The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-09-17
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Iu6 II ain L Adu ISIL SldAuluS Dt
station. l glanced back once, anu
thought I saw Richard come to the
door Of the car Then | stumbled on
blindly. don't remember any more
until l found myself hurrying along
that dark passage under the bridge and
saw you just ahead. | was afraid to
speak to you. but did not know
what else to do. and you were so good
to me-" Her voice broke in little
sob.
All the time she had been talking
he had held her hand firmly. She had
forgotten that any one might be watch
ing; he did not care.
The tall girl with the disconnected
upper lip went to the matron and told
her that she thought the man and the
woman in the parlor ought to be made
20 go. She believed the man was try
ing to coax the girl to do something
she didn't want to do. The matron
started on a voyage of discovery up
the hall and down again, with pene-
trating glances into the room, but the
two did not see her.
"Oh, my poor dear little girl.'
breathed the man. And you have
passed through all this awful expert
ence alone! Why did you not tell me
about it? I could have helped you
am lawyer"
4 thought you would be on your
guard at once and watch for evidences
of my insanity. / thought perhaps you
would believe it true, and would feel it
necessary to return me to my friends.
I think | should have been tempted
to do that, perhaps, if any one had
come to me with such a story
One could not do that after seeing
and talking with you. l never could
have believed it. Surely no reputable
physician would lend his influence to
put you in an asylum, yet know such
things have been done. Your cousin
must be a desperate character. shall
not feel safe until you belong to me.
saw two men hanging about Mr. Phi
lips house last evening as l went IN.
They were looking up at the windows
and talking about keeping a close
watch on some one named Mary. One
Of the men was tall and slight and
handsome, with dark hair and eyes;
he other was Irish. and wore a coat
100 large for him, and rubbers. went
back later in in the evening, and the
Irishman was Lovering about the
house"
The girl looked up with frightened
eyes and grasped the arms of her
chair excitedly.
viii you go with me now to
church not far away, where friend of
mine is the pastor, and be married?
Then we can defy all the cousins in
creation. Can't you trust me?" he
pleaded.
oh, yes, but
rs it that you do not love me?'
NO" she said, and her eyes
dropped shyly. 1T seems strange that
[ dare to say it to you when l have
! known you so little" She lifted her
eyes. full of a wonderful love light,
| and she was glorifted to him, all mean
| " dressed though she was. The smooth
Madonna braids around the shapely
! head, covered by the soft felt hat,
! seemed more beautiful to him than all
| the elaborate head-dresses of modern
/ time
w mere - IuS Jul IASLs NCe1A
Shall we go now?"
! How can l go in this dress?' She
! looked down at her shabby shoes,
/ rough black gown, and cheap gloves
! in dismay, and soft pink stole into
! her face.
| You need not. Your own gown is
out in the office in my suitcase.
brought it with me, thinking you might
need it-hoping you might, ! mean"
and he smiled. Il have kept it always
near me; partly because l wanted the
| comfort of it, partly because l was
afraid some one else might find it, and
| desecrate our secret with their COM
mon-place wondering"
| It was at this moment that the ma
| tron of the building stepped up to the
absorbed couple. resolved to do her
duty. Her lips were pursed to their
thinnest, and displeasure was in her
| face
The young man arose and asked in
grave tone:
| Excuse me, but can you tell me
whether this lady can get a room here
to rest for a short time, while l go
out and attend to a matter of bust
| ness?"
| Continued on Page Eight
| - - 49,