The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-14

came ami went. leaving a fearful. We
hhplF maid. with an engagement ring
NAT recalled the loving promise of
Speedy return. and then-no NOR
parings.
NE ring was set with single. per
ieet pearl. II had been his mother S
ana, as she turned II on her finger. sh'
rejected lis purity. and resolved L
De worthy of II.
Mabels eyes grew wide at the men
tion of the ring. and she started to in
terrupt. but. with a glance at Aun'
Hetty's absorbed expression. she
sisted. and listened with a sympathetic
wonder.
Unconscious Of her hearers surprise
the old lady dreamily continued he.
narrative.
The weeks that passed were busy
ones-dressmakers and the whole ret.
niue OF servants preparing for the
event to come. and the time was
checked on daily on the little desk
calendar. as the letters We're written.
The replies were carefully boarded.
and put away in a dainty book. with
Seepsakes Of other days
AT last, the day Of her lovers ar
rival dawned. and she moved about as
II In dream, until she was clasped In
a pair of strong. young arms and real
lied that II meant he end Of part
!ngs
Happy days followed in swift sue
cession. until the wedding day was but
a week distant. While sitting in the
summer house. planning their bright
future. she spoke Of the beauty of her
ring. lie had noticed a little plain ring
that she had always worn, and idly In
CURED about 1t. To tease him. she
ignored the inquiry. thus rousing his
curiosity, and before they realized It.
heated words had followed. Then.
girl fashion. she felt abused. never
thinking of the silly way II had all
started. her own fault, and how easily
II might have been remcdied. lie told
her that If she left In anger. 1t would
he the end. OF course. she did not
think he iraily meant II. and liked to
See how far her power went. so. with
her head in the air, she went to the
house. never dreaming hut what he
would follow her lie did not.
II, III" morning. after a sleeplcss
liGhl. sl" descended the stairs in n
iopchtant mood. 20 find Il note on the
nail 'ah'c. simply informing her Of his
Departure In response to an urgent
mes sage lrem home. will write from
there, WAS the only grain Of comfort
she could see. Frantic at the turn or
affairs she sped up the stairs, back to
follow him in mind. with rrmorseiul
letter.
As she hastily penncd her sorrow
and love the house was aroused by
the news Of a serious railroad acct
dent, I'm which was the vt,v train that
her lover had departed ON. Later came
the news Of his death. caused by n
falling beam, as he was hcrOically
helping the wounded to places Of safe
~ before the fire reached them.
THAT was the end end Of all the
fond hopes and plans she never saw
him again. and you can perhaps
imagine what that girls lifelong re-
morse must have been"
Aunt Hetty's voice was tender. and
her eyes suspiciously moist. as she
noted her niece's cOuntenance.
Nov. you see" she went on. why
| have opened my heart, dcar-tO save
You from like sorrow. for the girl
was I, as you have already guessed.
Time softens all SORROWS, and. eventu.
ally will make all things right"
'I'm going and phone Jack right
now. nun,ics I'm glad you told me,
aud | wish somebody had told you.
shall always remember II. for what
would | do # anything happened to
Jack" With an impusivc hug and
kiss. Mabel hurried out
An hour later two radiant faces he
tokcncd reconciliation. but. as Mabel
buried her face in another bunch OF
roses. shade Of sorrow went over
her AT the thought of the gIrl OF long
ago and her shattered dream Glanc
ing al Jacks happy smile. she thanked
God within herself for The timely
Of Aunt lletty.