The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-30
BY Craze
Llp1fgSf0r
Hill Lnfz

Ap mousse last evening as / went IN.
They were looking up at the windows
and talking about keeping close
watch on some one named Mary. One
Of the men was tall and slight and
handsome, with dark hair and eyes;
the other was Irish, and wore a coat
too large for him, and rubbers. l went
back later in In the evening, and the
Irishman was lowering about the
house."
The girl looked up with frightened
eyes and grasped the arms OF her
chair excitedly.
will you go with me now to a
church not far away, where a friend Of
mine Is the pastor, and be married!
Then we can defy all the cousins In
creation. Can't you trust me-" he
pleaded.
"Oh, yes, but
rs it that you do not love me?"
NO." she said, and her eyes
dropped shyly. 1T seems strange that
| dare to say it to you when have
known you so little" She lifted her
eyes, full Of wonderful love light,
/ and she was glorified to him, all mean.
ly dressed though she was. The smooth
Madonna braids around the shapely
head, covered by the soft felt hat,
seemed more beautiful to him than all
| the elaborate head-dresses Of modern
time.
Where is the but then. dear?
Shall we 60 now"
How can | go In this dress!" She
looked down at her shabby shoes,
rough black gown, and cheap gloves
in dismay, and soft pink stole into
her face.
"You need not. Your own gown Is
out in the Office in my suitcase.
brought it with me, thinking you might
need it-hoping you might ! mean
and he smiled. Il have kept it always
near me; partly because wanted the
comfort of it, partly because was
afraid some one else might find it, and
desecrate our secret with their com
mon-place wondering
1t was at this moment that the ma
iron of the building stepped up to the
absorbed couple, resolved TO do heI
duty. Her lips were pursed to their
thinnest, and displeasure was In hel
face.
The young man arose and asked in O
grave tone:
Excuse me, but can you tell me
whether this lady can get room here
to rest for a short time. while &C
out and attend to matter OF bust
ness?"
The matron noticed his refined face
and true eyes, and she accepted with
good grace the ten-dollar bill he hand
ed to her
I'VE charge only fifty cents nigh
for q room,' she said, glancing at the
humble garments of the mans com
panion. She thought the girl must bt
a poor dependent or a country relative
That's all right" said the younf
man. Just let the change help thu
good work along"
That made distinct change In the
atmosphere. The matron smiled, ant
retired to snub the girl with the dis
contented upper lip. Then she SEN
the elevator boy to carry the girls
suitcase. AS the matron came bacl
to the Office, baggy man with cush
Toned tires hustled out Of the oper
door into the street, having first cas-
back a keen, furtive glance tina
searched every corner of the place.
Now said Durham reassuringly
as the matron disappeared, you car
go up to your room and get ready, ant
| will look after a few little matters
called on my friend. the minister
this morning, and I have looked up the
legal part of this affair. can see thai
everything is all right in few min
utes. Is there anything you would like
me to do for you?"
NO" she answered, looking up hall
frightened; but l am afraid l ought
not to let you do this. You scarcely
know me-"
Nov, dear, no more of that. We
have no time to lose. How long will ii
take you to get dressed? Will hall
an hour do? 1t Is getting late"
"Oh, it will not take long" She
caught her breath with gladness. Her
companions voice was SO strong and
comforting, his face SO filled with a
wonderful love, that she felt dazed
with the sudden joy of it all.
The elevator boy appeared in the
doorway with the familiar suitcase.
Don't be afraid, dear heart" whis-
pered the young man, as he attended
her to the elevator. "I'll soon be back
again, and then, then, we shall be to-
gether!"
1t was a large front room to which
the boy took her. The ten-dollar bill
had proven effective. It was not q
"fifty-cents-a-night" room. Some one
some guest or kindly patron-had
put small Illuminated text upon tho
wall in q neat frame. 1t met her eye
as she entered-"Rejoice and be glad"
Just q common little picture card. It
hot ho0 hAAAY1A