The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-28
Their
Promise

During his week at Cumback inn
young Sweeney discovered his fate
for the sixteenth time In his life.
Thereafter he lived and breathed only
when within sight of the dark Wan
kle twin.
The Wankle twins were popular be.
cause they had been obliging enough
to grow up exact opposites. Laura
being extremely dark and Evelyn a
pale blonde. This did away with dis
couraging situations. such as begin.
ming q remark to one twin and mistak.
emily finishing 1t to the other A man
could fall in love with one OF them
with perfect ease Of mind. since 1t
was always possible to tell which was
which.
When young Sweeney had to 60
away he realized that 1t would be all
OF two weeks before he could return.
That desolate period doomed before
him like an eternity.
Say. Laura" young Sweeney
breathed as he held her hand In the
seclusion of the summer house, Il
have an idea! When the Chicago
boat comes down the bay past the inn
you be out on the end OF the pier
and wave a lantern at me and Ill be
up on deck and whistle to y0u!"
How perfectly lovely" cried Miss
Wankle. temporarily drying her tears.
"Thatll be saying good-by all over
again! You are genius. Jimmy!
It's easier to let you 60. now that
can do that"
The inn launch bore away the dole.
full Sweeney, together with dozen
or more fathers and brothers bound
for the Chicago boat. Then present
ly Laura Wankle strOlled disconso-
lately down upon the pier. She found
her sister there with young man
whose fathers industry had made 1t
unnecessary for him to 60 back to
town to work with the rest Of the
men. The two frowned at her. Laura
seated herself, undaunted.
Il am going to wave at Jimmy"
she explained. HE wants me to. I'm
SO sleepy | don't see how can keep
my eyes open another instant, but
wouldn't disappoint him for worlds
when ha oYnocts nv"
"Oh," said the blond twin. more
cheerfully. the Chicago boat is due
to come by In 20 minutes"
Yes. we'll spare you 20 minutes"
said the young man. THAT isn't SO
bad"
Something surely had happened to
delay the Chicago boat There was
no sign OF It down the bay. The
blond twin had coughed at her pen.
sive sister twice distinctly and the
young man seemed politely irritated
at the continued interruption OF bis
special conversation.
you'll fall into the water II you
60 to sleep sitting up that way"
commented the blond twin. severely.
Il should think you'd 60 to bed!"
We'll wave your lantern for you!"
suggested the young man. hopefully.
The dark twin made scornful
sound. "Yes. you would" she
breathed. And poor Jimmy sitting
up to keep his promise to me and be-
Ing disappointed! The Ideal"
Yet as time went on she really
grew terribly sleepy. Besides. she
had kind heart and hated to spoil
her sisters evening. The boat did
not come.
ia feel just scandalous." she
murmured, mot to wave that lantern
at Jimmy II the poor dear boy Is sit.
ting up oil this time 80 as not to dis
appoint me! But It may be hours!
Evelyn Wankle, II you'll promise new.
er to tell on me I'm going to hire
the porter's little boy to sit here and
swing the lantern at tho boat! You
two'd forget"
Anyhow" the dark twin told her.
self. a. she fastened to her room,
leaving the porter's son and heir
dangling his feet over the pier edge.
1T really doesn't make IN difference,
because I'll b there In spirit and
Jimmy'll think It's and % will b
just - happy! I couldn't bear to
disappoiut him. he's 20 faithful"
Some time later when the biz Chi.
eago boat clipped down the bay ana
past the Cumback inn pier YOUNG
Sweeney drowsily turned over in bid
berth ~ certain piercing human whis.
ties from the deck reached HE esra.
Dear little girl!" he murmured. b.
fore 10 sank into the depths Of sleep
again. n wouldn't have disappointed
her for worlds! That kids earning
his quarter. oil right. I told him Ia
whistle % long - no saw the lantern
wave! Think Of her sitting up oil
this time for me! Girls are 50 70.
mantle. "-Chicago Daily News.