The daily Alaskan., 1920-08-17
STARLIGHT
By MADGE WESTON.


 had sent him out to this forsaken vil- lage of a past time to value a cer. tain blOOded horse, which was offered for sale. Riselay did not know much about hOrseaesA, but RIselay had plenty of money, and 1t occurred to him that it might be amusing to can. ter 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. It 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 graclously "and 1t will be a pleasure for us to accommodate you In our own hOme."
 Mir. RisClny, 1t seemed, wns known through mutual friends, and Billy, as Mir. Riselay's representative. would be gladly entertained during his brief SOjOurn. The old lRdys tone was so wistful as she made the suggestion that he fancled In It an eagerness for companiOnShip. It was not until "teO 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-cyed girl. In her mothers presence only did she appear gay or light-hearted; 1; so witty and merry then that Billy wondered If this could be the same creature who walked signing and Un- responsive by his side through the garden.
 For Billlc's soiOurn 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 a fair condition to be judged.
 The animal was a beautiful one, un- doubtedly, but had been taken with some sort of horse distempcr. He de- clded It wiser to wait about while he indulged In that long wishcd-for fish Ing vucatIon." He had persuaded his lady hostess, so he said. to accept board for the time of his stay. But shes a proud old dame" Billy told Risclay.
 Life at the hill house was very pleas ant. Cynthia, as the Sweetest girl' was called, escorted Billy usually to promising fishing yirin!tes-sittlng sometimes there absorbed and retro spectivc at his side. ar flashing al him occasionally her rare and rcassuring smile. Billy had days ago admitted tO himself the fuot-he was in love; truly, diSturhin-ly in love for the first time in his honest life,
 Mrs. Hawthorne. whom he thought of only as Cynthia'S mother. fold him relIcvcdly how glad they would hc to be rid of Starlight Starlight was the name Of the horse who mopcd and stamped in his stable.
 Cynthia intended 10 buy a car, Mrs. Hawthorne said. casually. It would be more convenient for them 10 get about. And Cynthia lending over the credentials of Starlight, which she was showing. flushed suddenly and pointed out 10 Billy thot the price asked for him was not at all ex- orbitanr. At last when there was no further excuse to postpone judgment as far as Starlight was concerned, Billy pnid UnhcSitatInGly the price i'm posed and endcavored vainly upon his Inst 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 tO hear them. Yet half triumphantIy 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-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 mane. Starlight, Starlight" sobbed the girl, "wOUld it help you in being sep arated from me, l wonder, to know that you are buying our very bread and butter-that wc are so bcaStly poor. boy, we might have to stave without Oh!" she Gasped at sight of Billy in the doorway, then laughed.
 "Weu. you know the truth at last" she snid, though mother would die if she thought you did-or any of the Rlselays. Oh! if I had the heart 10 leave her alone here" cried the girl, "nnd go away and earn our living"
 Her voice broke tremulously.
 "You can't think how one can get to love a horse" she cried "whcn 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