The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-10-30

Arthur Thorne had argued until ne
was tired of arguing. There was no
use trying to talk sense into m2n
who hadn't any, he thought at last, as
he gave up with one more effort.
81 tell you she is young-just about
twenty-one," he said holly. Because
she is an actress you think she has to
be old. There are some young &C
tresses, aren't there"
Mervin Renton, his companion, was
quite willing to admit that there were
but this one, he claimed, was not. you
can't tell me-" he argued This Dora
Fraleigh will never see thirty-fve
again. Her hair is false, I'm willing
to wager anything. Did you ever see
curls like hers that were real2 Every
thing about her is false"
Arthur knew if he stayed he would
become angry. Mervin was Jealous
that was what was the matter, he felt. |
Without another word Arthur left
the bath-house where the conversation /
had been held and made for the beach. |
1t was glorious day and the guests OF
the hotel were making the best OF the
bathing weather. He caught sight OF
Dora almost Immediately. Apparently
she was searching for something In the
water near the beach.
"What have you IostT he asked. as
he waded toward her.
ooh, nothing" she answered trihe
confused. "Isn't the water finer
After completely immersing himself
and swimming aimlessly about for a
few seconds, Arthur agreed that 1t
| was. Lets go out on the raft" he
suggested, but Dora seemed unwilling
to leave the shallow place. This was
surprising, for she had always seemed
anxious to get all the fun possible.
| There was something troubling her.
| She even seemed unwilling to go on
! the beach for a sun bath, but finally
agreed.
'Therer' Arthur exclaimed, as he
stretched out on the sand. Il thought
| I never would get away from that
| shallow part. There were so many
children there 1 didn't have a chance
to talk with you"
"You usually have lots Of opportuni-
ties" Dora smiled.
| whats this?" he asked, as he picked
up something his toes had been rub
| bling against In the sand. "Well, look
| what's here! A false curl" Sure
enough it was.
| Dora took 1t from him eagerly. 81
lost it - she exclaimed, as she jumped
to her feet. II was searching for 1t
out there. Wait until I 60 and tell
auntie. She'll be delighted"
i She was off before Arthur could stop
her. He looked after her with an ex-
clamation of dismay on his lips. To
think that those beautiful curls Of hers
were false. No wonder she hadn't
talked much and had been confused.
So Mervin had been right!
4 When Dora Joined him again he was
trying to smile. but found he couldn't.
"What makes you so quiet?" she asked
after they had sat In silence for near
ly five minutes.
Nothing very much" he replied to
her question. 81 was thinking that
was going home tomorrow"
"Going homer" she echoed. Why
you said last week that you would be
here all summer"
'T have changed my mind" he an
swered, but when he saw the panied
| look on Dora's face he wished he had
thought up an excuse.
: The next morning Arthur's resolve
to go home had not faltered. HI
!. wasn't going to stay there to be thu
laughing stock of t1e'whole hotel wher
they found out about Dora's age. III
was only twenty-one and most Mkel!
!. she was thirty, anyway. Nine years
was too much difference. He felt 81
uncomfortable over 1t he went to tn
station half an hour before the trail
was due to leave. His going ava.
would leave the field ,open for Mervin
That was too much. He left the trail
in a hurry and left word with the bag
gage man to have his trunks sent bacl
to the hotel. He couldn't be happ.
without Dora. even If shes was eighty.
He found Dora in a secluded corne
Of the veranda. Her eyes were red ant
there were other traces of tears.
"You haven't gone yet" she crie'
joyfuny, as she caught tsight Of him
81 heard that you had gone withou
even saying good-by to me-"
Il came pretty nearly uOiuS; IL, OCoA'
he said, 'but I couldn't go away an
leave you here. When 60 II want t
take you with me. / wantSt to MARI
you"
eff you wanted to marry me, VIII
did you make me worry about you
leaving so unexpectedly" she asked
trying not to smile. Last night wa
the second night have lost sleep b
worrying. The night before it was tn
thought Of having lost auntie's bes
curl that"
"Auntie's curlT' he interrupted.
Eyes, the curl you found, yesterday
"Oh," Arthur groaned. 81 though
that was your CURL"
"Minei" she laughed "And L wa
only twenty a week ago."
'Thank goodness for that" he.crie'
"But whyT she asked, perplexed.
She laughed for long time after h
told her. "fBut what difference woul
| lo-o x,,aJa fhirfv-fivof2s Gf