The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-23


evident sincerity that she was content
But why this air of permanenceT
Because this is to be home Of
course we shall be In the Steel city dur
ing the winter. with a month in New
York for the opera But this is home
Il seems lonely and out of the way
now. suppose. but that won't last
long. The Sangers have bought the
place next to this The F1icks. and
maybe the HAYES. are coming. Wen
soon have our own little colony"
"And the siege of New York;
"a foolish expedition from which we
have discreetly retreated." Her laugh
did not ring quite so free as usual
She continued: 1T was humiliating
toadying to people who despfse you for
your presumption" The crimson rush
ed resentfuIly to her cheeks He said
nothing.
'@Thank you for not asking ques
tons It's foolish for me to be so sensi-
tive about II, but"-she shrugged her
shoulders "our experience wasn't
pleasant. like the new rich like
to meet men who are doing things who
are making their own conquests. not
living on the fruits of others con
quests"
he sat silent To win. always to
win. was the sum of this girls philoso
ply, with no thought of its cruelty or
realization that for every victor there
must be many losers. And wealth.
power, the things a man had. were the
badge of his victory
She was laughing at him. What do
you think when you retire into yourself
so rudeiy7 Anything profitable or In
terestingY'
'I'm afraid not. Do you think win.
ming is all Of life2''
''Isn't it7''
'FNo," he cried There is the use of
strength, IL one Is strong. to support
the weak He paused abruptly, con
Bcious OF the triteness and futility of
his words, with the shyness of the man
who, self conscious without conceit.
fears to uncover his ideals before un-
sympathetic eyes.
ooh, John Dunmeade," she replied
impatiently. you're so disappointing.
with your schoolboy platitudes.'
He made no answer; the quick red
rushed to his face And why should
she interest herself In his ideals?
long, troubled silence fell between
them.
'John," she said suddenly. was 1t
necessary for you to criticise and quar-
rel with my father2"
II did not criticise him." he respond
al .rVrFrylu Rbn~o &C. u1ov.rnI
that am aware Of. We merely diff
fered in opinion on a business matter.
each believing he was right"
'WllI you tell me why you think him
wrong7'
He found his lips sealed. 81 haven't
criticised him." he said gravely, land
can't begin now, especially to his
daughter"
The afternoon was spoiled. Into her
face had come a look almost of hard
ness, like the swift shadow of a cloud
over the fields on a sunny day. the
absence OF which had given her the
sweet, frank girIishness. What had he
20 do with this girl to whom luxury
was matter of course2 Why did her
impotence with his ideals trouble
him2
''Let as go home" she said.
They went to the horses From the
beginning Crusader behaved badly.
BE carefulP' he cautioned her. as
they turned into the public road
'aThat horse wants to bolt"
II told you he lacks common sense
sometimes" she laughed.
As though to illustrate this saying
Crusader now began a series of short.
cramped plunges, rearing and tossing
violently TO loosen the steel thing that
cut into his mouth.
She brought her crop stingfngly
down on the horses TANKS. Crusader
broke her grip on the reins. took the
bit between his teeth and, head low
cred, raced madly down the hill
John did not stop to consider the use
lessness of risking his own life too
His arm rose and fell continuously as
he tried to beat more speed into his
horse to close the rapidly widening gap
between him and the flying Crusader
a turn OF the road took her out of his
sight Thereafter TO the end of the
mad chase she was always just beyond
the next turn. He was not a good
rider, and the wonder was that as he
swung at top speed around the curves
In the snaky road he was not unseated.
Lightning's legs doubled and stretched
with rapidity never before and never
again attained in his placid life, but to
John the space between the pounding,
staccato hoof beats seemed endless
The blood throbbed heavily in his tenn
pies, at every turn he closed his eyes.
fearing to see still. broken figure be-
fore him Yet to him just then life
meant to fnd-what he must find.
By miracle the descent was accom-
plished without mishap. The road ran
on level for few hundred yards,
then began long gradual climb of the
next hin. LIghtnings steps Jagged. |
At turn in the road just below the
crest he came upon the painting Cru
sader standing with head meekly low
cred Seated on the roadside was
Katherine coolly putting up her hair.
Lightning stopped of his own accord. |
Johns blood rushed to his heart, Ieav-
ing his face very white.
He climbed weakly from the saddle
and threw himself down beside her.
1T was glorious while it lasted" she
said
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