The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-07-24
WAS A OZARK HORSE"
Ey BELLE MANDATES.

a couple of weeks now Just as we'll as
not. There is a good golf links, boat
ing, and I have three pretty daugh-
tiers, and"
81 certainly can't refuse such al.
Turing inducements, Iaughted Thorn
ton, land l trust, Mr. Darnley, I
won't be trespassing too much on
your hospitality and the good nature
of your HOUSEHOLD by accepting an i'm
promptu invitation"
The household is an unconventional
one, and delights in opening doors
wide when a friend knocks" replied
the elder man, taking down the tele-
phone.
Hello, This you, Madge? Mr..
Thornton is N town-you have often
heard me speak of him. I have per-
suaded him to remain over and pay
us visit. Yes, he'll come home with
me tonight" After the transaction
of some business which had brought
Roger Thornton. the son of an old
college friend of Mr. Darnley's, to the
city they took a suburban train to
the latter's country home
The house looks rather forbid
ding" observed Mr. Darnley, as they
came up the graveled road, but the
girls detest lights in summer. l pre-
sumo they are back in the garden.
Sit down here on the porch and l
will gather them up.
Rogers heard a light football be-
hind him. Then two soft arms en-
circled his neck, velvety cheek was
laid against his own. and a beautiful
voice murmured tenderly:
What made you so late, dear?'
Roger sat like man dazed,
stunned by the touch of lips and
cheek. After a throbbng silence he
half whispered:
Il beg your pardon"
There was a Mortified exclamation,
swift withdrawal of arms, and the
sound of vanishing skirts.
In a distant part OF the house he
heard echoes of mirthful laughter
Presently Darnley came out of the
house
After proving all over the
grounds. ! found the girls in the din
ing-room preparing a chatting dish
luncheon for us Come in and meet
them
In the dining-room Roger was pre-
sented to the three girls. In vain he
looked into the roguish faces seeking
some tell-tale token. But not a sign
OF confusion or enlightenment did he
receive
q must tell you a good joke. Thorn
ton" laughed Darnley The girls
supposed it was your father l was
to bring home with me-"
Indeed! And was | also supposed
to be my father when sat out on the
porch just now" he asked, mean
ingly
There was a trio of laughing voices
and knowing glances.
NO. You were thought to be me-"
explained Darnley See if you can
guess which one made the embar-
RAISING error"
There is but one way in which I
can decide that matter" replied Rog-
er, gravely.
How" demanded the trio.
Il must close my eyes. and each
one of you can in turn come up be
hind he and repeat the error, Then,
| might decide"
This was positively and laughing
ly declined. After a marry evening,
Roger retired. unable to decide which
of these beautiful young women he
thought the most charming. The next
day and evening found him still I'M
decided. and also in the dark as to
who had bestowed upon him the fleet
Ing embrace
On the third evening of his visit,
Marie Loveridge. niece of Mr..
Darnley's, arrived to pay visit. She
was type altogether different from
her light-hearted laughterloving
cousins
BY one or two skillful moves,
Roger drew her apart from the gay
crowd and sought secluded retreat
in the rose garden.
DO you know" he said suddenly,
q had very strange experience the
first night of my arrival here"
THAT was before I came" remind
ed Marie
Mr. Darnley left me on the porch
while he went in search of his fam.
ily and while | waited there alone in
the darkness. I felt two soft arms
about my neck a cheek laid against
mine, and a light kiss. and the most
beautiful voice | ever heard say:
What made you so late, DEAR When
I spoke, she fed. Marie. from the
first moment l saw you. | knew ii
must have been you who came to me
there in the darkness and taught me
what love might be-"
But" she said, her voice trem-
bling, you know | did not come I'M
til two days later"
Il know. But still it was you-in a
dream, perhaps, but, Marie, will you
not make the dream come true? Can
you not love me-
With a little, glad laugh. she
turned to him. and he held her in
his arms.
Roger" she said, presently, 81
came a day before your arrival. and
stole out that night, thinking to-
meet Uncle viii and reproach him
for being so late. When | found my
mistake, ! ran in and told the girls,
and begged them to keep my secret
They We're lovely not to betray me-
but every time | was alone with you
! was conscious of what I had done"
$50 was |. Marie" he replied.
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