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


store for Nan, something no true wo-
mans heart could resist. He had sue
ceeded after Incredible difficulties in
secretly building cottage by the sea
In Brooklyn. Its lawn sloped to the
waters edge. and trim boat lay nod
ding at the dock. Neither Mrs. Prim-
rose nor Nan had the faintest suspi-
cion OF what he had been doing.
Tomorrow he would lead his sweet
heart into this holy of holes of life.
the home love had built. He could see
now the smile of tenderness break
over her proud face as he should hand
her the keys and ask her to fix the
wedding day.
His reveries were broken by a timid
knock on the door and faint call:
Jim
"Come i'm he cried.
You're not a bit glad to see me-"
the soft voice said. i've been stand
ing out there for ages
Forgive me. Sunshine. ] must have
been dreaming" Stuart pleaded. leap
ing from his seat and Selling her hand
I'm awfully glad to see your
Then don't call me that name
again." she pouted.
But isn't it beautiful"
at would be if my hair wasn't red
and | didn't have freckles and was
older" she protested. looking away to
hide her emotion.
But your hair isn't quite red, Har-
riet. It's just the color of the gold
in honeycomb," he answered. gently
touching her disheveled locks. BE
sides. those few little freckles are be-
coming or your pink and white skin.
and you are nearly fifteen. Well, I'll
just say. little pail How's that?"
That's better" she said, with a
smile and sigh.
"Oh. jim, I've been SO dreadfully
lonely since you were away! / de-
clare. Jim. I'll die If you go away
again. just can't stand it."
Stuart smilingly took her hand.
Lonely. Miss Chatterbox. when that
big father of yours worships the very
ground you walk on"
Yes. know he does. Jim. and | love
him, too. but you've no idea how
dreadfully still the house is when you
are gone. oh. say. want you to be
real boarder and eat with us. OF
course You will"
THAT would be very nice. dear. but
I'm sure your father would draw the
line at Il real boarder. Id never have
got this beautiful room with that
big old fashioned open fireplace in your
home if it hadn't happened that our
fathers fought each other in the war
and became friends one day on big
battlefield. It's been a second home to
| me-
BE our boarder and I'll make it a
real home for you, Jim" she pleaded.
"Ah-you'll be making a real home
some day for one of those boys I saw
at your birthday party-the tall. dark
one. | think?'
mo. He doesn't measure up to my
standard"
What ails him?"
Hes coward My hero must be
brave. for I'm timid'
Then it will be that fat blond fellow
with jolly laugh?"
mo; he's a fibber. My prince, when
he comes, must be truthful. It's so
hard for me always to tell the truth"
'"Then it will be that dreamy look
ing one of fifteen you danced with
twice"
"No. he's too frail My hero must be
strong. for | am weak. And he must
hi 90 81
Is very small-just little home nest
and baby and the love of one man.
I'm not sure about that being such
very small ideal. grille
but. oh, my! I've forgotten what /
| came running home for Papa sent me
to ask you Ito please come down to the
factory right away. He wants to see
you on a very important matter. 1t
must be awfully important. He look
ed so worried. l don't think 1 ever saw
him worried before
"lll 20 at once" Stuart said.
He strobe rapidly across town to-
ward the Bowery. through Fourth
street. wondering what could have hap
pened to break the accustomed good
The doctor had long since retired
from the practice Of medicine as Il
profession and only used it now as his
means of miniStering to the wants of
his neighborS. His neighbors were a
large tribe. however. scattered all the
way from the cellars and dives of Wa
ter street to the shanties and goat
ranges of the upper Harlem. Stuart
had never met man so full of con-
tagious health. He was u born physi-
clan. There was healing in the touch
of his big hand. Healing light stream
ed from his brown eyes. and his iron
gray beard sparkled with it, His
presence in n sickroom seemed to fill
it with waves of life. and his influence
over the patients to whom he minis
tered was little short of hypnotic.
Stuart found the doctor standing at
the door of his factory. shaking hands
and chatting with his employees as
they emerged from the building at the
close of days work. plain old
fashioned brick structure just off the
Bowery was this factory. and across
the. front ran a weatherbeaten sign
which had not been changed for more
than fifty years: Henry Woodman.