The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-04

an usher. ! did not contradict the er'
ror. because | saw you were strah'
gers. ard | knew ! could give you
much better seats than the ones you
occupied"
1T was certainly blunder on my
part" laughed Mrs Warburton, Dut !
am very grateful for your kindness.
The street seemed crowded to q
greater extent than warranted by the
number of people issuing from the
theater A yender OF patent medicine
had insisted on holding his exhibition
in the street. The police were endeav.
oring 10 prevent him and to disperse
the crowd. who espoused the cause OF
the medicine man.
The usher opened the door Of the cab
and assisted Mrs. Warburton to enter.
AS he then turned to Marie, a sudden
gust of wind blew the door shut. The
cabman. without turning his head,
fiicked his whip and drove rapidly
away, leaving Marie and the usher at
the curb.
The struggling mass OF citizens,
medicine man and police came their
way with rush. and a panic ensued.
The usher caught Marie up with one
arm and used the other to good serv.
ice in clearing a passage. Finally he
succeeded in reaching corner which
he turned and they found themselves
in dark, quiet street. Marie still
chung TO her escort, speeches. and
breathless from terror. When she re.
gained her composure they started to
walk to the hotel.
I should have been trampled to
pieces by that mob, but for you." she
exclaimed. How did you manager"
Il was on the football team at Har.
vard," he laughed.
Before she could reply a cab drove
up to the curb and Mrs. Warburton
looked anxiously out
"As soon as l succeeded in making
the driver understand" she said. Il
made him drive back for you"
Marie got into the cab; they babe
the usher adieu, and before they had
finished their conversation with him
the driver was away again.
During the journey westward
Marie found her thoughts often stray.
ing to the usher and the incidents OF
the evening. At Los Angeles round
OF gayeties awaited them, for the oc.
casion of their trip to the coast was
the marriage OF Mrs. Warburton S
nephew, George Alexander. Two or
three days before the wedding Marie
was confined to her bed with q cold,
but at the hour set for the rehearsal
she managed to appear at the church.
as she was to be one OF the brides
maids. AS she entered the vestibule
she heard a voice saying: Miss War.
burtOn?"
She turned with joyous little ex.
clamatiOn.
Il am a bona tide usher this time"
he said, land trust have the loca.
ton OF the pews. Did your cousin
tell you that we were to walk down
the aisle together"
lie said,' she answered demurely,
that was assigned to a college
friend Of his, Roger CORVALLIS, but
of course did not know It was YOU
That stupid cabman drove OF before
we could ask your name"
THAT is where had the advan.
tage." he said. Il was sure you were
Marie Warburton. whose picture
had seen in Georges room. Before
| could tell you so the cabman drove
up and then drove away again. |
called at the hotel the next morning.
but found you had gone'
whats the correct time, Roger"
asked George, coming up to them. my
watch has stopped. Oh, am glad you
'wo have met at last"
"Half-past seven" replied Roger,
consulting his watch. which he still
held when George had passed on to
Join the others.
He pressed the spring and the back
cover flew open.
Il suppose" he said. Il ought to
show you this"
And to Marie's surprise she saw in
the watch little picture OF herself,
one she had had taken when she first
came out.
George gave It to me-" he ex-
planned. land l have always been long.
ing to meet you"
And in her heart Marie was saying.
And have always been longing to
meet you."