The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-09-05
AN OLD SILVER LAMP
Love Note Ten Years Old Brought
to Light.
BY ALICE ORMOND.

Lethridge stepped into the hallway
of the deserted house. Linen shroud-
ed the upholstery, dust lay velvety in
the corners. There was faint Odor
Of mildew. The house had been closed
since his grandmother death, almost
nine years ago When last he quit
ted the place. thought Lethridge. H.
was a boy OF twenty-five, smootf
checked. brighteyed, surcharged VIII
enthusiasm. Now. after his nine hlsy
successful years in the Orient the
familiar surroundings brought l"iSn
antly to mind the change In hime elf
a change made up largely OF TIE r"
linquishing. one by one. OF his b1yisN
dreams How the old house brong'
them back. These faded walls ha
seen the destruction Of the braves
dream OF them all Here It had met
its death, and since then, absurdly
sentimental as it may seem. NOTHING
had quite filled the gap it left, moth
ing had made him forget 1t.
How the memory of Polly Hayden
stayed with him. and yet he had moi
seen her again since the farewell re-
cnptiOn given him here BY his grand
mother on the eve of his departure
He had been almost confident. tho
that she cared for him although Their"
Was his old classmatc Wade Barrow
who was regarded By onlOokers a
having an equal chance with himself
On learning of the sudden luck
which was to send him on his az
pointment to Japan Lethridge had
gone to Polly and asked her to marry
him. II she would consent his plan
was to return for her in year. She
had hesitated at first-it was suc'i
an important decision. she insisted
and she wanted to be quite sure but
she promised to give him his answer
the evening of the reception. he had
gone away happy. full OF hope And
then came the bitter disappointment
,, Polly had come to the reception
how lovely she looked. he recalled. n
but very early she had gone away
with Wade Barrow without word OF
explanation. leaving no message. He
had been hurt. piqued. and had sailed
next day with miserable load on
his heart
Three months later letter from
home told him OF Polly's approaching
marriage-to Barrow Lethridge seh'
her q very beautiful print for a we'd
ding present, received cordial note
in thanks. and that was all Nothing
remained OF the friendship except a
haunting memory OF the girl
Slowly he wandered through the
desolate rooms. reviving old and
sometimes painful recollections. Al
last he drifted into a little study at
the back OF the house and down In
worn leather armchair before a
library table. Over the center OF the
table was swung Greek lamp o.
dull silver. Lethridge looked up al
II with pleased recognition. II was
a graceful thing lie had always ad
mired II when he was boy, Perhaps
he would take Il back with him
tie started into a listening attitude
A step sounded In the hall. Who could
It be-! There was not even a care
taker in the house. A shadow fell
across the doorway T.ethridge rose
with an astonished exclamation as
slender. black. gowned woman ap
peared In the doorway and stopped
still with a frightened expression ir
her purplishgray eyes.
Mrs. harrow said Iethridgo ir
Amusement
Frank" There was no hesitation
In her use OF the first name. 4 !
had no idea you were In America
When did you reach home"
Yesterday came straight oyel
to look at the old place You know
It has been shut up since my grand
mother died, which was Just after
went away But you | didnt
dream OF seeing an old friend here
Mrs Rarrow looked a little cmhar
raised
II borrowed the keys from voul
cousins" she said Il came to lool
for something | left here a Ion!
time ago"
Il See Perhaps can help 70,
find il, suppose you've lived In Nnv
York right along
Except for the last year and Il iiali
which I've sp.ni roaming about Fl!
: rope |. too. hav" inst conie ho~s
nut I'll me about Yourself How do
il feel 10 b. famous '''
Iethrl ire -hrucscd his shoulders
I'm not CT 'iogs Of any parficnla
thrills" ne replied smiling
You are married OF course ~
stupid of me to ask. but "" had l',il
news of You lately"
Indeed. no IKE nor even heen I,
love
No? Surely you're Joking
Not since the fair Polly iIayde,
banlshed hope forever from M
breast" he answered lightly
Il. What do you mean hy that >
she inquired curIously.
HI "V-hv tho usual fhinp V,