Evening star., 1933-06-04
PO'R RICHARD
By Odgers T. Gurnee.
A Delightful Love Story of
Beautiful Girl and a Man With
Too Much Money.
By Odgers I. Gurnee.

and she never neglected her weekly visits to
Hartland.
I've come to ask if you'll make me matron
of honor" she announced on one occasion.
Juno Early" Lei said what are you driv-
Ing at?" ,
heard him tell Julia Stowe that you were the
fairest flower in Kentucky-or something OF
that sort, So" she spread her hands, laugh
ing I'm expecting an announcement"
Lei was on her feet in an instant
John Martin Park will find there's one thing
in Kentucky he can't buy she said, and be-
fore the amazed Juno could qualify her jest,
the mistress of Hartland had flung out OF the
room.
Nothing that happens in a household is long
a secret from the servant and Richard, by
dint of brilliant diplomatic effort, learned the
details.
THE next day he left Hartland Hall. "Ah'm
mighty sorry, Mis- Lei" he said, "but Abs
got sum wuk in town an Ahm 'bliged to take
it, But Ahll shuah be back he added.
That night Sam, the Park houseboy, went to
town and returned late the next morning SO
terrifically intoxicated that he relieved from
duty forthwith And upon his passing arrived
Richard Oliver, resplendent in reasonably
new black suit. He was hired.
John Park issuing from his study early one
morning came upon his new houseboy poised
rigidly on top of mound, his eyes fixed on
distance. what the devil are you doing?" he
demanded.
Richard started guilty. "Mah goodness,
Mist Park how you did scair me. All was jess
lookin' to see could All see Mis- Prentice, ne
answered. Pointing through the trees, he ex-
planned. "Ovah yonder's where she allus takes
her mo'nin' hawseback ride"
rofo 1ao uuofr
"Ah wuked theah long time an All shuah
thinks heap o. Mis- Lel,' he said after a short
pause.
Another silence-then chuckle.
"You know Mist Park, All heerd Mis- Lei
say one time that she amt never seen yo' face.
Right funny count you all bein' sech close
neighbors.'
The pause was shorter this time
'cNossah-reckon she wouldn't know you ct
she was to meet up with you right out there in
at lane tomorrow monn.
The early tang was just tempering off the air
when Lei Prentice turned her mares head
into the back lane. She swept around the
shadowed bend but before the mares nose had
fairly made the turn, she reined in with
sharp cry of establishment. Square in the mid
die of the lane sat young man in corduroy,
his hands gripping twisted knee, his face
lined with pain.
A THRUST of her body, and Lei threw the
~ plunging animal to side. She dis
mounted and turned. He was sitting as she
had first seen him, smiling at her. Through
eddies of dust that sprayed about them, she
noted he was more than just nice looking, that
he had really fine eyes, and undoubtedly he
was in pain. She felt an impulse to return
his smile.
What has happened?" she asked
"A poacher pays the price," he answered.
81 trespassed on your land, tried to jump the
do haI LAM iy, fro jifr1,
He grinned ruefully. "Its my knee-an old
enemy
He made an effort to rise but was forced to
sink back. She staring at him. II see
you remember me-" he said.
The smile flashed back across her memory.
eyes, she answered. THE agent who tried
to buy Hartland for Mr. Park
Let me help you," she said suddenly and
slipped a capable arm beneath his shoulder.
Slowly she pulled upward and he gained his
feet. Reaching in shirt pocket he fished out
heavy clasp knife. IF you'll help me hobble
stick and get along"
viii you be able to continue your walk?"
she asked, bit too brusquely. He sensed the
hostility in her voice
You are making me the butt for your dis
like of Mr.. Park" She did not answer.
Really, though" he continued in a musing
voice, "he doesn't deserve such harsh treat
ment-"
She checked him abruptly. II don't care to
discuss Mr. Park"
They walked in silence for space. Then:
II think he only went on with this buying
for the fight of it, When you turned him
down SO sharply it made sporting PROPOSE
tion of it's
Lei shifted Indignantly. IF he wanted to
make it a sporting thing why did he use
money-why didn't he choose weapons that
could match?"
The hmping man looked at her in silence