Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-07-22
STARLIGHT
BY MADGE WESTON.
40 % % % ooon % % ~

mad sent him out to this forsaken VIII
lage of past time to value GER
tain blooded horse, which was offered
for sale. Riselay did not know much
about horsefesh, but Riselay had
plenty of money, and it occurred to
him that 1t 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 oden-tlme hospital
ity. II was 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 graciously, "and 1t will be
a pleasure for us to accommodate you
in our own home"
Mr.. Riselay, it seemed, was known
through mutual friends, and Billy, as
Mr.. Riselay's representative. would
be gladly entertained during his brief
sojourn. The old lady's 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 seep." 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 IL 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
I The animal was beautiful one, I'M
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 wlshed-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 girl"
was called, escorted Billy usually to
promising fishing icinites-sitting
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, disturhingly in love for the first
time in his honest life.
Mrs. Hawthorne whom he thought
of only as Cynthlas mother, told him
relieyedly how glad they would be to
be rid of Starlight. Starlight was
the name Of the horse who moped and
stamped in his stable.
Cynthia intended TO buy a car, Mrs.
Hawthorne said, casually. It 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-
brilliant At last when there was no
further excuse to postpone judgment
as far as Starlight was concerned,
Billy paid unhesitatingly the price inn
posed and endeayored yainly upon his
last night to see the girl alone. But
Cynthia was deliberately peryerse.
With sinking heart Billy realized that
though aware of the words he would
say Cynthia did not wish 70 hear
them. Yet half triumphantly Billy had
fancied that he had read In Cyntha's
clear eyes not only knowledge of his
love. but promise of It's return. He
wished that he might fathom the I'M
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 name,
starlight Starlight sohhed the
girl. would it help you In being sep
arated from me, wonder, to know
that you are buying our very bread
and butter-that we are so beaStly
poor, hoy, we might have to starve
without OH" she gasped mt sight Of
Billy i'm the doorway, then laughed.
well, you know the truth at last"
she said though mother would die If
she thought you did-or any of the
RiselayS Oh If / had the heart TO
leave her alone here cried the girl.
"and 20 away and earn our living
Her voice broke TREMENDOUSLY.
"You can't think how one can get to
love . horse" she cried, "when the
faithful &snal is ene's OILY com
panlon. We've both been fretting over
our parting haven't we Starlight?
Good-hy.~ she told Billy abruptly, and
put out her hand brayely smiling
over Billie's face swept wave ot
joyful understanding.
$50 that's been the trouble" he OK
claimed. well. I'm going TO take your
horse to RiSelay, but he viii be mine