The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-09

taiS f'llt e.
Ven Grace had been j" .lr ne~
fal oyer Il mont !, ltt,r
c5A.e aIirt ssed 10 Mrs. Mary ScIan-
lai.. aua Was handel BY tie postmas-
lfr 10 Mercy Schuyler. Grc@l Has her
a.mise on reading il 10 Grace to find
at tt leuer Was from NJ s;eran-
MS hrothn1. in.orr Ing her CT his a.
.ital ii III Alad Siarla, ana that
hn should co.le "a o,i,a u his sister.
50 lnos .or ne iu-c IS soon as yon
ceiye this. have lois =. good news
~ lc'l you. vour long lest. eu' fo.nd
arcrcr aud over, brother, J ai'.," he
episslo conci'lt.ed ana Gl-ce c..ed as
Aitrp, read the E::9c.
Why it must be uncle Joe, WHO
WIS drowned in Il shipwyeck more
than year ago."
Mercy smiled feebly. ut looks as
If uncle Joe were not drowned after
all" she said without much enthus-
iasm. Her face grew grave as She
asked, What shall q if your uncle
wants to take you away from me?'
"Oh, | just wouldn't CO." answered
her small adorer, twining both arms
about Mercy's neck. You are the
one | love-
Mercy felt the JOY of that childish
caress, but fear began TO shape it.
self in her thought. What right had
She to refuse him. if this new found
uncle should claim his little nicce?.
The morning after the letter there
came a sharp knock at Mercy Schuy-
ler's door, and she opened it well know
ing who it must be. A tall, fine look
ing much-bronzed man stood before
her.
is this Miss A.elc. Schuyler And,
upon being assured that it was. he con-
tinued: 81 am told that you have by
little niece staying with you-can |
see her."
F'oloNing Mercy into the house he
spied Grace standing near the window.
He at once caught her up in his arms.
You poor baby" he said in a brok
a voice. ITO think you are all that
IS left 10 NE on earth-but how glad
| am that there is YOU AMI he kissed
hcr so lovingly that small Grace could
not help giving him Il small hug IN re-
lllrn.
Then there followed the whole tale
Of his having been cast away on an
nninhabircd island with the halt dozen
Jthels who We're saved from the week
al slip, as helpless prisoners, until
th,ir rescue only few weeks back
Nj his ventures had proved success
tll, and Joseph Granville had been
Fastening home to gladden. his sisters
hoart with the news hat she should
ave With him in ease and comfort.
Later the s. hicct when Mary
E,hayl"r drcaigl was preached.
Grace will have 10 take her iu2her's
place now. IN Gazing FOR her lonely
lncie. And believe me, Miss Mcrcy,
YOU have my lie long gratitude that
vou have so kindly cared for the
baby" Ills sincerity was evident. but
Mcrcy's face showed only sorrow.
while Grace began TO cry and cling
close to her beloved guardian
Il don't want to leave Miss Mercy"
she sohbcd
Mercy asked: What shall do with
out my little girl?"
At first Joseph Granville looked
nonplnssed, then he took heart and
said:
ut would not be showing much
gratitude TO rob you of the young.
ster IL you want her. SO perhaps it
will be best for her to stay with you
at present, and | will see II can't
win some of her affection for my
SELF"
Mercy thanked him. Il should be
simply desolate without Grace" she
concluded.
Uncle Joe settled down as a board.
er in comfortable farm house near
by, and spent most of his waking
hours in the company of Mercy Schuy.
Ter and Grace.
Late one afternoon as they were re.
turning from walk. Grace running
on ahead, Joseph Granville said to
Mercy: Il have thought out a perfect
plan to make Grace and myself happy,
II only you will consent to it."
Tell me what 1t is" commanded
Mercy in quick alarm, and Joseph an
swered:
Grace is beginning to like me- but
she would never be content away from
you; and have followed Gracie's ex-
ample and fallen in love with her
guardian. Won't you take us both
for life? You are the dearest and
best woman on earth" he ended fer.
vently.
For little space there was silence.
then. Il think your plan is good