The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-12

began to realize 1t was by will of
Mrs. Velvin. Atherley was palpably
hit-still he was not declared sutton.
Convention may shackle even burn
ing jealousy-Rayner merely called a
gay good night through the window,
shot past II, mounted and galloped
headlong away.
AS the thudding hoofs grew fainter,
Patty got up and walked to the win
dow, straining her eyes through the
moonlight, yet seeing nothing. Sud
denly she shivered. 81 wish Billy
were not riding Daredevil tonight"
she said. "He is gentle as a dog by
daylight-but moonshine sets him
wild"
20! dare say his master can man.
age him." Atherley returned. They
tell me at the club he can manage
anything, even women" laughing sig
nificantly after the last word. Then
with a mock sigh, you don't wonder
l envy him bit?"
"Why! How can you help it," Pat
I ty cried with artless cruelty. HE is
manages horses and women by not
being afraid of them. Both know they
can trust him-unless they happen to
be moon-blind"
so you believe in moon-blindness
| | thought that superstition had been
thoroughly discredited," Atherley said
lightly
Patty did not answer-she was list
ening too intenty. There was a
break IN the hoolbeats-with wilder
thudding after it. Over her shoulder
she cried to Atherley, Daredevil is
running now-come help me find
Billy"
You think he has been thrown!'
Atherley painted, struggling after the
flying figure.
Il know it-he would hold Dare
devil to the last" she answered, hel
voice sharp with terror.
They ran silently down the roat
until 1t turned sharply in a littl,
glade. The white moon made 1t al
most as light as day-thus Patty saw
two figures In the middle of it-Bill!
Rayner safe and sound, supporting
woman evidently half-fainting. Athel
ley touched her arm, saying signif
cantly:
Il think we had better go back"
Patty could grow no winter, bu
she turned upon him eyes that blazet
II am not spying" she said clearly
; then in higher key: "Billy-what
the trouble?"
Il don't quite understand-y-et
, Rayner answered. This lady" bow
ing to the dropping figure, had los
[ herself-and came out of the wood
l to ask the way. That scared Oar,
i. DEVIL got down from him thong
r and he ran OF home Perhaps 20
/. can reassure the lady-she-she-
5 seems to be upset"
' "No-only unhappy" the strange
t cried, suddenly uncovering her fac
l. so unhappy l shall die unless yo
tell me where to find him. You kno
the man I love-Steven Atherley
I have brought him to you" Pat
q said, running forward and draggir
Atherley
4 The stranger flung up her hands
q white hands, soft and heavily ringe
= 20 Steven! Steven! Forgive mel" 81
~ moaned. Il had to come. RemeI
d Der have not seen you since Pari
~ And the minute | knew"
10 Please spare explanations, Mabel
ID Atherley said curtly," I suppose VI
are staying with the Cudwins-let n
n take you to them at once"
N Anywhere-so you take me-" Il
IN woman sighed. dropping toward him
4 He looked helplessly from her
,s Patty and back again, then held o
No his hands to imprison both of heI
". Something in Patty's steadfast ga
h had shamed him into manliness.
n. i will explain" he said, his he,
- high. "Mabel-Miss Gray | mean
no was my good angel in Paris. indie
"A J think We should have got marri
90 there but for a senseless QUAR-
Neither of us saw things uui
right"
"A l know-you were moon-blind. Pr
~ pie get that way the same as horse,
= Patty interrupted with an elooue
- look at Rayner
i He took her hand openly and la
n his lips against it. saying Joyous
~ Happily it is only a temporary
fiiction; We come to clear vision aft
little while"
l. oh, do we?" Patty asked with b
most superbly indifferent air.