The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-02

into the rom.
dreaming in the dark. as usual" II
called. while its owner stood hover
ing at the threshold. shall come In
and disturb you?"
NO." said Yvette." scrambling hur-
riedly to her feet. almost stumbling in
her eagerness. Il was just coming
| down"
She passed her arm beneath that
Of the intruder, but her heart was
futterng still as they descended the
stairs. Surprising he had been dis
covered? She needn't have troubled.
Had she glanced back into the room
as she came out she would have seen
that anybody entering would have
found nothing but the twilight and
emptiness.
Some few days afterward Yvette.
CHANGING TO be in need of some quaint
garments to help in the dressing of
some quaint characters she was get
ting up persuaded the old housekeep-
er 10 let her rummage in an old attic
at the top of the house, where all such
treasure trove was to be found.
Yvelte was repaid by the rare spoils
brought to light. Yvette's laughter
and chatter filed the somber room
and deadened the sound Of the rain
outside. But presently the laughter
stopped. and only the rain beat loudly
on the SILL"
'WhO-WhO is that?" asked Yvelte,
white Tipped as she held out dusty
photograph to the staring housekeep-
er, the photograph of tall young
man in tweed, with an exceedingly
merry smile.
Why, bless me-" said the house.
keeper, If it isn't the picture Of the
young squire-him who owned Fox
Craft manor. He was killed out hunt.
ing-a terrible stir it caused In the
countryside, l remember"
How long ago was this?" asked
Yvette duly.
LET me see." said the housekeeper.
bordering: "a matter Of 20 years or
more. | should say. I was 'tweeny'
maid in those days In this very house.
Many and many a time have l seen
him come riding up to this Goor. He
was engaged to our young lady-a fine
young lady she was, too-he was fair
set on her. 1t seemed as II he was fair
keep away from the house. She took
on terrible when he died."
rs she dead. too. them" queried
Yvette. still in that pale. small
voice.
she married q London gentleman
afterward." said the housekeeper, land
had seven children. But have heard
she wasn't happy. She's been dead
these four years or MORE" she added.
"Why did you think It necessary to
lie to me?" asked Yvette very coldly
of the ghost that evening.
The ghost, who was lounging com.
fortably In his favorite arm chair, sud.
denly sat upright. His dark eyes lin.
gered long on her white face.
so, little Yvette, you've found me
out at last" he said quickly. "Well. l
had meant to ring down the curtain
myself on the little comedy long be.
fore this: but I was a coward. Yvette,
afraid to face the dark, for l shall be
very lonely. little Yvette, out there, all
alone In the cold and the never ending
night"
But 1t wasn't me you came to see,"
said Yvette. standing before him. slim
and dropping. In her white apron; II
was that other girl-the one you were
to-"
The CHOSE rose suddenly and came
and stood beside her.
Il came to see you always after the
frst time." he said softly. This FIRST
time admit It was to revisit the spot
where I had spent my happiest days,
but afterward- All, Yvette, NO one
has eyes 20 blue % you. They make
L hard for me to say goodby."
But why should It b goodby?"
cried Yvette. sharply. and moved to.
ward him with extended arms. Ghost
" no ghost. I love you!" She strove
% clasp him. but gently be sludsd
her.
mo one may love the dead" he told
her gently. THE dead are beyond love.
hey are bsyong life. Ny little Yvstts.
{ must be goodby."
Then II that 10 co." cried Yvette.
Keeping, 'ah. kiss me once before you
70! Only to feel your arms around
ne. only to feel your lips on mine. will
comfort me In all the empty years."
She stopped. A strangled cry broke
rom her, . great gulf Of cold air seem.
ID suddenly to envelop her. She was
rozen, frozen to the bone: then q mer.
'iful darkness came upon her, and she /
ell forward on her face.
In after years Yvette married. and
vas happy in her choice, but she
ever loved her husband as she had
owed the ghost-The Sketch.