The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-05-27
ACROSS THE BROOK
BY cLARlSsA MAcKIE.


"Oh, wait a moment, Mr.. Winters"
Grace called. Il want to tell you
something very special friend Of
ours is coming on this afternoons
train. Will you take me to meet him.
please"
Certainly. "A man, I suppose?"
She nodded. "Mr. Carver-you will
like Horace immensely" she said en-
Enthusiastically.
Il don't suppose you'll have time
TO take any more rides in the little
red car he said glumly.
I'm afraid I won't have much
Time" she admitted. you have been
SO kind-and given me SO many de-
lightful excursions in the car. I shall
always remember the dear little red
car" she smiled.
Long after you've forgotten the
owner?" he asked quizzically, as he
strobe away.
She called after him to tell him that
Horace Carver was coming ON the
4:10 train. He nodded grimly and
went on his way.
Grace watched him, fine, upstand
ing young man, successful farmer,
a power in the village, a man with a
future ahead of him, people predicted.
IF he were only our Sort" thought
Grace, remembering Horace Carver
and his social prestige. She had often
wondered why her plain, practical
parents criticized the indolent Horace
and his pleasureseeking life. Only
last night Mr.. Pitt had declared that
the girl who married young Winters
would be mighty lucky.
She amused herself with this
thought and then, finding that it was
not unpleasant to consider, dismissed
it in panic of fear.
Ferd's little red car was at the door.
But the little red car seemed reluctant
to meet Horace Carver and by the
time Ferd had coaxed it up to the rail
road station the 4:10 train had come
and gone and the station agent report.
ed that the solitary arrival had
cut through the woods to Mapleshade
farm.
I'VE will overtake him on the wood
road" said Ferd confidently.
The wood road wound through miles
of oak trees. Thunder rumbled omin-
ously, the sun darkened and was hid
den from view and warm drops of rain
battered on the leaves.
I'VE can reach the top Of the hill
and run home across the pasture"
called Ferd above the pattering rain.
What shall we do with the carr"
| shivered Grace. She was afraid of
the sharp lightning flashes.
Leave it up at the top of the hill.
TIL spread rubber blanket over it,
Poor Horace" sighed Grace. I'm
afraid he will get awfully wet
HE won't mind that" treasured
Ferd carelessly.
Grace wondered if Horace would
| mind. She knew he would; he was
very particular about his clothes.
She liked to see man fussy about
clothes, although Ferd wore his we'll
| fitting garments with careless un-
| concern that was vastly becoming.
why am / always comparing these
two menu" she asked herself indig-
nantly. 81 expect to marry Horace
some day-oh, is it time to leave
| the carr" she asked as Ferd stopped
the machine and got out.
Eyes. Let me help you put this
dust coat on. There you are!" He
covered the little car with a rubber
blanket, and together they hurried
down the hillside through the driving
rain.
| When they reached the brook, Hor-
| ace Carver stood there hesitating.
| "This is certainly long way from
| civilization" he muttered, gripping
his suit case and hatbox with drip
ping fingers.
'rWhy didn't you waltz" asked
| Grace. I'VE were on the way to
meet you when the car became"
Every balky," finished Ferd crisply
"And now, Mr.. Carver, we have to
cross the brook to get home-the
sooner we get there the more COM
/ Portable we shall be-"
Gross the brook-how?" demanded
/ Horace, glancing across the fifteen
/ foot space.
'eWade-or TIL carry you over" pro-
posed Ferd.
/ You'd better carry NELL get
/ pretty wet the other way" agreed
Horace, and he permitted Ferd to take
him on his shoulders and convey him
across the stream.
Ferd made another trip with the
suit case and hatbox and then went
back to Grace, looking rosy and moist
with the rain.
"Shall carry you over-or will you
wade?" he asked in a low tone.
/ With fiuttering heart Grace made
her decision Garry me, please" she
: whispered, knowing that she wanted
to feel his arms about her.
Horace watched them coming, his
eyes narrowed jealously. How long
the rustic took to wade through the
shallow stream. Once his foot slipped
on a smooth stone and he held Grace