The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-27
Al Twelve O'C|ock
By MARION GORDON

0y Wn<An1AlV OOuSOA/lV
The Lawton's Halloween party was
in full swing at eleven o'clock. A
pair Of grinning. candle-illuminated
pumpkins adorned the gate posts and
the piazza was hung with smaller
jack O. lanterns. Inside the house.
walls and ceilings were hung with
cobwebs cunningly fashioned from
Irvine and from every corner there
peered glassily-staring owls and evil.
looking witches. the latter accompa'
MED by broomstick and black cats
From a corner obscured by rough
iaggots from the forest. came the
sound of stringed instruments The
orchestra was concealed there and
dancing was going on. 1t was a cos
tune party and the rooms were filled
with whirling forms clothed In gar
ments OF fanciful beauty or gro
tesque absurdity of form or color
The various mismated couples pro-
voked much merriment. Mrs. Law.
ton. stout and jolly. was CARRIED as
the unhappy Ophelia while her part
ner, Major Morse. a thin. dyspeptic-
looking man. depicted Punchinello.
His Satanic Majesty danced with
a demure little Quakeress, district
messenger boys were paired of with
medieval danes and the Knave OF
Hearts carried refreshments to Old
Mother Hubbard and her faithful dog.
Now, contrary to tradition. Old
Mother Hubbard was the pretsiest
girl in the gathering and she was far
from being old In spite OF the snun'
cOlOred gown she wore with Its en-
yeloping white apron and dangling
bunch Of keys: for the mob cap sat
cOquettishly on her sunny hair and
she could not keep the dimples from
her pink cheeks and white chin. al
though she did try to maintain a 80.
Der demeanOr.
Mother Hubbard" said the Knave
Of Hearts as he dropped to one knee
and presented tray Of ices, Il have
no tarts but here is q biscuit tor
toni, II you please"
Elsie Hilyer ate her ice daintily
while the handsome Knave Of Hearts.
Arthur Beckman, sat down beside her
with his own plate In his hand. In
his present state Of mind It was sui.
ficient food and drink to gaze upon
Elsie's loveliness. to watch the
changing shadows on her face and
harken to the sweet lit Of her voice.
You didn't find q bone for my poor
dog" she suddenly chided him. to
break an embarrassing silence.
Arthur picked up the droll. stuffed
dog that was perched on Elsie's lap
and beat 1t emphatically against his
knee. "Confound the dogs" he com.
planned bitterly. Every time I've
tried to speak seriously with you to-
night, Elsie. you've dragged poor
Fido into the conversation. Why not
give me a straight answer and"
Elsie reached over and rescued the
dog from his reckless hands, THAT
belongs to my little niece. Kitty blair.
and promised Kitty that no harm
should come to poor Fido Is It not
enough that poor FidO should be with.
out his bone?"
And put me out of my Misery"
interrupted Arthur. relentlessly con-
GLIDING his sentence.
Her face was rose pink as she bent
1t over the woolly dog. Il cant tell
you just now-let us wait a while
until after the games. You haven't
given me time to think"
Arthur's face heightened. III you
want time to think it over" he said
gravely. I'm afraid I'm out of II he
cause II you really cared. you'd know
right off,"
wait until after the games"' she
repeated in low voice.
Until after twelve o'clock"
YES"
"And you will not escape--yOu will
tell me them"
Il will be here at little after
twelve" she murmured. and then an
other partner claimed her and she
was gone without one glance from
her soft brown eyes to comfort him
or give him hope.
That was the last dance before the
games and the entire company found
seats and prepared TO put to test all
the legendary charms Of Halloween.
Partners were chosen and once more
Arthur Beckman found himself beside
the girl he loved.
Elsie's cheeks were deeply flushed
and her eyes sparkled with some in
ward excitement. She was merry
and gay until the charms were tested.
Then quietness settled down upon
her like filmy veil Of sorrow. but
occasionally she brushed 1t aside to
smile or return merry quip.
The charms were provokinsly in
auspicious for the furthering of Ar
thur Beckmans desires All the Grim
son apple parings that Elsie tossed
over her shoulder fell into obstinate
" curying VS. instead of the AS
that would indicate that Arthur was
10 be her future mate. The melted
lead when dropped in cold water took