Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-07-02
STARLIGHT
BY MApeE WESTON.

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Copyright. 1870. western Newspaper union)
She was the most perpiexing girl
Billy thought, that he had ever met.
and yet-the most charming. Riselay
had sent him out to this forsaken vii
lage Of a past time to value a car-
tain blooded horse, which was offered
for sale. RiseIay did not know much
about horseflesh, but Riselay had
plenty Of money. and 1t occurred to
him that 1t might be amusing to cam
te- occasionally around the park
The struggling house on the hill. at
which the town driver left him. pre-
sented to Billy upon first approach, a
comfortable air Of olden-time hospital
ity. 1t was a great shabby house. Billy
found, but its lady mistress still prac-
ticed that old-time hospitality.
'The hotel is but a poor place. she
told Billy ~graciousIy, "and It win be
a pleasure for us to accommodate you
In u own home"
Mr.. Riselay, It seemed, was known
through mutual friends. and Billy. a.
Nj. Riselay's representative. would
be gladly entertained during his brief
s~ojourn. The old lady's tone was So
wistful as she made the suggestion
that he fancied In 1t an eagerness for
companionship. 1t was not until sted
time" that he met the daughter. who
was. Billy thought, "the sweetest girl
that he had ever SEEN" But while
her charm drew him her attitude Of
sadness held him aloof.
She was very silent, this biue-eyed
girl. In her mothers presence only
did she appear gay or l~ight-heartedf
SO witty and merry then that Billy
wondered IL this could be the same
creature who walked signing and nm
responsive by his side through the
garden.
For Bibles s~ojourn had not been
brief as 1t was expected. On the first
evening Of his arrival he had teIe-
phoned Riselay to the effect that the
horse was not In a fair condition to
be judged.
The animal was a beautiful one, un-
doubtedly, but had been taken with
some sort of horse distemper. He de-
cideu 1t wiser to wait about WI lie he
INDUCED In that long wished-for fish
ing vacation" He had persuaded his
lady hostess, so he said, to accept
board for the time Of his stay. But
she's a proud old DAME" Billy told
Riselay.
Life at the hill house was very pleas
ant. Cynthia, as the Sweetest ~irlss
was called, escorted Billy usually to
promising fishing vicinities-sittjng
sometimes there absorbed and retro
spective at his side, or flashing at him
occasionally her rare and ~reassuring
smile. Billy had days ago admitted
to himself the fact-he was in love;
truly, disturbingly In love for the first
time In his honest life.
Mrs. Hawthorne, whom he thought
Of only Pr Cynthia's mother, told him
relievedly b y glad they would be to
be rid Of .tarlight. Starlight was
the name of the horse who moped and
stamped in his stable.
Cynthia intended to buy a car, Mrs.
Hawthorne said, casually. Il would
be more convenient for them to get
about. And Cynthia, bending over the
credentials of Starlight, which she
was showing, flushed suddenly and
pointed out to Billy that the price
asked for him was not at all ex-
orbitant. At last when there was mo-
further excus to postpone Judgment
as far as Starlight vas c~oncernsda
Billy paid unhesitatlngly the price imS
posed and e~ndeavored vainly upon his
last night to see the girl alone. But
Cynthia was deliberately perversed
With sinking heart Billy realized that
though aware Of the words he would
say Cynthia did not wish to hear
them. Yet half triumphantly Billy had
fancied that he had read in Cynthtass
clear eyes not only knowledge Of his
love, but a promise of its return. He
wished that he might fathom the un-
certainty Of her-this half admission
this cold reluctance.
Early upon the morning Of his De-
parture, Billy arose and went out to
the stables. Though the first dew was
on the grass, Cynthia was there before
him. Unaware of his approach she /
stood, her arms about the horses
neck, her face against his white man
starlight, Starlight" sobbed the
girl. "would It help you In being sep
arated from me. 1 wonder, to know
that you are buying u very bread
and butter-that we are so beastly
poor, boy, we might have to starye
without Oh che gasped at sight Of
Billy in the doorway, then laughed.
swell. you know the truth at last"
she said, though mother would die IL
she thought you did-or any Of the
Riselays. OH If I had the heart to
leave her alone here" cried the girl.
"and go away and earn our living"
Her voice broke TREMENDOUSLY.
you can't think how one can get to
love a horse" she cried, when the
faithful animal is ones only com
panion. We've both been fretting over
our parting, haven't we Starlight?
Good-by," she told Billy abruptly, and
put out her hand bravely smiling.
Over Billie's face swept a wave OF