The Prescott daily news. (Prescott, Ark.) 1907-1941, 1914-01-24
WAS A OZARK HORSE"
BY BELLE MANDATES.

NOT. mere is SOOu SOll iluhs, podt-
ing, and | have three pretty daugh-
ters, and"
Il certainly can't refuse such al
Turing inducements" laughted Thorn
ton, "and l trust. Mr. Darnley,
won't be trespassing too much or
your hospitality and the good nature
Of your HOUSEHOLD by accepting an i'm
promptu invitation"
The household is an unconventional
one, and delights in opening doors
wide when a friend knocks replied
the elder man. taking down the tele-
phone.
Hello! This you, Madge? Mr..
Thornton is in town-you have often
heard me speak of him. ! have per-
suaded him to remain over and pay
us visit. Yes, he'll come home with
me tonight" After the transaction
Of some business which had brought
Roger Thornton, the son of an old
college friend of Mr. Darnley's, to the
city, they took a suburban train to
the latter's country home.
The house looks rather forbid
ding" observed Mr. Darnley, as they
came up the graveled road, "but the
girls detest lights in summer. I pre-
sumo they are back in the garden.
Sit down here on the porch and ]
will gather them up.
Rogers heard a light football be-
hind him. Then two soft arms en-
circled his neck, velvety cheek was
laid against his own and beautiful
voice murmured tenderly:
what made you so late, dear?"
Roger sat like a man dazed,
stunned by the touch of lips and
cheek After throbbing silence he
half whispered:
Il beg your na-don!"
There was a Mortified exclamation,
swift withdrawal of arms, and the
sound of vanishing skirts.
In distant part of the house he
heard echoes of mirthful laughter
Presently Darnley came out of the
house.
After proving all over tn,
| SloulluS, L lOullu llt SillS III TIE uIll-
ing-room preparing chatting dish
luncheon for us Come in and meet
them"
In the diningroom Roger was pre-
scented to the three girls. In vain he
looked into the roguish faces seeking
some tell-tale token. But not a sign
of confusion or enlightenment did he
receive.
Il must tell you a good joke, Thorn
tom laughed Darnley. The girls
supposed it was your father / was
20 bring home with me-"
Indeed! And was also supposed
to be my father when sat out on the
porch just now?" he asked, mean
ingly.
There was trio Of laughing voices
and knowing glances
NO. You were thought to be me"
explained Darnley. See II you can
guess which one made the embar-
RAISING error"
There is but one way in which |
can decide that matter" replied Rog-
er, gravely.
How" demanded the trio.
Il must close my ewes and each
one of you can in turn come up be-
hind he and repeat the error, Then,
| might decide"
This was positively and laughing
~ declined. After a merry evening,
Roger retired unable to decide which
of these beautiful young women he
thought the most charming The next
day and evening found him still un-
decided. and also in the dark as to
who had bestowed upon him the fleet
ing embrace.
On the third evening OF his visit
! Marie Loveridge. a niece of Mr.
Darnley's, arrived to pay visit. She
was type altogether different from
her light-hearted laughter-loving
cousins
! BY one or two skillfu moves
Roger drew her apart from the gay
crowd and sought secluded retreat
in the rose garden.
do you know" he said. suddenly,
Il had very strange experience the
first night of my arrival here"
That was before | came" remind
| ed Marie.
| Mr. Darnley left me on the porch
| while he went in search of his fam.
| lily, and while I waited there alone in
the darkness. | felt two soft arms
| about my neck. cheek laid against
mine, and a light kiss, and the most
| beautiful voice | ever heard say:
What made you so late, dear? When.
| spoke. she fled. Marie, from the