The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1919-02-18
DAUGHTER OF EVE

tuthu SUI tluut W itT. LOUISE HlIhuuS
Of wavy hair lay abotr soft cheeks
whipped to vermilion by the wind.
Dropping an armfuI of woodland beau.
ty. she tugged at the generous en-
folding collar OF her modish coat and
looked about her for a receptacle for
the treasures.
In the tiny kitchenette she espied
the big brown bean pot. alas no long
er In service. and tugged II down from
an upper shelf. II was just the thing
TO hold the great cluster Of purple as
tiers trimmed with goldeurod.
With her small. dark head cooked to
one side. Hester studied the effect Of
warm hued autumn leaves against a
drab velours hanging. Suddenly the
slim. erect figure crumpled up like a
soft gray kitten and pumped onto
the springy couch. crying heartbroken-
ly There was a mighty good reason
for the tears, for Hester was known
as spunky young person, who held
her head very high whichever way the
wind happened to blow. Today she
felt deeply Inundated, crushed in fact,
and all on account of Jed Bakers
silly old car.
1t had left-hand drive, that car Of
Jed's. which of course brought He's
ter's stunning left profile In almost
constant view of the apparently enam-
ored young man. At times. as the
car lurched over rails and crossings,
which was often, Jed's broad right
shoulder brushed dangerously near
Hester's dainty left. and very. very
close to her heart. Which was all very
fine, or might have been. had only Jed
been seated on her right hand For
on Hester's left cheek there was a
scar, tiny one, which showed scarce
ly any, unless irritated by strong
wind.
Jed had parked the car by the road
side, and together they had followed
the winding path up the long slope
dotted with clumps of vari-colored TO
liage. He had filed her arms with the
riot of wild flowers growing by the
wayside. Hester was hatless now, and
as her dark head had leaned to a back
ground of blazing sumac Jed had
started toward her with arms out.
stretched. Testers dilating gray eyes
had already answered the love call in
his when to her utter confusion and
humiliation she saw his arms drop to
his sides. His finely lighted eyes sud-
denly grew dim and dropped from hers
fastening themselves directly upon the
scar on her left cheek. The thrilling
words Hester had been waiting to hear
for more than a year now were left un-
said.
1t was the horrid little scar, of
course, which had raised its infiamed
head and separated her from Jed, per-
haps forever. Why did she have TO
have that unfortunate fall in her baby
hood? 1t was running her life.
A fresh burst of tears and Testers
face ducked into q convenient pillow.
Jed was going West tonight "on very
important business" he had told her.
Perhaps there was someone there |
whom he cared for more than her
He had behaved strangely when they
parted.
jamie Boyce, flashy acquaintance. |
called her on the telephone, inviting
her out for a spin. After innumerable
refusals the weary-hearted girl at last
lent an ear to the persistent one rs
/ left-hand drive. JamIe?" Hester
coolly asked.
mot for mine. little Miss Choose-it,"
'etorted this young sport. as 1t 60.
ylrlie?"
"I'll come" laughed Hester. 1t would
10 her good, perhaps numb the eter-
lal ache In her heart.
1t was glorious Sunday and Hester
made desperate effort to enjoy II.
and chattering like magpIe
IS the up-to-date car slid smoothly
long under the delighted James ex-
'ert guidance, she realized that Jed's
Id car had been a "back number"
Vas Jed himself in the same category?
The stole glance at the cock-sure
'rofile. AT her second searching look
annie whirled the big car into a quiet
ountry lane, shut Off the gas. stepped
n the brake and flung his ar,ns.about
er. Hester. love you. VIII you
marry me?" he demanded speedily.
Hester stared Mortified into the face
lose to her own-the spreading lrlses
ed-rimmed from lack OF sleep, the dis
lpated mouth and weak chin, the
reen necktie. decorated with lnfiamed
freckles" and diamond horseshoe.
II get va" coolly announced Jamie,
pleasing her. He jabbed at the self
Iarter button.
II only II had been Jed jamie, seat
on her right, hadn't noticed the
FAR. Hester smothered a groan. She I
wed Jed and Jed only.
AS Hester was pluckily endeavorlng
} believe that she wanted TO pound v
rass" the rest OF her life, Jed came
lck.
Il want you, Hester" he cried.
Indeed" commented she 10 the
ord In general. But her heart ham,
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