The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-03

WI UvVy ~ uD0D0s
us& Jin's ahest nale - ~ |
min1 y I'VE n Pdgas ~ rod q. |
rset. Hes ny nspksw. you tnGw. Ny |
sister md cane ~ last speins nom
Philadelphia = tve and 10 astsd - |
to take charge q tAs houss OVER
there"
After half an hours intsrviow. sa&
isfactory as5angemsnts were eooclud.
Cd and. With the key tightly claspsd
IN her cold fingers. Francesca found
herself for the Arst time In three long
years walking trsmuiously up TIE
hower-bordered path that led TO the
low veranda.! Her breath came in
little jerks and the blood pounded In
her temples. She applied the key
to the lock almost In . dream and
pushed open the door.
At sight Of the familiar objects
within q sudden sense Of suffocation
came upon her. It passed In . mo
ment and she entered the 1rst room
she came to mechanically. The air
was fresh and clean. and not q sign
Of dust was In evidence. The spinsteF
aunts had attended to that. and the
girl sank into . chair with . Sigh Of
relief. She had fully expected to nnd
the place musty and damp and had
been mentally bracing herself to meet
the emergency.
She must have at there ct least
quarter Of IN hour. her dry eyes trav.
cling from one wsll.remsmbseed OBJ
ject to another. Her emotion made
her physically weak, and The only
thing che could 10 was 70 ut and 6at'
tic for sslf.mastsry. These va no
need b explore further Into The
house; every nook and corner W.
printsd on her memory. A elock stsik'
ing three reused her. 0hs fose b. -
effort and crossed to one of The W.
dovs and hooked out ct the bloomiAg
towers below. How we'll che ~
called the day they had made the
flower bed together.
But my dear James. how absurd!
The place was going TO rack and ruin
for want Of . tenant We imagined
you'd be highly pleased"
Francesca caught ct the sill for sup
port. Every atom Of color Ned from
her face.
Il appreciate your interest. Of
course. Aunt Sophie. But for reasons
best known to myself. prefer to keep
the house vacant. Should have told
you, I suppose. But somehow. in the
rush of things. omitted to do SO. But
rs long as the people haven't moved
In therell be no trouble about It"
Francesca turned as the man ap'
preached the room alone. Her first
impulse had been to fly. to htde-to
seek refuge In any way she could. But
all avenue of escape was cut of. and
the only alternative was to stay where
she was, and hurriedly draw down the
thick veil she wore.
II beg your pardon" Lansdon 10
gan, apologetically. but 1t was all .
mistake about this house being for
rent. The fact 10, I've just come home
from Europe Unexpectedly and shall
want to occupy It for myself"
Francesca nodded.
I'm awfully sorry you've bsen put
to this trouble, but you see"
"rm sure you needn't apologize.
she interposed quickly. In . low tone
"l-perfectly understand"
Langdon smiled gratefully. THANK
you very much" hs said.
Francesca moved across the moor
toward the doorway. TO reach II shs
was compelled to pass close to Lang
don. He was watching her narrowly.
Suddenly he caught his breath. turned
pale, then red-then pale again. When
she would have passed through the
opening he barred her way.
Francesca" he cried. brsathlessly.
MAY I-pass!" she faltered. weakly.
NO: you may not" He deliberate.
" lifted the veil from her face and
looked long and deep into the misty
sold. brown eyes. Satisfied. he gave
. little soft laugh. and drew her Of
most roughly into HE arms.
"We'vs been . precious pair OF mum
stu,ls. haven't wei" he demanded.
T-l-think We have. dear"
"But we've learned wisdom through
experience. en-"
"l-hope %, Jim"
His lips touched her hair. his Arms
tishtsned. and it's not too late %
no down and look q that Chippso