The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-26

with her sympathetic voice and restful
ways who had made 1t seem CO. No
matter how tired she might be with
her DAY in the schoolroom. she was
ALL. ays ready to rejoice or sympathize.
I'll send her some roses-the finest
/ Cen ind" ne declared with a sudden
rush OF remorseful tenderness. He en-
tered flower shop and bought huge
bunch OF velvety American Beauties
Send them to this address," he told
the dealer and gave him card.
Next door vas the establishment of
an expensive furrier, and a Lander
passed the window, he saw Marguerite
Fenton looking at set of brown lynx.
The rich tones went we'll with her
brown eyes and tawny hair. AS she
STOOD there with the soft furs about
her, she reminded him of some bar
barrie princess. Ever since he had first
met her at dinner given at the home
Of the senior member Of the firm,
Lander had been greatly fascinated,
and felt that her beauty and position
fitted in with his ambitious dreams.
Yet, strangely enough, today her beau
ty did not make it's usual appeal to
him that mingled with her sinuous
grace, was also something of feline
cruelty.
Those furs probably cost more than
my months salary" he muttered. "Her
Unsuitable craving for luxury would
fasten itself, vampire like, on the life
blood of the man who marries her!"
He strobe down the street, feeling
that the crowded cars would stifle him,
and longing for the sense of physical
; motion and the singing air against
his face. When he reached his rooms
from Mrs. Dane, a prominent society
hostess, inviting him to attend a din
ner she was giving that night
THAT doesn't fit in with the load of
work 1 must get through with before
,, Office hours tomorrow" YEARLY he
laid a package of business papers on
the table and rested his read in his
hands. What does it all amount to
what does life amount to-" he ques-
toned despondently. "These people
who invite me do not really care for
me. 1t is merely because l fill in and
make an agreeable dinner guest, and
for that l have practically given up
=
:. my old friends"
He realized that his present mood
was the reaction from exhilaration of
conquest which the past year of al
most spectacular success had given
him.
I'D like to chuck the whole thing
and go back. If only could have a
talk with Alice in the old way, I'd feel
myself again." He sat up with new
energy. Il wonder if she'd let me
Gomez"
There was need to look in the tele
phone book for the familiar number
With GREATNESS suspense he waited
while the landlady called Miss Glea
son to the phone, and at the sound Of
her voice his heart began to pound
boyishly. She was serenely gracious
yet he detected a note of surprise a:
he asked permission to call. Then she
spoke of the roses, and added:
81 cant begin to describe my deligh
over that quaint old English book.
filled long-felt want for the posses
sion of a real first edition" Mechan
ically he responded, questioning him
self the while: What book? Did
make a mistake and send Miss Fen
toms Christmas gift to Alice? II
my logged WEAKNESS / must have Civ
en- the dealer the wrong address" H
thought of Marguerite's demand of tn
best as her due, and sense of impisl
joy swept over him at the mistak
which had defeated the usual order
He sent a messenger boy with
note to Mrs. Dane containing regret
for the dinner, then dressed and hui
ried to the lodging house on Flee
. street
"Shurre, and you're strange
these days, Mr.. Landers," remarke
the maid who opened the door. A
80 she went upstairs to call Miss Gles
son her round Irish face reminded hiI
ar of CHEEKY full moon. He glanced q
IN the worn old haircloth sofa, and Gel
Id ter table strewn with magazines, tn
is familiar shabbiness of the little pa
lt Tor made the past year seem as unres
as a feverish dream.
in When Alice entered she seemed t
r. bring with her an atmosphere of 81
Tenity and peace. Eagerly he ros
ed then sank back on the sofa, his fac
tn went white and everything blurred b.
IN fore him.
ID What is it, Edwin, are you ILL.," sh
cried, in her alarm the old nam
ne slipped out unconsciously.
At He passed his hand over his eyes
DIX a dazed fashion. Not is nothing
he muttered. Then, earnestly, Il a.
tn tired-weary with life as it is. 1t
ae you only | want, Alice, you, alone
ne the wide world that l love. Is thel
ps any hope?"
ke His voice sank almost to a whispe
OF and for one tense moment there We
en- silence in the little room. Then. by Wa
lis of answer. she drew the poor. tire
face against her breast with a &c