The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-06

unaccountably, to hear about the case.
Why, it is an old neighbor OF
yours" declared Mary Dawson. You
surely remember Fred Woodland: He
is lust back from some place in the
southwest where he has been building
a bridge. Was taken at the hotel yes
terday with an ugly fever. 1t is a pity,
for it is such a dreadful place for
him"
is he dangerously ill., Evelyn's
voice sounded strange and uninter.
osted.
He is delirious. and the doctor says
here isn't much to build on-seems to
re gone to pieces generally. He
lis continually about a key. He
l..s me to get il and unlock the door
he can get in. He seems to have
impression that he is locked out Of
h.s own house
lie is" sobbed Evelyn, rushing
s,,l .enly from the room, leaving her
a>tonished friend alone.
, few minutes later white faced
PR. VAS talking earnestly with the
\ I. old doctor.
Why. the very thing" he said.
;ng her shoulder soothingly. 1T
MI be hard to move him. but that
vi be less harmful than for him to
stay where he is. Get the key this
afternoon and we'll get him over there
Ii The morning"
II seemed like sacrilege when the
syl tremblingly begun her search
among his possessions for the key. In
Il small box it lay, with picture of
his mother and-one of herself. She
kissed them all in infinite relief. Then
she FASTENED TO the little white house.
With her own hands, unaccustomed to
labor as they were, she swept and
busted, aired the rooms and built fires.
1T is of no use to interfere" she
told her astonished mother, IF he lives
and wants me, am going to marry
him!"
But Frederick Woodland did not
know when he was placed in his own
bed in the pleasant, sunny chamber.
He continued to beg to be taken home.
II was not until Evelyn with her own
hands placed the key in his weak fin.
gers that he sank to refreshing Stun.
Der.
One day the sick mans eyes opened
with a rational light. He gazed about
him in slow bewlderment. The sun.
light glinted through the windows
Evelyn sat near him In her white
gown over which the fire cast rosy
shadows.
Is it a drcamo" he whispered at
last.
II IL 10 dream; You are really at
home. Freddie" She smiled quietly.
"l'ut how did get hcre?'
You We're i'll at the hotel. We knew
yon would he more comfortable here
at home. 50 | opened the house and
DR.. Way and Nurse Mary brought you
here"
Aud vow"
"Oh, have come over through the
day to look after the house. and to
sit with YOU during the nurses hou,
at home"
Whom do you have to help, Ev
elyn9"
Why. no one, dear boy. do it my
self. Will you believe that | actually
enjoy it? 1t Is the first time ever
did anything useful for anyone. Fred
erick. did not understand how II
could be JOY instead of a hardship
At the look in the sick mans face
the girl slipped to her knees beside
his bed 81 want to come-to stay
Frederick. If YOU still want me-"
Dear" he said. wait. You are pity
ing me now because | am Ill.
1T isn't that. am not afraid any
more; experience has made me wiser
| understand now what made you
mother so lovely. I'll never be Xix,
her, dear for did not begin right
But I'll try so hard to be good wife
VIII you take me back, Frederick"
Woodland put his arms about he
with quite remarkable strength.