The Lamar register., 1920-09-08
STARLIGHT
BY MAoGE WESTON.
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tCopJtis nj. ls-s Western Newspaper uniOn)
She was the most perplexing girl,
Billy thought, that he had ever met,
and yet-the most charming. Rlselay
had sent him out 10 this forsaken vii.
lnge OF "A past time TO value Ger.
tain blooded horse, which was offered
for sale. Ris, lay did not know much
about hurseiiesh. but Riselay had
plenty OF money. and 1t occurred to
him that II 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 10 Billy upon first approach.
comfortable air of olden-time hospital.
ity. 1t was a great shabby house. Billy
found. but its lady mistress stih prac.
ticed that d-tlme hospitality.
The hotel is but poor place" she
told Billy graciorsly, land 1t Will be
u pleasure for US to accommodate. you
in our OWE home"
Mr.. Rlselay. IL seemed. was known
through mutual friends, and Billy. as
Mr.. Riselay's representative. would
be gladly entertained during his brief
wistful as she made the suggestion
that he fancied In II an eagerness for
companionship. II 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
50 witty and merry then that Billy
wondered II this could be the same
creature who walked signing and un-
responsive by his side through the
garden.
For Billie's sojourn had not been
brief as II 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
clded 1t wiser to wait about while he
INDUCED In that long wished-for ''fsh-
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 vicinities-sitting
81
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
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. II would
be more conveDient 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
as far as Starlight was concerned.
Billy paid unhesitatingly the price i'm
posed and endeayored vaInly upon his
last night to see the girl alone. But
Cynthia was deliberately perverse.
with sinking heart Billy realized that
though aware Of the words he would
say Cynthia did not wish to hear
them. Yet half triumpbantly 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 un-
certainty Of her-thls 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 1t help you In being sep
arated from me. | wonder, to know
that you are baying our very bread
and butter-tha; we are SO beastly