The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-17

death In that moment. only . vague
wonderment that after q whole sea.
son In Washington's diplomatic whirl,
she-Sibyl Traverse-should wandey
down here to Palm Grove. Fla. and
feel her first thrill Of love at the
voice and touch Of . perfect stranger.
She remembered smiling at the alb.
surdity Of it. and then all the world
seemed to turn into smoke and reach.
ing flames.
The first words she spoke an hour
later, as she lay in a guest room M
at Airlie cottage, were in harmony
with the rest of the nights adver.
lures.
What is his name?"
Whose name. Sibyl darling?" asked
her friend. Rose Airlie. anxiously.
Are you hurt much. dear? It didn't
burn your hair a particle
Was the fireman hurt-the one
that saved me?"
Not very badly. Burned around
| the arms and wrists. that was all.
I've wired your father and mother,
and everybody not to worry, that you
are all right. and not to think of
going north until you are quite strong
after this shock. Anyway. | told you
that you simply would have to stay
until the floral ball, and now you
must, you see. It's fate
Sibyl said nothing. She was think.
ing of a pair of gray eyes. and lips
that laughed at peril.
The floral ball was nearly three
weeks later Her chaperOn, Aunt
Stella. had gone back to Washington.
but Mrs. Airlie took her place. and
there was an amused CLEAN in her
eyes that escaped Sibyls attention.
She was still trile pale, and her
eyes seemed sad and troubled. She
wore quaint empire gown of prim.
rose satin.
You look like a miniature paint.
ing of Walewski." laughed Rose
wasn't that the name of the ador.
able Pole Napoleon loved? l only
wish | had suitable mate for you,
Sib. dear. Roy Buell. was my choice.
but the old general has hurried him
back to Atlanta"
Sibyl only smiled wistfully and
picked up her gloves.
I'm not bit interested, Rose, In
any Of the masculine persuasion"
MOI" Rose dimpled mischievously,
Perhaps you may change"
Not half an hour later. as Sibyl |
stood on the great stone terrace that
led on the ballroom with an Annapolis
boy. Rose came up with stranger.
As in a dream Sibyl caught the muir
INJURED name. Roy Buell." But she
was looking again into the eyes Of her
fire hero, hearing again his deep. sure
voice.
But | don't understand one bit,
she exclaimed, as he took the cadets
place. Il feel-oh, just embarrassed
and confused. you know"
Don't know" he laughed. For
three weeks have been fighting with
myself to try to keep away from you.
and here am
But you're not fireman
"Oh. but ! am. We have no pro-
lection here at the beach at all, SO
last summer a crowd of us formed
ourselves into volunteer fire com
pany. Rather fortunate, wasn't it.
when the hotel burned | never saw
myself actually doing the ladder res
cue before that"
You laugh over H." she said slow
", but you saved my life"
He bent suddenly over her hand as
It lay beside him on the broad arm
of the bamboo chair. and kissed It.
Mrs. Airlie was approaching with a
fresh train of admirers.
Il have come back to claim It," he
said, with meaning May I. dear"
She had barely time to answer. but
IS she rose to go the faint, delicious
perfume of the jasmines in her hair
Iwept over him.
You know what the children
;ay." he added. holding her hand
prisoner findings keepings?"
You've got it. haven't YOU she
altered "Oh, please, please don't
They'll see you"
He laughed, a. he held her close
o him.
Hundreds saw me hold you like
his the other night" he told her