The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-29
ReSurreCted
Romance
BY lillian E. Sweetser
Copyright. 1872, by Associated Literary
PreSsl

4
the house.
Aunt Hetty. sitting at her sum
window. started at the noise, and
glancing out saw Jack Maynard rul
down the steps and hurry away ange
and decision in every movement
y few moments later a step on tn,
stairs announced the arrival of he
niece. Mabel, sweet, loyable girl. bu
somewhat spoiled by the constant at
tenlion of the whole household t
every whim Of its youngest member.
AS the door opened, a flushed, tear
stained face appeared, and Mabel wa
soon EMBODIED in Aunt Hetty's com
forting arms, while the soft, whit
hands caressingly smoothed the tum
bled hair.
AS far back as Mabel could remem
Der, Aunt Hetty had always been he
refuge-her haven In all of childhood
storms. and, even now. a young won
an. with sparkling engagement ring
the sweet. old lady was still her con
f1dant.
Day after day she might be found
In the same rocker, in the same win
dow, occupied with dainty bit OF sew
ing. which. when finished, Invariably
found its way into Mabel's wardrobe;
and nobody knew OF the dreams and
memories woven into the sheer gar
ments. Happy days passed In review
as some glrlsh confidence would re-
call a similar occurrence in her own
history; and, though years had passed
a tear would fall for the lad who had
died TO save others.
After the burst of grief had sub
sided, Mabel raised her head. and
gravely announced:
Jack and | are through, Auntie,
At the question In the gentle look she
added: well, 1t Is Just this way. dear;
II he cannot trust me now. he never
VIII, and will not stand being order
ed like child" A sob Interrupted,
then she went on.
You know those beautiful roses
papa brought home for me yesterday
are In the library. When Jack noticed
them, to tease him, asked him If he
did not think they We're nice pres
ent. lie asked whom they were from,
of course. and said, "a gentleman.
Then. instead OF joking. as was do
ing. he got angry. and ordered me to
tell him who sent them. At that, nat
urally, would not. when he was SO
cross, and he said such mean things
was willing to believe that had been
playing with him all the time. When
was wearing his ring. too. auntie!
tried to give 1t back, but he threw 1t
on the floor and rushed out. without
giving me chance to explain. Now
he can stay. Il he doesn't care any
more than that!!" A fresh burst Of
tears and the curly head went deep
Into the comforting lap.
Aunt Iietty thoughtfully contem-
plated the sorrowful figure.
do you think that you were Just
right yourself, dear? Remember that
the forbearance and forgiveness OF
true love cannot always be on one
side. True hearts should be above
causing another pain. for a simple
Joke"
Il know 1t wasn't right" was the
faint response. but | meant to tell
him In moment, and never thought
Of him doing that way He ought to
have had more faith In me than that.
Mabel wiped her eyes deflantly.
Aunt Hetty sighed. and mist came
before her. as she replied gently:
Little girl, people can live years In
minute-countries and lives be de
stroyed. but an angry word lives for
ever. Would you like to hear a story
"a true one, about girl. Just as low
ing. impulsive. and thoughtless q.
YOU"
Mabel assented eagerly. her owl
woes forgotten for the time. at tn,
prospect Of one Of her aunt's stories.
Years ago" began the sweet voice
"a girl lived In a beautiful southern
town. She had everything to make he
happy-father. mother. brother, and
home. of which she loved every moo
and corner. She was very popular 4
the younger set. and many we're tn
fiattering proposals Of marriage tina
she received. But. in her open. hearte
manner. she liked them all he same
and after repeated refusals (contrar
to the usual rule) they were oil lik
big brothers to her-ever watchful 70
her pleasure and comfort. without RI,
airy and Jealousy.
Matters went on this way for sc,
eral seasons. Gossips wondered
talked. and finally doomed her to
solitary spinsterhood. as one after al
other Joined the ranks Of the hi
brothers.
But one day came a change. Tn
girls brother brought home friend
former college roommate His HON
was far away. and on trip for til
business interests of his father he ha
combined duty with the pleasure OF
visit ~ his friend.
We read vi love at first sight. an
think that is what II must have bee
for. from the first. the girl was di
ferent person The interest was m
iual. and they rode. danced. and sar
L.. l.