The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-11-22
THE MAGIC RUG
BY AGNES g. sRocAN.

Billie's face depicted great gloom.
1T was bad enough" he told himself,
ITO be merely an humble clerk in
dared to fall In love with the authors
only daughter, that was the worst"
he was glad that war was calling
him away; in unselfish action, he might
be able to forget. Billy was not even
sure that Theodore would be sorry at
his departure.
Dora had grown to young woman
hood through various schools Of train
ing, retaining still the frank ingenu-
BUSINESS of childhood. Useful also, she
insisted upon being. rearranging, with
competent hands, the disorder of her
fathers study; singing the while per-
haps, or easily chatting with Billie.
Meeting the secretary occasionally
by chance. as he left the entrance of
Gail Park. Dora would invite him to
ride home In her car.
Absolutely, the girl enjoyed her ia
theirs confidence; what Theodore did,
was in his opinion, always and exact
~ the right thing to do. This particu-
lar morning of Billie's gloom, he had
awaited breathlessly her appearance
In the corridor leading to her fathers
study, being screened behind heavy
draperies. Billie had fed precipitate-
ly at heroapproach. 1t was difficult to
trust himself with a simple good morn
ing, while his heart continued to
pound In this foolish manner.
Wrathfully, Billie entered the az yet
unoccupied study, and seated himself
at his desk. Into the sanctum. smiling
and glowing. came Dora.
"How do you dor she began. then
paused In mock concern. what sort
Of tragedy has befallen you this morn
ing?" she inquired. such q forbidding
face: am almost afraid to remain.
How poor father continues to bear up
under your various moods" She
threw out her pretty hands expressive
".
Billie forced smile. II have enlist
ed" he replied: didn't wait for my
draft. going OF to train tomorrow"
|! Dora adjusted a vase, studying with
critical eye the new effect. Then,
she remarked, 81 should 60 In q brave
frame Of mind. worthy Of the cause.
Billie stiffened resentfully. you
don't think I'm blue because I'm
afraid to nght3" he asked fiercely.
Miss Gail came over to Billie's desk
and stood looking down into his eyes
| In the depths Of her own lurked a
smile. Really" she said, sometimes
| don't know what to think Of you,
Billie. But" she continued briskly,
| my errand here was to say that IA
Their has been called away, and win not
return until evening. your day II free. "
The prospect Of freedom did not
| seem to bring Joy to the secretary,
regretfully he began to sort the papers
on his desk; the possibility Of again
seeing Dora that very last day, was
gone.
81 am wondering" said that young
lady from the window. ''if 1t would not
be q sort Of Red Cross work to take
you for q drive this afternoon out In.
to the country. may be, where In the
open you might get q brighter per.
| spective Of your great coming venture
"Win your asked Billie, his voice
1 actually trembled in eagerness.
j All troubling things were forgotten
/ during that long ride.
Content with the present, Billie lean
ed back In his seat beside the girl and
eazed into her sweet face. At length
she stopped the car. Before then
stretched. seemingly endless fields Of
green.
"Here." said Dora, I'VE win get on
and commune with nature" With ,
laugh she tossed from the car q small
faded rug.
Handle 1t carefully" she directed
"that II my magic rug, brought year
ago from an Egyptian palace. Fathe
bought 1t for me when we wer
abroad"
"A magic rugr'
4 Amusedly. Billy spread it out on tn
grass. Dora nodded az she .motione'
him to share its protection.
"They told us 20 much about then
when We were over there" she said
''that insisted upon father buying thi
one at IN exorbitant price. But yo'
win agree that 1t Is well worth while
One has but to SIT upon the rug 90
!. name their hearts wish and 10 II
granted. You may even be transport
Cd where you viii. One has but t
speak aloud the wish and believe Il
Its power"
;, Wonderful exclaimed Billy. All
sently he fingered the ancient tapestry
;. You might tell It." prompted Dors
: She smiled but her eyes were grave
'-that you wish to come safeiy BAG
from the war to your apartment 4
New York"
NO." answered Billie, II don't car
much about coming back to that plac,
i There would be something to look fol
r ward m fhou0h n yniOht rovno .