Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-10-28
STARLIGHT
BY MADeE WESTON.

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Copyright. 1890. Western Newspaper Union }
She was the most perplexing girl,
Billy thought, that he had ever met,
and yet-the most charming. Riselay
had sent him out to this forsaken viii
lage of a past time to value a GER
tain blooded horse, which was offered
for sale. RiseIay did not know much
about horsefesh. but Riselay had
plenty Of money, and 1t occurred to
him that it might be amusing to can
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 great shabby house, Billy
found, but its lady mistress still prac-
ticed that old-time hospitality.
THE hotel is but poor place." she
told Billy graciously. land it will be
a pleasure for us to accommodate you
in our own home.'
Mr.. Riselay, 1t seemed. was known
through mutual friends, and Billy, as
Mr.. Riselay's representative. would
be gladly entertained during his brief
sojourn. The old ladys tone was 50
wistful as she made the suggestion
that he fancied in 1t an eagerness for
companionship. 1t was not until "tea
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 blue-eyed
girl. In her mothers presence only
did she appear gay or light-hearted
so witty and merry then that Billy
wondered If this could be the same
creature who walked signing and I'M
responsive by his side through the
garden.
For Billie's sojourn had not been
brief as 1t was expected. On the first
evening of his arrival he had tele-
phoned Riselay to the effect that the
horse was not In a fair condition to
be judged.
The animal was beautiful one, un.
doubtedly, but had been taken with
some sort of horse distemper. He de-
cided it wiser to wait about while he
INDUCED In that long wished-for fish
ing vacation" He had persuaded his
lady hostess so he said, to accept
I'D ne ~
she's a proud old DAME" Billy told
Riselay.
Life at the hill house was very pleas.
ant. Cynthia, as the Sweetest grip
was caled, escorted Billy usually to
promising fishing notwithstanding
sometimes there absorbed and retro.
spectiye at his side, or flashing at him
occasionally her rare and reassuring
smile! o Billy had days ago admitted
to himself the fact--he was in love
truly, disturbinglyain love for the first
time in his honest life. f ms
Mrs. Hawthorne, whom he thought
of only as Cynthia's mother, told him
relievedly how glad they would be to
pC III VI otdiiiShI. totdliSHt wac
the name of the horse who moped and
stamped in his stablN
Cynthia intended to- buy a car, Mrs
Hawthorne said. casually. 1t would
be more convenient for them to gel
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 nc
further excuse to postpone judgment
as far as Starlight was concerned
Billy paid unhesitatingly the price i'm
posed and endeavored vainly upon his
last night to see the girl alone. But
Cynthia was deliberately perverse
With sinking heart Billy realized thai
though aware of the words he wo,slG
say Cynthia did not wish to heal
them. Yet half triumphantly Billy had
fanced that he had read in Cynthia's
clear eyes not only knowledge of his
4tlove, 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
ptrture, Billy arose and went out tt
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 horse.
neck, her face against his white name
starlight, Starlight" sobbed thu
girl, would it help you in being sep
arated from me, wonder, to know
that you are buying our very breat
and butter-that we are so beastly
poor, boy, we might nave to starv,
without OH" she gasped at sight o.
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 thu
Riselays. Oh! if ' had the heart tt
leave her alone here" cried the girl