Evening star., 1928-05-02
The Inn of the
Hawk and Raven
BY
George Barr
McCutcheon
Copyright 1913 by Metropolitan Newspaper servies

MS niece. Sne Is QulLe q PIebSy SH4b
don't you think so, Colonel?"
Il beg your-oh, yes, to be sure
Quite pretty"
1t was nearly 4 o'clock when he set
out for his tramp. Dykas lived half
a mile up the road. Arriving at Heber's
front gate. he turned in. Poor old
Heber! Yes, he would go in at c-.c0 a...
do what he could to cheer him up and
make him happy-and then continue
on his walk Rotten luck 10 be laid -,
on Christmas czy.
Gene in" shouted Heber, in re-
sponse to his rap.
Starcourt entered and found no oale
in the room, save the old scholar, who
was sitting in front Of the fireplace.
Bless my soul,' exclaimed Heber,
surprised and pleased. Now this is
very kind Of you, Col. Starcourt. Re-
move your coat, sir. and drS<E up a
chair. 1t IS wy cold outside. they tell
me-"
After wishing Heber a Merry Christ
mas. Starcourt solicitously inquired
about his leg.
My Lego"
II should have said legs. Mr. Dykas"
Aside from the fact that they are
over 10 years of age, they are fairly
sturdy" said Heber. u daresay you
mean my back"
10 be sure. Your back, Mr.. Dykas
How is it?"
Prof Gratz informs me that it viii
last me as long as I live. provided I
do not live beyond reason" said the
old man, chuckling."
Il wish I had some Of your philos-
ophy. Mr.. Dykas." said Starcourt
The older you get the SIMPLER It IS
to be philosophical, my young friend
Age has its compensations. youth its
obligations. SO there you are. sir"
And where is your niece?" inquired
the visitor. after Dykas had expatiated
at some length upon the excellent quail
/ ties Of that young woman.
She has gone TO skate on the pond
with Gerane and Peter and Matthew
/ The three Of them had dinner with me
1t does an old man good to have young
/ people about, especially here he
winked-"when the little god Of love
is playing his game on the sly"
What's that?" demanded Starcourt.
! Heber cackied. I will bet my head
Jonifer does not know that Peter vas
I coming here today. As for Matthew.
there is no secret about him and my
niece. They are to be married. But
/ Peter and Gerane-well that is another
/ matter. ! will guarantee you have not
/ heard a word about then-now, have
/ you?"
| Starcourt swallowed hard. 'No-not
/ word Mr.. Dykas. Are you-er-sure?"
1T is impossible to be sure Of any
| thing, so far as Gerane is concerned.
But have never seen her so happy
/ as she Is today-gay as q bird. And
she could hardly wait TO 60 on skating
with Peter. As matter Of fact, she
/ wanted 70 be alone with him so much
that, when they saw you coming down
/ the road, she insisted that they be OF
before you got here. They sneaked
out the back way while you were knock
/ ing at the front door. I never knew
such haste-and it shows plainly hox
/ the wind blows, does it not?"
/ Starcourt arose. Il must be jogging
along. Mr.. Dykas. I came out for 9
/ long walk, and it viii soon be dark
f Good day, many happy returns Of the
/ day"
The same TO you. Col Starcourt,'
( cried Hsber chserily.
/ Starcourt was feeling very bitter
/ toward Gerane. Hoodwinking her
/ father like this. And now that be
thought Of it, was there ever such
numbSkun as julius Broadaxe? Ad-
| viSing him to go TO her and offer him
/ self as a Christmas present? Hal Ha!
| Could il be possible that she
| was in love with Peter and intended 70
marry him2 Had she been pull
ing the wool over every ones eyes?
No! He could not, would not believe It
OF her. Finally he told himself the
truth. He Was jealous. That was the
long and short OF it. All doubts had
gone out of his mind now. He vas des-
perately Ii love with her-and he
wanted her for his wife.
He turned his footsteps toward tbs
pond His jaw was set, the fire OF
great resolve in his ewes.
The pond was not far from the home
81 Ranya Brutz and her sons. Ranya
was standing on the bank. watching
the Young men and women who were
skating. Evidently she called GeransS
attention to him when he vas stiu
some distance away, for the girl, after
looking In his direction. Skated OF 70
Join the Dykas girl. Peter and Matthew
remained near their mother. Coming
to the bank, he cupped his hands and
called out;
"Gerane!"
What is isq" she called back.
She Skated up 70 him quickly, alarm
IN her eyes.
~DOes-does my father want nes~
she cried.
No. But do. I want you. Gerane.~
"You--yog---"
Yes, VIII you come with me nov.
Gerane?"
But came with Elda and reser.
They are not ready to
Put out your foot, please. Let me
take your skates OF, Please, Gs-ars.
dear-I mean it. want you"
Peter came swinging I'D,
What Is the matter. Geranes Has
Uncle JoiItfer sent for yoas~
Col Starcourt has not told me.
Peter, All he viii say is that 7 an
wanted. Tell EldA, please"
Then 1t must De something serious
said Peter. Better let me come aaoax.
may be needed"
i will let YOU know, Peter. II ycu
are needed" said GeEane. quite steadily
now.
She and Starccurt were q hundred
Yards or more down the read before ne
spoke,
Il love you. Gegane, said he. ~Now
you know why ] wanted you 70 cone
home" A long silence. Isis tnere
nothing you can say to me. Gsranegs
She shook tS- head, II do not wish
70 talk" said she. looking straight
ahead, Please be coed enough To-
to-to hold your tongue. SIR