The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-07-11

she shook hands with him.
You can depend on me, Mrs.
Slade" Jake's candor and sincerity
would have deceived saint. you
eat your supper in peace. I give you
my word of honor won't say a
thing"
Thank you, jake she replied, sat
isfied. Good night"
AS Jake opened the door the snow
eddied in and blast of cold wind
sent chill through Marys body. 1t
seemed good to meet Jake, but some
how she almost wished she hadn't.
1t had brought back so forcibly the
things she was trying to forget. She
sat looking into space for a long time
after he had gone. People came and
went, queer assortment of human
ity-women of the streets and char
women wanting a cup of coffee-but
she scarcely saw them. She knew
when the door opened by the accom-
panying chill, but she paid no atten-
ton to anyone coming or going When
SHADES handsome figure appeared and
his eyes searched the room anxiously
she did not look up.
For a moment he looked at her,
hungri1y-sadly. She was pathetic
even now, although she had changed
and improved, but she did look so
little and wistful as she sat eating
her lonely, simple meal of crackers
and milk and coffee.
He walked down the room and stood
before her, but it was only when he
spoke that she looked up. Her eyes
showed first amazement and then the
love she could in no wise conceal. A
warm flush made her look, to him.
almost as pretty as she had when
she was girl.
well, how are you, Mary?" he
asked. 1t was an ordinary enough
speech, but the tone was tender and
his eyes were asking the question she
could not ignore.
Why, Dan! heard you tonight"
the words were out before she recov-
cred from her surprise.
I'm glad you wanted to CO." he
said, simply, but what's the use of
1t ALP"
There was touch of cynicism In
his attitude and manner
of what?" Mary asked.
OF my getting elected, and-of the
whole business?" and he looked at
her searchingly.
Aren't you satisfed?" For a mo-
ment there was a trace of the Mary
who had kicked open the kitchen door
that day she had driven him from
that cottage. What way has it dis
appointed you?"
Well, what's the use of being gov
ernor if you can't share the honors?''
Slade smiled wanly as he thought of
their former discussion of the same
subject mo, it doesn't amount to
much after all! Jake tells me you
are going to Europe?"
Yes, it's a Cook tour" she ex-
claimed as she produced the ticket
from her handbag. It's a quick
glimpse of famous places. We are to
see Rome. We have two days there
and half day for the Pyramids.
Then the Holy Land, then Paris for
three whole days. I'm to see every
world in two months
We'll, I hope you'll enjoy it," he
commented sadly. 81 couldn't"
Why not?" she asked innocently.
Slade looked at her for a full min
ute before he replied
I find I'm too old to make new
friends he finally replied. Its what
I've had that counts; it's looking
back, not ahead. And l want to say
right here and now that if I had it
all to do over again I'd do differently
I'd do differently
Yes, l guess we'd all do differ
emily" and Mary fumbled absentIy
with the Cooks ticket to the world
in two months. But it's too late
now, ;" she finished
You couldn't think of trying it
again, could you, Mary?" SHADES
voice was tense
"Oh, no." she replied as if his sug-
gestion were not to be considered for
moment I'VE are divorced and the
only dignified thing for divorced peo-
pie to do is to stay divorced. Why
Are you lonely?"
No, l can't honestly say I'm lone
ly," he answered, candidly. I'm too
busy for that. asked you because
/ care for you, very, very much. I've
missed you. 1t wasn't loneliness. I've
just missed you. And if anything had
happened to you before I'd seen YOU
again-well-my life wouldn't have
been worth continental / want YOU
because-because you're my girl. You
| always were. The girl I loved when
was nineteen. You're handsomer
now. My God! Mary, but you look
pretty tonight"
"Oh, Dan! Please, I'm going" Mary
protested.
Hold on there" Slade laid de
tanning arm on hers. Il want to ask