" he
said. with serious accent. I've been
wondering lately whether the world
hasn't lost the secret Of happy mating
and marrying A more beautiful even
fife have never seen than the one in
the home Of my childhood. Yet my
mother was only fourteen and my IA
Their twenty-one when they were mar
ried Now folks only allow themselves
to marry in cold blood. calculating with
accuracy their bank accounts. My
mother had been married six months
at your age. and yet here l sit on a
pedestal and have the hnpudence to
talk 10 you as a child
But you're not impudent, Jim." she
broke in eagerly. land l understand"
I'm beginning to wonder" Stuart
continued. whether nature made a
mistake when she made woman as she
is | once knew girl Of fifteen to
whom | believe life was the deepest
tragedy or the highest joy Of which her
heart will ever be capable. Else why
did the blood come and go so quickly
in her cheeks:"
A sudden hush mantled Harriet's
face. and she turned away that he
might not see. Stuart's head bent low
and rested between his hands.
i loved such little girl once.
dear
Harriet's face suddenly flushed with
jOv. |. WAS too wonderful to be true,
but ii MAS true. And be had chosen
this curious way to tell her. Her voice
sank Ia the softest whisper as she bent
closer:
And Won love her still limp
His head drOoped lower as he sighed:
Il loved and lost her, little pal. She
was married TWO days ago. She came
to the great city. learned its ways and
sold herself for gold"
The color had slowly returned TO the
little freckled face with it's crown of
golden hair. and the deep brown eyes
oyertOWed with tears for just mo-
ment. she brushed them away before
be raised his head. so that he never
knew.
I'm 80 sorry. Jim" she said simply.
Il understand now"
Its very sweet to have you share
this ugly secret of my life. little pal
1t will help me-"
And you are sorry you ever knew
her. JimT"
NO. I'm not sorry. I've grown to
see that there's just one thing in the
world that's really big-big as God is
big The man who has attained char
acter | haven't lived at all yet I'm
Just beginning 10 see what il means 10
live Until now I've thought only Of
myself \ new light has illumined the
way Now I'm going TO live for 9th
ers From today | shall ask nothing
for myself. and | can never be disap-
pointed again
Harriet ionkrd UP quickly.
Would il uipa>t, YOU. Jim. if should
make Il great singer
More taan can tell you. dear
Your vu.re j. Il divine gift. ] envy you
its power
Her eyes ware shining with a great
purrrf~r
II knn:. that il means years and
wears uf patient work. hut I'll do it,.
she cried
When the last echo of his footStep
in the hail abo.e died away and his
door he'd closed the little golden head
bowed low I'D IA passionate tender
prayer:
God help ne TO keep my secret and
yet to love and help him always"
Continued Tomorrow