The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-29

came and went. leaving a fearful. vel
happy maid, with an engagement ring
that recalled the loving promise of a
speedy return. and then-no more
partings.
The ring was set with single. per
feet pearl 1t had been his mothers
and. as she turned il on her finger. she
reflected its purity. and resolved to
be worthy OF it,
! Mabels eyes grew wide at the men,
ton Of the ring. and she started to in
terrupt. but. with glance at Aunt
Hetty's absorbed expression, she re-
sisted, and listened with sympathetic
wonder.
Unconscious of her hearers surprise
the old lady dreamily continued her
narrative.
The weeks that passed were busy
ones-dressmakers and the whole ret.
lnue OF servants preparing for the
event to come. and the time was
checked off daily on the little desk
calendar. as the letters We're written
The replies were carefully boarded.
and put away in dainty book. with
keepsakes Of other days.
AT last. the day of her lovers ar
rival dawned, and she moved about as
If in dream. until she was clasped in
pair of strong. young arms and real.
lied that 1t meant the end of part.
ings
Happy days followed in swift sue
cession. until the wedding day was but
week distant. While sitting in the
summer house. planning their bright
future. she spoke Of the beauty of her
ring. He had noticed a little plain ring
that she had always worn, and idly In
quired about 1t. To tease him. she
ignored the inquiry. thus rousing his
curiosity, and, before they realized It.
heated words had followed. Then.
girl fashion. she felt abused, never
thinking OF the silly way 1t had all
started. her own fault. and how easily
1t might have been remeded He told
her that il she left in anger. 1t would
be the end. or course, she did not
think he really meant it, and liked to
see how far her power went. so. with
her head in the air. she went to the
house. never dreaming but what he
would follow her He did not
I'm the morning, after sleepless
night. she descended the stairs in a
repentant mood, to find a note on the
hall table. simply informing her of his
departure. In response to an urgent
message from home. VIII write from
there. was the only grain Of comfort
she could See Frantic at the turn Of
affairs she sped up the stairs back to
follow him in mind. with remorseful
letter.
"As she hastily penned her sorrow
and love. the house was aroused by
the news OF a serious railroad acct.
dent, in which was the very train that
her lover had departed on Later came
the news OF his death. caused by a
falling beam, as he was herOically
helping the wounded to places OF safe
ty before the fire reached them.
THAT was the end-end of all the
fond hopes and plans-she never saw
him again, and you can perhaps
imagine what that girls lifelong re-
morse must have been"
Aunt Hetty's voice was tender. and
her eyes suspiciously moist. as she
noted her niece's countenance.
Now. you see," she went on. why
| have opened my heart. dear-tO save
you from like sorrow. for the girl
was l. as you have already guessed.
Time softens all sorrows, and. eventu-
ally will make all things right"
I'm going and phone Jack right
now. aunties I'm glad you told me-
and wish somebody had told you. |
shall always remember it. for what
would do II anything happened to
jack" With an impulsivc hug and
kiss. Mabel hurried out.
An hour later two radiant faces be-
tokened reconciliation. but. as Mabel
buried her face In another bunch OF
roses, a shade Of sorrow went over
her at the thought Of the girl Of long
ago, and her shattered dream Glanc-
Ing at Jacks happy smile. she thanked
God within herself for the timely
warning Of Aunt Hetty.