The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-12-26
THE MAGIC RUG
BY AGNES G. BRoGAN.

BliileS face depicted great gloom.
1T was bad enough" he told himself,
ito be merely an humble clerk in
great authors employ, but to have
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
Tiers confidence; what Theodore did,
was in his opinion, always and exact
ly the right thing to do. This particu-
lar morning of Billie's gloom, he had
swaited breathlessly her appearance
in the corridor leading to her fathers
study, being screened behind heavy
draperies. Billie had fed precipitate-
ly at hereapproach. 1t was difficult to
trust himself with simple good morn
Ing, while his heart continued to
pound In this foolish manner
Wrathfully, Billie entered the as yet
unoccupied study, and seated himself
at his desk. Into the sanctum, smiling
and glowing, came Dora.
"How do you do?" she began, then
paused in mock concern. "What sort
of tragedy has befallen you this morn
ing?" she inquired. "Such forbidding
face! l 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, Il have enlist
ed" he replied; didn't wait for my
draft. going of to train tomorrow"
Dora adjusted q vase, studying with
critical eye the new effect. "Then,"
she remarked, II should 60 in brave
frame of mind, worthy of the cause"
Billie stiffened resentfully. "You
don't think I'm blue because I'm
afraid to f1ght?" 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
smile. Really" she said, sometimes
I 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 will not
return until evening. your day is 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.
Il am wondering" said that young
lady from the window, "if it would not
be sort of Red Cross work to take
you for drive this afternoon; out In
to the country, may be, where In the
open you might get a brighter per-
spective Of your great coming venture"
"Will you?" asked Billie. his voice
actually trembled in eagerness. !.
ALL troubling things were forgotten
during that long ride.
Content with the present, Billie lean
ed back In his seat beside the girl and
gazed into her sweet face. At length
she stopped the car. Before them
stretched, seemingly endless fields of
green.
Here" said Dora, I'VE will get out
and commune with nature" With q
laugh she tossed from the car a small
faded rug.
Handle 1t carefully" she directed,
"that Is my magic rug, brought years
ago from an Egyptian palace. Father
bought 1t for me when we were
abroad"
"A magic rug"
Amusedly, Billy spread 1t out on the
grass. Dora nodded as she motioned
him to share its protection.
They told us so much about them
when we were over there" she said,
"that I insisted upon father buying this
one at an exorbitant price. But you
will agree that 1t is well worth while.
One has but to sit upon the rug so,
name their hearts wish and 10! 1t is
granted. You may even be transport
ed where you will. One has but to
speak aloud the wish and believe In
its power"
wonderful !" exclaimed Billy. Alb
sently he fingered the ancient tapestry.
you might tell It." prompted Dora
She smiled but her eyes were grave,
shat you wish to come sarely back
from the war to your apartment In
New York."
NO." answered Billie, 81 don't care
much about coming back to that place.
There would be something to look for
ward to. though. IL I might come to
q small home Of my own with"
with roses growing around the
doorway" queried the girl.
III you were there" said Billie
dreamfly. "that would be rose enough
for mel"
Appalled,, he realized that words
long withheld had SPOKEN themselves