The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-09-05
CHAPTER Ill.


semi-darkness OF the four-wheeler and /
AS soon as the door was shut the
girl began to tremble.
ooh, we ought not to have done
that" she exclaimed with a SILVER of
recollection. They were so very kind.
It was dreadful to impose upon them.
Hut-you were not to blame. It was
my f2ult. It was very kind of you"
eve did not impose upon them," he
/ exclaimed peremptorily. You are my
friend, and that was all that we
claimed. For the rest, you have GER
tainly made good. Your wonderful
music! How l wish l might hear
more of it some time!"
! The carriage paused to let trolley
pass, and a strong arc-light beat in
upon the two. A passing stranger
peered curiously at them, and the girl
shrank back in fear. 1t was mOmen-
tary, but the minds of the two were
brought back to the immediate neces-
sites of the occasion.
NOW, what may / do for your"
asked Durham in quiet, business-like
tone, as if it were his privilege and
right to dc all that was to be done.
Have you thought where you would
like to go?"
Il have not been able to do much
thinking. 1t required all my wits to
act with the present. But | know that
l must not be any further trouble to
you. You have done more already
than anyone could expect. If you can
have the carriage stop in some quiet,
out-of-the-way street where | shall not
be noticed, l will get out and relieve
you. If l hadn't been so frightened
at first, should have had more sense
than to burden you this way. l hope
some day l shall be able to repay your
kindness, though l fear it is too great
ever to repay"
"Please don't talk in that way" said
he protestingly. 1T has been a pleas
ure to do the little that l have done,
and you have more than repaid it by
the delight you have given me and my
I friends. l could not think of leaving
you until you are out of your trouble,
and if you will only give me a little
hint of how to help, l will do my ut.
most for you. Are you quite sure you
were followed? Don't you think you
could trust me enough to tell me a lit
tie more about the matter?"
. She shuddered visibly.
Forgive me-" he murmured 81 see
it distresses you. Of course it is IN
pleasant to confide in an utter
stranger. will not ask you to tell me
, | will try to think for you. Suppose
we go to the station and get you {
ticket to somewhere. Have you an!
W preference? You can trust me not t
b tell anyone where you have gone, cal
5. you not?" There was a kind rebuk'
in his tone, and her eyes, as she lifteC
them to his face, were full of tears.
"Oh, do trust you'll" she cried, dis
tressed. You must not think that
=. but-you do not understand"
Then she added suddenly:
But l cannot buy a ticket. l hav
no money with me, and l.
a Don't think of that for an instant
I will gladly supply your need A lii
tie loan should not distress you"
But l do not know when I shall b
r. able to repay it," she faltered, "ur
less"-she hastily drew off her glow
y and slipped glittering ring from he
u unless you will let this pa
g for it. do not like to trouble you 81
but the stone is worth a good deal"
- Indeed" he protested, 81 couldn
think of taking your ring. Let me d
this. 1t is such small thing. l sha
never miss it. Let it rest until 70
are out of your trouble, at least"
hn
the ring. Il shall get right out of tn
carriage unless you do"
But perhaps some one gave you tt
ring, and you are attached to it,"
My father" she answered brief
land he would want me to use it tn
way" She pressed the ring into h
hand almost impatiently.
lie Il will keep it until you want
again." he said kindly.
II You need not do that, for l sha
90 not claim it," she declared. You a
90 at liberty to sell it. know it is wor
a good deal"
wv Il shall certainly keep it until a
90 sure you do not want it yourself"
90 repeated. Now let us talk about til
journey of yours. We are almost
l ,, the station. Have you any preferen
egg as to where you go? Have you frien
to whom you could go?"
She shook her head.
There are trains to New York eve
Ola hour almost"
At "Oh, no." she gasped in a brighten
tone.
lan And to Washington often"
Il should rather not go to Washir
. ton," she breathed again.
Pittsburgh, Chicago?" he hazardt
Chicago will do" she asserted vi
on relief. Then the carriage stopped
fore the great station, abIaze Vi
-, light and throbbing with life.
He hurried her through the staff