The Ocala evening star., 1915-09-03
THE CUPID
EXPRESS
A Comedy of Love
By cLARlSSA r1AcKIE

cause it invariably carried one or more
bridal couples.
1t was the close OF a March day, ex-
actly 6;36 p. m, and the Cupid express
had just snorted away cityward with
two OF Trentham's fair brides and in
cidentally the newly made husbands.
The Faber twins had just besil mar
ried. 1t was a double wedding. and
all the town had turned out to send
them Off with a suitable merrymaking.
Where Is EdithY' inquired Mrs. VIII
| liam Blake. craning her neck around
the carriage. Where is Edith?'' she
| repeated sternly as her niece took her
place in the surrey.
Cora Morris voice was guilty.
Edith Is walking home" she said
Mrs Blake drew a sharp breath
''Walking?" she Intercepted.
Cora nodded. but her face beneath the
white hood OF her cloak was serious.
Not aloneT' declared Mrs. Blake In
the decisive tone OF one who knew.
with Harley Lane" confessed Cora.
"Ahr' Mrs. Blake's tone was freez-
ing. She sank back In her seat and
was silent. Bitter thoughts crowded
her mind.
1t was like an unkind fate to decree
that her only child, Edith, should fall
In love with Judge Lanes son.
She had always tried TO keep them
apart and was openly rude TO young
Lane And Harley was disconcerting-
ly polite to her.
Mrs. Blake would be the joIliest
T., -,
forget her crouch against the world.
said her would be son-in-law to his IA
ther one day.
But the judge had frowned and look
ed very uncomfortable.
81 wonder why your mother is SC
set against me-" remarked Harley as
he tucked Edith's hand under his arm
and marched down the street
Edith's eyelashes f1ickered as the
surrey passed them at a corner where
street lamp shone brightly.
81 don't believe she really hates you
Harley" she said. "but some one has
whispered a bit OF ancient history to
me- Years ago mother was engaged
to marry your father. They quarreled
and neither forgave the other. Both
married There you are. sirI'
THE deucer' whistled Harley; then
he added hastily: They've both been
widowed for fifteen years. Why didn't
they marry each other?''
"I don't know" sighed Edith. ''They
couldn't really have cared"
Dear. do you know l was wishing
that you and had courage to throw
conventions to the four winds and
elope on the Cupid express some dayr
''They would never forgive US. dear, >
murmured Edith. land we couldn'i
really be happy If they didn't"
81 know It, There's only one thing
to do, then-to convert them to our
way Of thinking"
How can we do thatY'
II didn't have an idea until you told
me that once they had been sweet
hearts. Listen to this scheme"
Mrs. Blake saw them lingering at the
front gate. Her handsome face grew
sterner. and her lips Strengthened into
a thin line.
Her hands smote sharply together in
a passion OF wounded pride.
His son-of all menr' she moaned
softly.
One April afternoon Mrs Blake re
turned from her euchre club 10 find
the house strangely silent.
Miss EdithT' repeated Jane, the
maid. ''Why, Miss Edith left the
house an hour ago. She carried a suit
case and
"a suit casel" interrupted Mrs.
Blake. ''Did she say where she was
goingT"
mo, ma'am. l wouldn't have known
about It only heard the front door
close. and / looked and saw Miss Edith
running down the walk. a cab was
there. She jumped in and was offr'
"Very likely she has been called over
TO her cousins In South Trentham.
She Will telephone to me no doubt"
The clock i'm the hall chimed the
quarter after g. and mingled with IL
was the sharp. insistent tinkle OF the
telephone bell.
winona Blake's voice shook a little
as she lifted the receiver from its hook
"YesT" she inquired
1t was Edith's voice. speaking la
tremulous excitement.
Mother, dear" she quavered, would
you consent to my-my marrying Har-
leyT"
An Instant's silence. then the moth
er's voice, cold and terrible:
mo daughter OF mine ever will mar
ry himr'
"MotherI" Edith's voice was stricken
where are you?" asked Mrs Blake
'sThe railroad station"
"wait until / conner ordered Mrs
Blake. and. hanging up the receiver,
she rushed from the house, still wear
ing her hat and her most becoming
afternoon gown
There was no time 10 call Thomas.
Before he could harness one OF the lazy
blacks into the runabout the Cupid ex-
press would be away from the stationl
As Mrs Blake hurried up the stairs
she heard the thunder OF the approach
ing train Her lips frightened
"I VIII go along. tool" she thought
Edith IS a minor. and
Here, madam A conductor almost
lifted her TO the steps. and as she stag
gered across the platform into the
coach n shower OF small particles fell
stingingly upon her face