The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-09-22

boiling toward her. -HellO. ola lsnnlry
doodlesr y she said with rich aiTee-
ton. kissing the dogs silky head. and
burying both hands in his feathered
collar Hello. old Buck y
alexandra, for heavens sake stop
handling that bruret" said Peter
Joyce disgustedly. coming up the path.
II dare say you've not had your break
fast, either. Go wash your hands
Morning, Doctori'
Father and daughter turned to smile
upon him, tall. lean man, with q
young face and finely groomed head
and with touches of premature silver
at his temples.
He was a bachelor. just entering
his thirties. q fastidious, critical, ex-
acting man by reputation. but showing
his best side to the Stricklands. They
had a vague idea that he was rich, &C
cording to their modest standard, but
he apparently had no extravagan'
tastes. and lived as quietly. or more
quietly. than they did. he liked soil
tude. books, music, dogs. and his FIRE
side. The old doctors one social en-
1oyment was In visiting Peter, and
the younger man went to no other
place so steadily as he came to the
old house under the redwoods.
Morning. PeterI'' said Doctor
Strickland now, smiling at him.
Have you had yoursT'
my house" said Mr.. Joyce, fastid-
iously. sis well-managed place Say"
he added, pursuing his lips to whistle,
as he looked at the rose tree. did
Tuesdays wind do thatT
Tuesdays wind and Dad" Alix
answered. "Win it go back. PeterT
IL don't known" he unused.
walking slowly about the wreck. IF
we had a lever down here, and some
fellow on the roof with a rope. may
be-"
Mr.. Lloyd is coming overl" Alix
announced. Peter nodded absently.
but the mention of Martin Lloyd re-
minded him that they had all dined
at his mouse on the very evening when
the mysterious gale had commenced.
and with interest he asked:
Cherry catch cold coming home
Tuesday night?"
NO; she squeezed in between Dad
and me, and was as warm as toast r.
Alix answered casually. How'd you
like Mr.. LIoyd?" she added.
mice fellowl" Peter answered.
Hes awfully nice" Alix agreed.
''Who is hep" Peter asked curiously.
where are his people and all that7''
His people live in Portland" the
girl answered. Hes a mining en-
gineer, and he's waiting now to be
called to Ell Nido; he's to be at a mine
there. He's lots of fun-when you
know him, really -
Talking of the new Prince Charm
ing, of course" Anne said, Joining
them. and linking an arm in her un-
cIe's and in Alix's arm. "Don't bring
that puppy in, Alix, pleased Break
fast, Uncle Lee. Come and have an
other cup of coffee, Peteri''
''Prince Charming, ehT" Peter
echoed thoughtfully, as they all
turned toward a delicious drift of the
odor of bacon and coffee, and crossed
the porch to the dining room. 81 was
going down for the mail, but now I'll
1
through Thanks. Anne, but I'll
watch you. Where's Cherry2" he
added, glancing about.
Cherry answered the question her
self by trailing in in Japanese wrap
| per, and beginning 10 drink her coffee
with bare, slender arms resting on the
table. Nobody protested. the adored
youngest was usually given her way.
81 heard you all laughing, under
the window and it-woke-me-upr r.
Cherry said dreamily
at seems TO me-" Anne, who had
been cycling her uneasily, said lightly
"that some one know is getting pref
~ old to come downstairs in that RIG
when strangers are here!"
at seems TO me this is just as de
cent as lots Of things-bathing suits
for instance y Cherry returned in
stantly, gathering the robe about her
over her blue cup.
81 have a rope somewhere" the
doctor eliminated. Where did i put
that long rope-what did | have II
for, in the first place"
"You had it to guy the apple tree.
4 Alix reminded him. 1.-The tree thai
died after all"
4 "Ah. yesl" said her father. his at
tentive face Frightening. "Ah, yes
Now where is that roper" But ever
as Alix observed that she had seen II
somewhere, and advanced a tentative
guess as to the cellar. his eyes fell
upon Cherry. and went from Cherry:
absorbed face-for she was dreaming
over her breakfast-to Peter. and b.
wondered If Peter had kissed her.
"Come on, let's get at it AlIx ex
claimed with relish "Come on
Sweetums." she added, TO the dog
She caught his forepaws. and h
whipped his beautiful tail between
his legs, and looked about with agon
lied eyes while she dragged hin
through a clumsy dance "He's thu
darlingest pup we ever hadr' Alb
stated to Cherry. who was departing
for the upper regions and complete
costume.
Bring your cigarette out here. Pc
Ter the old doctor said. crossing thu
garden 10 look in the abandoHe,
greenhouse for his rope ITS no
here" he stated Then he begar
again. "You brought Cherry home las
mighty no asked