The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-09-23

and In the first real summer heat. tt
was three o'clock before, with a great
cracking, and the scream Of a twist
ed branch. and a general painting and
heaving on the part Of the workers
at last the feathery mass had risen a
foot-two feet-into the air, had
stood tottering like a wall OF bloom
and finally, with q downward rush.
had settled to It's old place on the
roof Hong was pressed into service
now. and with Martin. was on the
roof, graphing with a rope. shouting
directions.
There was a rending, slipping noise
on the roef, a scream from Martin.
and shouts from the doctor and Peter.
With great sliding and rushing Of
the refractory sprays, and with a hOr
rifying stumbling and falling down
came Martin. caught In great rope
Of the creeper. almost at Cherry's feet
A time OF great running and calling
ensued. Cherry dropped on her knees
beside him, and had his head on her
arm for a moment; then her father
took her place, and Alix. with an as.
tonished look at the younger girls
wet eyes, drew her sister away. I'm
mediately afterward Martin sat up.
looked bewilderedly about from one
face to another. looked at his scratched
wrist and said Gee ~ in a thoughtful
tone
EYou scared Cherry out Of ten
years growth I'' Alix reproached Mar
tin.
81 thought he might have hurt
himself| Cherry said. in the softeSt
of little-girl voices. and with her shy
little head hanging. Anne decided
that 1t was becoming her clear duty
to talk to Cherry.
A few minutes later Alix. Peter and
Martin left for the daily ceremony of
walking into the village for the mail
The house was very still, early sum-
mer sweetness was drifting through
wide-opened windows and doors; the
long day was slowly declining. Anne
peeped into the deserted living room,
softened through all its pleasant
shabbiness into real beauty by the
shafts of sunset red that came In
through the easement windows; and
was celebrating between various be-
coming occupations = for Martin
might walk back with the girls
when her uncle called her.
"Anne-you weren't there when that
young chap tumbled. But I've been
worrying about it little. There's no
question-there's no question that she
that Cherry-called him by his
name. Martin she called him."
Anne had crossed to the shadowy
doorway; she stood still.
you've not noticed anything be
tween him and CherryT pursued the
doctor. "A girl might call a man by
his name, / suppose"
ST don't think there has been any
thing to notice." Anne stated, in q level
tone.
swell, 1t must be stopped. If It has
begun" decided her uncle. II can't
permit IT'D forgotten how the little
witch growsI"
Again Anne was silent. She was
not in love with Martin Lloyd; she
was not as susceptible as the much
younger Cherry, and she had not had
his urging to help her to quick sur
render. But for the first time In her
life she had seen an absolutely suit
able man, man whose work, position,
| looks, name and character fitted her
rather exacting standard, and for the
| first time she had let herself think
confidently Of being wOoed and won.
And, standing in the doorway, she
tasted the last bitter dregs of the
dream. 1t was all over. Anne was
at the age that sets twenty-five years
as the definite boundary of spinster-
hood. She would be twenty-five in
August.
Alix came in from her walk glow,
ing, and full of great discovery.
Dad" she said eagerly, taking heI
place at the supper table, 'what dc
you think I'll bet you a dollar that
man La falling in love with oul
Cherryi"
Anne, at the head of the table
looked panied, but there was genuine
apprehension in the doctors face
where Is your sister," he asked.
Down there by the gate" AItx an
swered. They're gazing soulfully Int
each others eyes, and all that Pete
went home. But Cherry-with a beau
Isn't that the ultimate extension o.
the limit I'm crazy about it-I thinl
it's great. / love weddingsl This1
be the third I've been toll"
"AIl this seems to have come NJ
very suddenly" the doctor said, dazed
ly, rumpling his gray hair with a fin
old hand 81 don't imagine your siste
Is taking 1t as seriously as you an,
Anne seem inclined to-"
"oh, does Anne think soi'' Alix ex
claimed.
81 think Cherry is one of the fol
tunate girls destined to drift alon
the surface of life" Anne said. 'an
to accept wifehoOd quite simply.
only wish / were that type"
She was interrupted by Cherry her
self The girl came to the porch dool
and as she hesitated there minut'
with her smiling eyes seeking her rs
SSSS 49,