The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-04

ncs< IL hs- l>v swsat vcice. "Hcv
y lomt
] VERY we'll. thank you. Oh. l must
tell you. dear. We have . guest
hope you don't mind" apologized
Agatha. II know you wanted a per.
feet rest and to be quite alone with
10. but I'm sure he won't bother you
because he doesn't care for women
any way. and especially the woman
with vocation. You mustn't mind if
he doesn't notice you much"
Dear me. | shan't mind a particle
unless it's some one care especially
about laughed Rosamond. Pray
who Is the horribly unpleasant man,"
Peter Howard-a friend Of Toms. :"
oh said Rosamond, and for a
while she sat very quiet. III he is az
unpleasant as you say I'm sure there
Is no danger that We shall bore each
other very much"
Il know you don't care for men"
went OH Agatha.
81 don't-for many" admitted Rosa
mond
I'm sure you won't care for Peter
Howard-he's dear. and We think a
lot of him. and he's as handsome as q
picture, but he's crusty."
"Crnstyo" Rosamond was laughing.
"You mean disagreeahe9
"Yes, not the sort one would want
to marry, You know, chartered
Agatha. thankful to see the doorway
OF their apartment house.
oh" repeated Rosamond in i
puzzled tone.
When they reached the rov hinGs'
apartment Tom and Peter Howard
were talking in the guest's roon,.
Agatha rushed Rosamord down the
hall into the pretty room prepared
for her, and as The girl removed the
traces Of travel and dressed for din.
ner They talked animatcalv
Just as the gong in the hail an.
nouncel that the meal was served the
four met in the paror. and Mrs Down
ing performed the necessary iltrodlc-
tons.
She exchanged Il lightning glance OF
appreciation with her husband as heir
guests stiiIy acknowledged the intro.
duction. and 50 they went into din
ner.
The conversation became general
as the meal progressed. but il was
Peter Howard. absentmindCdness
that exploded a bomb Of surprise upon
his matchmaking host and hostess
"Rosamond will remember" said
Peter In response to some question OF
Toms.
"Rosanond" repeated Agatha. with
quick glance at the girls lovely,
flushed face
"Rosaniond our RosamOnd?" doomed
Tom. amazedly looking from Rosa.
mond's face to Peters grinning, sheep.
tsh cOuntenance.
Nay" said Peter firmly. mot your
Rosamond mine, Mine since 3
o'clock this afternoon, when We were
quietly married in ST. Stephens
chapel" He reached ont hand and
Rosamond placed her pretty left hand
within It. Peter lifted the third finger
and showed where wedding ring
shone below blazing diamond. Il
fell in love with Rosamond when she
nursed me through typhoid last win
ter and I've been begging her 10 marry
me ever since. When We found we
had both been invited down here at
the same time-we decided to make a
wedding journey out Of II and surprise
you!" He glanced triumphantIy
around.
It's a surprise all right ejacu.
lated Tom. shaking hands violently
with the bridegroom.
But why did you talk SO dreadfully
to me about Peter?' inquired the bride
reproachfully. as she withdrew herself
from Agatha.
And why did you warn me against
Rosamond?" demanded Peter sud.
denly.
The conspirators glanced at each
other and blushed
"Hah!" cried Peter with sudden en-.
lightenment. Matchmaking, Ell? An
old game, my children"
II didn't believe a word OF II, any.
way" declared Rosamond. as she
slipped her hand in her husbands.