The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-01

added years which had given him
height and strength and beauty.
Philip Boone" she cried. when did
you Gomez"
An hour ago." he said. Il went
first to the house, wanted to see VI
but your mother sent me here"
ITO see Vi" The words rang in
Lily's head Philip had always loved
Vi. since the little girl days when he
asked her to marry him-and he was
worth ten Bob Taylors. But Philip
had been away for years. and Bob had
had the field to himself Before she
could stop herself Lily told him of her
Indignation because vi must dance in
an old gown.
Philip laughed. is she as sweet as
ever" he demanded.
"Sweeter,' said the enthusiastic
Lily.
I've come back to marry her II
can said the young man. Il felt |
hadn't right to ask her until was
able to support wife"
Lily confided the news to Pansy
that night. Il believe VI always liked
him best, but she couldn't understand
why he didn't write
The following week there came for
VI a package by express.
Ii was wonderful gown, all white
and silver. with an underslip Of palest
green There was a wreath Of white
violets for the red-gold hair and q
trailing bunch of the same flowers for
her corsage There was no card. nc
name. but at last they found slip OF
paper on which was written in fem
mime script
Ask no questions. ear, but wear.
This pretty gown To make you fair"
Il believe Philip Boone sent 1t.
Lily confided late that night to Pansy
but was afraid to say SO to mother
for Of course vi couldn't accept 1t un
der such circumstances"
We'll. mother thinks it came from
Aunt Felicia, and she's going to write
and find out: but anyhow Violet car
wear It to the charity ball, and Iri'
won't Outshine her this time"
Violet was the belle Of the Chart!
ball. Even lris's delicate beauty coult
not compete with the youth and rap
ture which gave her sister such won
derful charm.
Isn't she n beauty?" Philip Boone
said to Lily. csctatically. where il
the world did she get that gown, Lii
i suits her down to the ground"
so he didn't send it" said Lily
when she could get l'ansy in cor
her. but who did,"
That night vi crept into Iilye
room. "Oh. Lily. Lily" she said, I'm
SO glad that Iris switched hob Taylo
off"
why, dearcst?"
"lIecause-l like Philip best al
ways did. hut when he went away 4
college and then went into business
and didn't write, | decided that b
didn't care any more. And so trie
! to get interested in other people. An
Bob was 30 knd--and | wanted to
loved to be happy SO though
could be content with second best
, but | couldn't-and now Philip want
to marry me-and told him would
Lily"
. A letter from Aunt Felicia cam
the next morning. "Of course didn
, send the Dress" II said, Il haven
, money for such frivOlities."
Then. who sent IT," tho littl
> mother asked. Suddenly her fac
I hardened DO you suppose that som
man was impertinent enough to do II
I If SO, you cant wear It again, v
, Never--it is prepostcrOus."
"Oh, mother" Wis eyes were fu
: Of tears. There's the MERGERS dane
tomorrow, and haven't anythin
= else"
But just the same, you mustn't b
seen in it."
| Then Iris, who had been lookin
. out of the window, came fOrwart
Z Let her wear II. mother she sal
gently. Il bought IT," AT her ast0l
? ishing declaration the girls gaspet
, but she went on steadily. 1T WASH
until | saw VI In that frumpy gree
, gown the other night that I realize
how selfish | had been. Sol sol
the ring Aunt Felicia gave me las
, year, and bought the gown. didn
want to be unfair lift Bob like
VI best wanted him to have he
: But, now that she's engaged to Phil
1T won't hurt her II marry B0l
J vi"
The younger sister flew to he
You darling" she said, and her hea
went down on Iris shoulder.