Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-08-05
STARLIGHT
BY MADoE WESTON.
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Copyright. lsas. Western Newspaper uaioay
She was the most perplexing girl.
Billy thought, that he had ever met.
ana yet-the most charming. Riselay
mad sent him out to this forsaken vii.
lage OF past time to value GER
tam FLOODED horse, which was offered
Tor sale. Riselay did not know much
about horsefesh, but Riselay had
plenty Of money. and 1t occurred to
MIN that 1t might be amusing to can
te' occasionally around the park.
Inc struggling house on the hill, at
which the town driver left him, pre-
sented to Billy upon first approach,
comfortable air of olden-time hospital
lty. 1t was great shabby house, Billy
found, but its lady mistress still prac.
tlced that old-time hospitality.
THE hotel is but poor place." she
told Billy graciously, "and 1t will be
pleasure for us to accommodate you
IN our own home"
Mr.. Riselay, it seemed, was known
through mutual friends, and Billy, as
MI. R1selay's representative. would
be gladly entertained during his brief
so1ourn. The old lady's tone was SO
Wistful as she made the suggestion
that he fancied in it 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 it was expected. On the first
| evening of his arrival he had tele-
phoned Riselay to the effect that the
horse was not in 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-
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
board for the time of his stay. But
she's 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 Notwithstanding
| 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 as Cynthia's mother, told him
+! relievedly how glad they would be to
| he rid of Starlight. Starlight was
! the name of tsle horse who moped and
stamped in his stable.
Cynthia intended to buy car, Mrs.
Hawthorne said, casually. 1t 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 no
| further excuse to postpone judgment
| rs far as Starlight was concerned,
| Billy paid nnhesitatingly 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 that
4 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 Cynthia's
clear eyes not only knowledge Of his
love, but a promise of its 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" sobbed 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, boy, we might have to starve
without OH" she gasped at sight Of
Billy in the doorway then laughed.
"Wel, you know the truth at last"
she said, though mother would die II
she thought you did-or any Of the
Riselays. Oh! If / 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
panlon. 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 wave OF
iOyfu1 Understanding