The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-15

10 GILL upOu yVo w ~>~'F
that respect-I don't know mucn
about fripperies."
1t was Mrs. Armstrong; turn to
look surprised and then amused.
Elizabeth will not take kindly to our
interference" she said. "She has
chosen her own clothes ever since she
was ten years old"
"Oh!" stammered Dick blankly.
conscious that he was talking at cross
purposes with Elizabeth's companion.
Deity he changed the subject and
waited for the appearance Of this pre-
cocious Elizabeth. who was undoubted'
" a little older than he had had rea.
son to believe. Miles Weldon was such
careless fellow 1t would be Just like
him to forget the age Of his only
child.
"A few years more won't make
much difference" he was thinking
when the door opened and . girl en-.
tered.
A girl Of nineteen she was. with
small oval face framed In misty
black hair; a pair Of hazel eyes and q
scarlet mouth that smiled at him with
charming shyness.
Elizabeth. this Is your guardian.
Mr.. Betting" said Mrs. Armstrong de-
murely.
AS Dick bent low over the girls
slender hand he recovered his equa.
nimity.
Il was looking for a nine-year-old
girl" he said with his charming smile
I'm afraid had relegated you to the
schoolroom for ten long years."
Elizabeth laughed softly. "How
dreadful when have just hidden
good-by to 1t forever!"
Il even contemplated selecting your
Clothes" went on Dick gravely.
Horrors! You will forgive me
too; but thought you would prove to
be quite-an old gentleman" blushed
Elizabeth. thereby increasing her love
illness. you see. my fathers hair wal
white-and l thought you were hi
friend-and were Of the same age"
Your father was fifteen years old
or than l." explained Dick. rather
hastily. He did not want this beauti
full ward of his to look upon him al
an old man. He stole shy. anxiou:
glance into an opposite mirror to re
assure himself as TO his appearance
and therein caught the amused glance
Of Mrs. Armstrong.
ooh, you are years younger thai
my father" said Elizabeth. kindly.
Thanks" murmured Dick. and thel
producing the letter he had receive,
from her father he gave il 10 her.
She read it with tender eyes fillet
with tears. "A mistake has beef
made" she said rs she gave it back t
him. This is letter my father mus
have written ten years ago, when hi
suffered bad attack of heart diseas'
and believed himself 10 be dying
There is Il later letter written durinl
his last ln,. 5. In the confusion fol
lowing death the lawyer, Mr.. Eel,
some. h,ust have forwarded you tn
wrong letter. T." had charge of tn
papers
Il am glad" said Dick heartily. an
then because he could not explain I,
them how clad he was he made al
engagements for hcm TO dine with hin
that evening ana hurried away.
Gordon joined them at dinner. an
his ama2emcnt AT sight of Dick
charge WIS delightful to witness. T
Dicks disgust tn" fat, eood-naturc
clubman appeared more impresse
with the charms of Mrs. ArmstrOn
than with those Of the beautiful girl.
'IIow is your orphan?" he askc
Dick one day.
- hope she is happy" returne
Dick with tender smile. "for she ha
just promised to marry me-"
"Glorious," cried Gordon. with
squeeze of his big hand. I'VE wi
make II double wedding!"
Not Mrs. Armstrong;"
None other. OF course, know sh
hasn't "A sou and ought to MARI
money. but I'm simply gone on hel
Dick. and I'll change my whole mod
OF life Just to gain her" Then. an,
iously, Haven't YOU heard that 1t wa
cheaper for two to live than onl
one?"
Lets all try It," said nick soberl,