The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-16

1T was too cold to stand outside"
she explained and waited for his
question.
II am Rob Wallingford," he began
meeting the easy cordial expression
of her blue eyes Il am one Of the
belated passengers of the bridge tie
up and decided to run over and see II
Jack Everly would take pity on an
old friend and"
"Jack Everly left Yankville," a
smile played about her lips at men,
ton of the illustrious village. some
six or seven months ago"
Embarrassment disappointment and
surprise mingled equally In Walling-
ford's face and did not escape the
eyes of Sylvia Vale. She spoke with
ready tact.
Take Off that great coat, anyway.
and come into the fireside. It's no
night to be out"
Wallingford followed the slim gray.
clad figure in a decidedly chaotic
state of mind Mingled with his en-
barrassment at having walked into
an absolute strangers house, was the
sudden attraction he felt for this girl
with the sun-llt hair Something-the
combination perhaps-was making him
feel like a tongue-tied schoolboy. It
was a most unusual state of mind for
Bob Wallingford.
There was patter Of little feet
and a tiny boy Of three years threw
himself into Wallingford's arms.
"Oh.h! Are you Santa Claus!" he
cried gleefully II heard your sleigh
bells and saw your big fuzzy coat!
Mamma, isn't he Santa CLAUSE"
The child's mother would have
spoken but Wallingford's eyes plead
ed for silence.
you young rascal! You caught
old Sanity this time. didn't you? And
be came especially to find out what
you wanted him to bring down the
chimney"
"Wallingford! How in the name Of
oil that's possible did you get here?''
Dick Elkins. an old chum Of New
York days, stood in the doorway and
held out glad hand Of welcome.
A weight Of relief fell from Walling
ford's shoulders. He was no longer a
stranger in a strange house And did
he imagine It, or did a glad light come
also into the eyes Of the woman?
How about YOURSELF" he asked
when they had shaken hands.
This is my own house and my owl
sister," laughed Elkins. But where
in the world did you and Mrs. Vale
strike up an acquaintance? He cas-
an interrogative glance at his sisetr
isis. you never told me-"
Sylvia glanced quickly at Walling
ford and a deep blush mingled Will
the glow from the fire in her cheeks
She explained the circumstances AM
Wallingford was quickly made to fee
that he had come to the right house
Il will stay under one condition
only" he said finally. and that is tina
you all will accept, without protest
the Christmas gifts which | brough
for my sister and her family-with
out question"
There was a moments silence an
the promise was made. laughingly.
But We will have to return the IA
vor." brother and sister spoke as on
voice.
So 1t was decided.
TOO bad Vale couldn't get here.
remarked Elkins. later In the evenin
when. the small boy having bee
tucked into bed. the three sat abou
the blazing fire.
"Yes-we would have made joll
quartet" said Sylvia.
Wallingford was almost guilty OF
gasp. The calm. unconcerned way !
which she remarked that her husban
would have completed . quartet Q
Christmas eve had he been able to q
there, was rather disconcerting.
na~h rr1ksws arnon ana lnft the fooj