Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-26
VOTnN0Feu by
Il KATHARINE, RHIDES
TIRE MAGIC or THE WOODLANDS.
CHAPTER I.
.InNcG nSNidHA

Joyce Decides.
Joyce WorthingtUn drew rein on
mountain top--a mountain TOP of oaks
ana Willows cellars and poplars. aldrrs
and olive trees. Her chestnut brown
military cap blended in well with tho
dark green foliage OF the trees around
her She sat quietly, gracefully on
i m't morse BODY erect. her head tilted a
ti'ndc. Tho shades of night we're deep
cning ana she gently touched her
, nSorSes hank with whip, and rode on,
her.
She cantered slowly down the gently
sionine hill through thckly forested
tri>kled adown ;aa monnta'r side
AS the miE,y sn.L"s of night dccr.
her joyce rode through the gates OF
her fathers home. The big shady
driveway led through a pleasant grove
mansion that was Joyce's home.
- ,ae Of the zig * NJ colun, s. ann
Miss Jane Craig. Joyce's aunt. and
Mr. WorthinE;on's maiden sister. met
her IN the hall.
the tall, graceful girl came over to
the little old lady's side with an eager.
afecttonate greeting. You and Mar
yin must have had & lot to talk about
today"
NO. Aunt Jnne, It wasn't that. DO
YOU know Marvin wasn't even there to
Wasn't he?" The old ladys face
depicted surprise and wonder
NO. auntie. and I'm. worried He's
never failed mo before"
She went up the old mahogany
staircase with frankly puzzled cX
preston on her pretty face.
little later she entered the dining
room attired in a tight lawn dress,
quite u contrast to the rough costume
in which she had been riding.
With quick impetuosity that was
so characteristic of this bright auburn
haired Southern girl she ran to the
side OF her father, who was seated a,
one end of the BILE. directly opposite
her silver-haired aunt.
oh daddy! Have you seen Marvin
today? Or have you been near Willow
Crest today?"
II saw him not many minutes aRo. and
to you"
commanded. laughing.
He's coming over tonight to explain
why he. couldn't join you on Hill TOP
Mountain"
lied better have a plausible excuse"
Joyce declared, with a little lift of her
determined chin and n challen gins light
in her sparkling eyes.
And how's my daughter getting on
with her lessons these days her
father continued when the converse
ton had drifted into other channels,
told Ah hm my aIfinnea b She Joyce
Fine" is my nnhesitatinG answer"
Aunt Jane replied. ITS case OF the
pupil surprising The teacher. for I've
taught her all I know. and more be-
Sides
y guess it means go farther than
here for more" the old gentleman said.
his eyes iutcntly studying the blue
and gold traccry in the china service
plate before him.
Joyce did not catch rhe real mean
ing OF what he had said, or. perhaps
he spoken. but the old lady across the
table did; and glanced up quickly. .
You don't mean send her OF to
SCHOOL," she asked bluntly.
For answer the old gentleman looked
across AT his daughter.
Daddy: you can, can,t mean Oh you
She laid down her knife and fork IN
helpless dismay.
"Wonldn,t vow like it. JoX2" Mr.;
sSSnse a@a asa great help ~G to You in
many respects"
You're not going to leave the de.
are IN say thank you. ma'am, TN stay
to home" Joyce returned, mincing the
dialect OF their negro servants.
Thn i%ee J9y like set NsFy yn" much fos
You You e. ever So' so much" Aunt Jane was
saying in her quiet. modest way.
Her brother gave her smile OF
approval. That's exactly how feel
he said.
Joyce looked from one to the other
and then leaned back in her chair with
an distracted expression on her face.
She had put on her thinking cap"
"All right she said presently.
Since YOU put It that way guess III
CO.
But although she had consented
without much hesitation, she said little
else during the meal, so absorbed was
she in her own thoughts.
tTo he continued0
Next time "A Coincidence"
ALICE V. PEARSON
(OriEinal)