Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-18


Lola AS he came to a row of gray stone houses
in Hyde Park, he stopped short before one and
gave exclamation of surprise. The only thing
that marked the residence as different from the
others with which it stood was the panel curtains
stretched plain in front of the windows and door.
Each panel displayed an elaborate lace center OF
unusual design and beauty.
Il can't be mistaken. They are Lolas curtains,
Leonard said half aloud. "Three-four-seven
just the number she had
He was stunned for the minute and incapable
of deliberation. Acting on impulse he hastily
mounted the stone stairs and pushed the bell but
ion The door curtain directly in front OF
him and he could trace the design with his finger
from the outside of the glass. They are hers |
am right" he muttered. "This is the first one
she made. There is the L she hid in corner so
nobody but ourselves would notice it. Leonard.
ola. and Love-, that's what she said it stood for
Then the circumstances of the present burst
upon Leonard and innumerable thoughts crowded
through his mind. What if Lola didn't live here?
What if she had married and were Haunting the
symbols of their love to the public?-it was three
months since she had left home No. no, that
couldn't be- But wouldn't it be better to find out
something about the occupants of this house first?
What in the world had possessed him to act so
hastily?"
The house stood up so tall and straight that it
looked gloomy and forbidding, and Leonard's one
desire now was to get away quickly before anyone
answered his ring.
lie had hardly started when click at the door
compelled him to turn pleasantfaced, white
tie whole aspect of things for Leonard, she looked
so cheerful; and he hesitated but second
Il beg your pardon" he greeted her. removing
his hat but your curtains attracted me. They
very beautiful
Mrs. Whitney smiled in pleased way. Leon
ards frank face evidently impressed her favorably.
81 have had great many complimentary
remarks about them," she told him.
MY interest in them is more than passing
Leonard continued. "In fact recognize them as
tbo bond diIvo Of NO lad irving
to find for several weeks. She left home through
a misunderstanding Try he would Leonard
could not but show his pent up feelings and the
effect of his long suspense. His dark. earnest
eyes looked appealngly to Mrs Whitney for help,
and she, showing unusual supply of human
interest and kindliness. for city woman opened
her heart and her home to the stranger
Won't you step n?" she invited him, and led
The way to her parlor.
AS Leonard entered the prettily furnished room.
he remembered the dismal and forbidding impres
sion the house made upon him when he was stand
ing alone at the door. and wondered at 1t. The
just such room as he had often
imagined himself and Lola having for their own
parlor Lola's curtains at the window and
rhe many pretty things every side displayed
= taste as dainty as her 1t seemed as though
Lola must be somewhere around hiding behind the
draperies, perhaps, waiting to surprise him.
Would you mind telling where you got the
cnrtains?' he asked Mrs. Whitney, his heart
humping hard as he waited for the answer
Il bought them from an Irish who
selling notions and laces from door to door, ]
couldn't resist them they were so beautiful, and
besides. the @oman's story appealed to me-"
The womans story" Leonard caught at the
words. Wont you tell me what the woman's
story was?' he begged.
'It of young woman-not much more than
a GIRL fancy-who was stranger in the city
She roomed with the Irish woman. and worked
down town until she taken sick. She had no
friends and very little money and worried con-