The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-09-11
AS seen UNDER
ThRN|ShED MOON
Neither Water Sprite Nor
Spirit of Lake.
sy KATHERINE HoPsoN.

down the sandy, pine-bordered road
leading from Sandoon hotel to the
tents court, he saw, instead Of the ath-
ietic figure OF Jean McNarth, who had
agreed to join him there In game. a
sunny-haired, Organdy-clad vision seat
ed on the bench In an attitude Of
strained expectancy.
At his approach she rose and began
to spell rapidly on her fingers and to
motion across the lake.
Deaf and dumb he calculated,
and mentally called down maledictions
on the faculty for not including the
mute alphabet in his college course.
Where are your friends? May !
+, not see YOU to the hotel?" he bega..
confusodly. and motioned IN that d.
| rection
Her blue eyes watched his hands
and she shook her head again poll;
Ing toward the lake.
He motioned inquiringly in the d
rection of Glen Echo. small summor
resort on the opposite shore. She
nodded relieved smile breaking over
her face.
III could only find out who she
is. and why she happens to be here
| alone" he exclaimed, and vainy
searched his pockets for pencil and
paper. "Of course those articles are
missing when most need them.
Well, anyway, it's evident she wants
to 90 across the lake"
by the waters edge was tied a
| small rowboat, and he led the way
thither, pointed toward it, then again
motioned questioningly toward Glen
Echo. She nodded, SO he helped her
into the boat, united it. took the oars,
and they started in that direction.
The boat was supplied with cush,
ions, and she leaned back like con
fiding child. Though hatless. she car
ried pale green parasol which
brought out the exquisite shell tint OF
her cheeks. Occasionally she glanced
up with smile, but for the most part
kept her blue gaze downcast and
watched the water. as she trailed one
little hand among the lily pads
After Maldon had guided the boat
into the current, he put down the
] oars, rested against the cushions. aud
took out his pipe which he held up in
| Quiringly. She shook her head. go he
lighted It. and watched her through
the smoke
Il don't care to stare her out OF
countenance just because she cannot
speak or hear, but the temptation is
great" he breathed Perhaps her
fluffy femininity made stronger ap-
peal because Of the fact that khaki
and camping outfits were the rule
| among the girls at the mountain re-
sort where he was spending his yaca-
ton.
Such loveliness, and such an az
fiction" he said Every once In
awhile. forgetful Of the fact that she
could not hear, Maldon broke out
with remark: but she paid no heed,
unless she happened to be glancing
that way. then she would give
brave. pathetic little smile.
Dropping. silverleaved poplars bent
over the waters edge, and the two
seemed alone together on the heart
of the lake. Over all was that peculiar
silence. which. in lonely places. pre-
Cedes the sunset
All too soon for Maldon they
gained the opposite shore. aud re-
gretfully he helped her to alight lie
started to lead the way in the drec-
ton of the settlement of Glen Echo,
but she shook her head and started
down winding path leading among
the pines. When she had gone sew
eral rods she paused, and standing
on tiptoes with butterfly motion,
placed one hand on his arm. the
other against his broad chest and
touched his forehead with a soft. light
kiss. Then she gathered up her fuf-
fy skirts and ran like some Wild crea.
ture of the forest. and disappeared
among the trees before the surprised
man realized what had happened In
a moment he plunged after her but
all his eager, earnest search nroyed
fruitless. The girl seemed gone rom
the face of the earth Forgetful tha,
she could not hear he called ana i'm.
plored her to come back rntil dark.
ness fell he searched. then retraced
his steps back TO Glen Echo. but moth.
ing had been seen or heard OF a girl
who answered his description. and he
was obliged to recross the lake with
the mystery unsolved
Next day he returned. and for sew.
eral succeeding days he made him.
self nuisance with his attempts to
find some trace of her. With a
young mans usual fear of ridicule.
he said not word about il TO the
other boarders at the hotel where he
was staying Jean McNarth. a life
long chum, alone was taken into his
confidence.
Though sympathetic and interested
TO a satisfying degree. she could offer
no solution.
Maybe she was a water sprite. or
spirit Of the lake." she laughinely
suggested; but promised TO lend him
her aid
1t was not until the DAYS had
heightened into week that a trace