The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-20


promised favors. however. Bruce
Bowie waited until he had finished
his work at the ONCE. and then made
his way to . certain address CORE
spending with the one written on the
letter In the hang-bag.
Miss Rita Carlton was at home. he
learned. and the elevator speedily
brought him to the door OF her apart.
ment. With no little trepidation, he
found himself ushered into q tiny r..
ceptfon room. oil green and gold, with
great cluster Of crimson roses glow.
ing on the center table. and dim lights
twinkling from the shaded sconces. A
swishing Of soft silken skirts IN.
nounced Miss Cartons coming. and
Bruce turned with q scarcely con.
cealed eagerness. Would she appear
as lovely As her photograph!
For an instant, his heart seemed to
cease beating. and q strange chill
swept over him. A dignitied little
woman. pale. gray-haired. with bright
black eyes sunken beneath straight,
brows was standing before him.
You wished to see me-" asked
Miss Carlton. In thin. polite tones.
"I-yes-that is,'A Bruce pulled him.
self together. Il called to see Miss
Rita Carlton"
THAT is my name"
Then, think have your property
here in this box. A handbag"
"Oh. how fortunate: Let me see.
l am indeed glad, Mr."
MY name is Bruce Bowie"
"Oh, Mr.. Bowie, how can l thank
you? You see some of these things
are valuable. How did it fall In your
hands. wonder?'
Bruce told his story while she
looked over her papers.
Yes, they are all right-Dut where
is my picture? Why, was sure |
had that picture in it-but perhaps
now, l might have left it somewhere.
You didn't see a picture-but OF
course not. Well, I'm very much
obliged. I'm sure, Mr.. Bowie. Good
day."
Bruce descended in the elevator
with his spirits fallen to zero. The
| picture-the lovely face that had en-.
thralled him. was that OF an Old-time
beauty, now faded and lined by the
relentless hand of time. Only the
dark eyes shining out of the white
elderly face spoke Of the loneliness
that had graced the youth Of Miss
Rita Carlton.
The young man was surprised at
the shock Of his own disappointment.
the bitterness OF the mood which had
taken possession Of him. He stood
irresolute In the doorway Of the build.
ing with a feeling that somehow life
had suddenly grown gray and empty.
There was nothing that he could think
Of that he wished to do; no place
where he cared to 60. A strange
apathy seemed to have fallen upon
him. and robbed him Of all desire and
ambition.
As he stood there, the front door
opened and a blast Of chill evening
air rushed in and made him SILVER
Then he felt the blood coursing warm
ly and wildly through his veins
There. before him. like an apparition
Of the past. stood Rita" young. beau.
tiful, blooming. with her dusky eyes
staring chldishly at him, and her soft
scarlet lps parted They both stood
silently gazing into each others eyes
for a full moment; then Bruce real
lied that she was waiting for him to
step aside and allow her to pass.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Rita" he
said gently.
She walked slowly toward the ele-
yator and looked back as she was car
ried aloft. The young man stood just
within the door, his hat in his hand
and his appraised eyes solemn and
shining. Her own wondering. intent
gaze held his until the car bore her
out OF sight.
Four days later, Bruce Bowie
through the courtesy of a mutual
friend who was discovered after an
arduous campaign among his acqualnt'
ances in town, was presented formally
to Miss Rita Carlton and her charm
ing niece and namesake who was visit
ing her for the winter season. -Four
months later, young Rita was be
trothed to young Bowie; and on the
day of her marriage, early in the fol
lowing May, the elder Miss Carlton
presented har with hand-bag-the
one which had brought about the TO
mantle turn of affairs.
Il know you will prize this for It's
associations, Rita" she said. And
inside | have put a part OF the legacy
which was to have been yours some
day"
Bruce placed a fond arm around
the girl.
Dear lady" he answered tenderly
"we appreciate your goodness-both
of us-but nothing that bag can ever
hold will be as valuable to me as lhe
article I now confess to having stolen