The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-11
CHAPTER |.
Mists of the Morning.

fSYY1 IT was twilight still in the val
tWk 4 | ley. but over the hills to the
RS-z@esSl east the sky was whitening.
s5-sz@J A young man sitting by his
window turned to see the birth of an
other day. Throughout the night he
had been staring at a vision. But
WEAKNESS had set no mark upon him.
His vision he did not understand, save
that for him it spelled opportunity
chance to put into a drifting, rather
ordinary existence, purposeful action.
to stretch his muscles, rack his brain
and tear his soul in the struggle that
is the life of men.
He caught up a rough towel and,
stealing quietly out of the house, walk
ed rapidly down the street When the
Struggling town lay hehind him he
broke into n slow trot. At a place
where many feet had worn a path
across a clover meadow he turned
from the road. The path ended at
clump of bushes on the river bank
Hastily undressing, be plunged into
the green depths. from which June
had not quite taken the chill of spring.
His 1.-the. strong body responded to
the shock. The nerves. harried by the
long night watch. relaxed. He shout
ed Justify. For a few minutes he
swan vigorously. Then, reaching the
shore, he took the towel and rubbed
himself into a glow. He tingled with
a sense of we'll being.
When he was dressed again. refresh
ed and eager for his day, he took the
path back to the highway The sun
was climbing over the hills. He stop
ped and watched it while it swung
clear in the sky. cleaning a fiery red
through the mists of the valley. The
glory of the morning was complete
He was about to resume his tramp
homeward when be beheld a strange
procession advancing along the road. a
young woman leading q limping horse.
AS she came nearer he chuckled aloud
The handsome pigskin saddle. the ivory
handled crop. the modish riding suit
and boots were not the equipment with
which young ladies of New Chelsea
were wont to ride.
She heard him and looked up coldly.
The chucklC died instantly.
Good morning" he said. whats
the matter with your horse? Can
help you?"
She stopped He has picked up a
sto"a." she answered, "and l can't get
it out If you will be so good
He vauIted lightly over the fence
that bounded the meadow and removed
the offending stone
Thank you" the young woman said.
You're quite welcome" he answer
ed. I'm always glad to help beauty
in distress. He is a beautiful animal.
isn't he?" he added hastily.
Are you chatting meT' she asked
coldly.
He repreSspd a smile. by no means
Better not ride him for little bit IN
til we see how he walks You ride
early" he ventured
mo earlier than you-swim." she re-
piled briefly. gIancing at his wet hair
and towel. He at once became uncOm-
fortaby conscious of his rather un-
kempt appearance.
Are you staying in New ChelseaT p
Yes
'ShaIl you stay Iongf"
Are you in the habit of cross ex-
amining strangers on the roadT' she
inquired frigidly,
He reddened Il beg your pardon"
he said and slackened his pace to let
her draw ahead
II think I'll ride now she said. ''if
you will help me up Crusader has
stopped limping."
He held out his hand. she placed a
foot in it and was lifted to the sad
die She murmured her thanks But,
although she gathered in the reins. she
did not start away. For moment she
sat looking at the hills, apparently OBJ
livious of the young mans presence.
He wondered who she was and ven
tured again Why do you call him
Crusader
She looked down at him. Another
question? You are incorrigibIe.
u beg your pardon" he said again
stiffly and marched up the road.