The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-29

lated and lastly the one which bids
the expectant maiden walk fearfully
around the house. with hair unbound
and mirror held In her hand, timidly
hoping to see the shadowy face OF
her future husband peering over her
shoulder and reflected In the glass.
THAT would give a chap a fair
cnance. observed the captain Sc
riously. when Mrs. Bliss had conclud-
ed. Any fellow that really wanted a
girl. you know. could arrange it 40 that
he might peep over her shoulder jus,
as II struck eight BELLS"
That wouldn't be playing fair"
cried Kitty Gerrick. You wouldn't be
giving the fates their due
Then there is hope for me-" re,
turned Capt. Aymer. with mock
s0lemnity, and as they laughed no one
saw the lightning-like glance that he
shot at their hostess II they had s.en
It nobody would have wondered. for
they did not know that Grace Gerrick
and the handsome captain were old
friends, and would have been more
than friends had not some misunder.
standing arisen between them They
had not met for years until recently.
and the captain had Joined the house
party more as a distant relative Of
Tom Bliss than as a special friend Of
Miss Gerrick. Not even the Blisses
suspected a blighted romance between
the two. although many wondered why
two sll h handsome and altogether de
lighlful people should have remained
unmarried.
After dinner there was music in the
drawHS room and the topic OF Hal
lowe.n vas not brought up again As
Ion. motor ride had been planned
for tie next day and an early start
was essential. The company broke NJ
Shortly after midnight
Caps Aymcr went out on the yer.
anda fur "A final cigar before going
NJ 70 his room The first quarter ui
the moon was rising above The distant
mountain. and the broad path tina; en-
circltd the house lay revealed The
captain was thinking sOmew hat bitter
~ 81 What might have been If til,
'ates lad taken "A kindly hand in his
affairs when suddenly there WAS en-
acted :, little scene that wruns his
hear, 50 poignant that his memory III
his tiist and only love
khil Gerrick Was tirtooins cautious
~ around the house with her back
TOWARD him. "A silver hand glass held
before her face, the skirts of her nj
ira Eodern gown he'd above the camp
ness OF the path twentieth century
assurance and practical common sense
hand in hand with ancient supersti
ton Coming softly behind her. TAX
ing her by surprise, was youns llazen
With little sigh, he tossed ava, his
cigar and Capt. Aymer stole into the
house
The great hall was deserted and
one dim candle burned on distant
table Standing near the stairway.
with her back toward him was Grace
Gcrrick adjusting Il wave Of her beau
titul white hair before IA looking glass
that hung over a table
Capt Aymer hesitated one Instant
and than with several quick steps he
stood behind her and their eyes met
in the glass, and were held until
Grace turned the full glory of her low
ing glance 10 him. IF | had only
done thi. wears before" hr sighed AS
their lips met
1T Was my fault that YOU did not,
she cried softly THAT is Why stood
there and waited for YOU TO come in
wanted YOU 10 have your chance"
Kitty derrick and her lover looked
through Tie side lights of the iroHt
door ana saw the two beautiful white
heads 50 close e gethcr Young VA.
zen's arm tighicnei about his sweet.
heart
Il shall never cal il Jack q Ian
tern might after This br"aihcd kit
~ sof,l. aS they entered the house,