The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-15

home.
"Nil you wait. sir?"
No" And John turned away He
walked out into the country across the
bride at the confluence of North
Bral III and South Branch. where rises
Grants Knob. He followed the path
that leads. cortscrew fashion. to the
crest Of the knob. and there. in the
thick of the shade of big walnut.
leaning against an old bowlder that
had ,rowned the knob longer than John
could remember. sat the object of his
quest
He had an instant to look at her be-
fore she observed him. and smiIingly
he availed himself of it. And very
charming. very alluring she was to his
| eyes in her light summary gown and
the big. soft leghorn hat with its flow
| ers and leaves dancing in the breeze.
| An open book lay in her lap, but she
was not reading. Through half closed
| eyes she was gazing dreamily at the
hills that marched away into the blue
distance.
He took a step toward her. She
! heard him and looked up.
"HellOr' he said.
Good afternoon" Her salutation
| was very cool indeed.
"Of course if you don't want me to
| stay
1T isn't my hill"
He laughed outright Her tactics
never wary, it seems" he remark I'd.
EFFECTIVE. though. Queer, isn't if
how attractive a girl becomes when
| she puts on that frigid, speak to me il
| you dare manner?"
you were very stupid not to know
| me the other day"
"But | remembered you
"You mean you forgot all about me-"
| -''as an impudent, long legged, free
! kled tomboy with red hair while YOU
| He paused deliberately.
| my hair was never red" she replied
coIdly
Suddenly the clouds broke away. She
! returned to him with a laugh. "Oh,
! can't keep it up. But where did you
T! get your courage? You weren't nearly
| so brave the other morning. I've been
| here six days. Why haven't you come
/ W ste mt sic Oc4tldulIGtl.
''WelI, you see" he began lamely to
explain. I've had a good many impor-
tant things to think about and
and was neither important nor in
| teresting You need practice, see"
"But you are"
''You really find me interesting?
! You know. I've worked hard. very
| hard, to earn the involuntary, generous
compliment ] am about to receive"
81 do-surprisingly So" he responded
promptly.
You needn't be so surprised" she re-
! torted. Il was always rather present
able in spite of the freckles, only you
wouldn't condescend to notice it. You
didn't like me-
"But you were such a pesky little
nuisance, you know. Let me see," he
added refiectively, that was-yes, it's
been ten years since | last saw you.
| Not counting the other morning, of
/ course"
mo, eight she corrected him. You
saw me after the big game, the time
you saved the day. You walked right
by me. looking straight into my eyes.
4 too anxious to reach Adele Whiting
i ton and be made a hero of by her. She
was as proud as-as I'd have been if
i I'd had the chance-to exhibit you
4 How is Adele?
/ "Oh, she's dreading thirty. is fighting
down a tendency to fat has begun to
/ paint and often asks about you. Are
! you still in love with her? And am
/ cat to talk so about her? And has she
! had many suCcessOrS?'
mo to all three questions. She gave
me bad three months, though"
I'm glad Of it, she declared venge-
fully. Didn't you know / was terribly
in love with you? That's what made
me such a pesky little nuisance. Oh,
| you needn't look SO shocked since il
was only calf love and l have quite re-
covered. Quite"
So while the golden afternoon waned
| they exchanged pleasant nonsense. His
spirits rose unaccountably. He was
very boyish, very gay. Sometimes they
rose to half serious discussion that
skipped lightly and ludaciously about
from peak to peak If human knowI-
edge. She had travelled much with her
father. who. it appeared. had really
| learned how TO travel" having to make
the most of his limited leisure. She
| knew places not starred in Baedeker-
! quaint. obscure corners Of the earth.
| full of color. John helped out this part
| of the talk with questions more or less
! intelligent. She was pleased TO com
! mend his interest.
One could almost believe you had
| been there. You would enjoy these
! places, | know, Not every one does.
I'd love TO visit. not do, them with you
| sometime
I'D ffke TO very much Butt he an