The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-25
flower OF ROMANCE
By MARY |. BRAY.

| apartment building. they saw young
people passing by. on their way to
play golf or tennis in the park. In
the evening they watched many
carriage drew up 10 neighboring doors
and 60 Gathering away with . fair
and frivolous burden
The aunt and uncle who had rear
ed them from infancy had come IN
middle life to the great western city.
where they neither had nor made ef-
fort to form friendly ties. The girls
had been torn from school friendships
at an age when these could not be
supplanted. The one or two neigh
bors in the building who had been
kind enough to call were not inter
csting socially.
They knew better than to make
themselves unhappy by envy or COM
/ planning to unsvmpathetc ears. but
| as the uncventful days dra eyed by.
over and over they sighed to each
other: II do wish we knew some
body"
The tenant across the hall let two
furnished rooms, whose large win.
dows opened upon the air-court. Della
and Bella had for their personal use
the two opposite communicating
rooms in their apartment, opening
upon the same court, acknowledged
aperture, not more than ten feet
across its widest dimensions. Z
One evening as Della leaned out for
a farewell glimpse of the stars. pre-
paratOry to drawing the curtains for
the night, she almost touched head
projecting from the opposite window.
and started back violently. II was .
man.
Il beg your pardon" deep voice
exclaimed. as the head was instantly
withdrawn.
Bella, who had half heard the
words In hurried curiosity looked out
of her window. and at the same mo.
ment fourth person appeared oppo'
site her, again man. 1t was her
turn to disappeaf in confusion, as q
second masculine voice craved par
dCn.
It was clear that there were new
occupants across the way, equally
clear that they were college boys The
twins exchanged these observations
with excited embarrassment. Mean
| while. the two Young mon were spec
ulating animatedly upon the pleasing
possibilities of their discovery.
Matters progressed rapidly, and
naturally. and in the due course of
time there was to be a dance given
by one of the college societies, a
dance at which each member was eX
pected to bring his particular bosl
girl. Delaney O'Gorman and Ned
Clark, the aforesaid college boys
were both resolved to escort the
twins, or not to 60 at all. Ever
art of persuasion they brought into
play. and after days Of timid refusal.
Bella and Della finally gave reck
less consent.
Bellas room had a door opening
into the outer hall. The girls plan
ned to retire ostensibly as early a.
usual on the fateful night, dress for
the dance, and at $3.50. when Their
aunt and uncle would be sleeping,
steal from the apartment. Morninr
would find them peaceful and unsus
pectcd in their beds. At the appoint
ed hour the twins, their hearts beaf
ing like pair of trip-hammers, mad
successful escape.
Perhaps in the triumphant nome
the carriage door was slammed VI
unusual violence. At any rate, Au
Louisa stirred in her sleep. With m
chanical vigilance she called: Del
Bella" There was no answer Wh.'
possessed her to remain awake
never knew. After an interval of T.
lessness she arose for drink OF uo
ter, stopped on the way to glance ia.o
Dclla's room, saw the bed emp't
lapsed upon the second unoccupie
bed
A hundred terrifying thoughts soiz
ed her. A hundred self-accusatieHa
and reproofs for undue sternness she
poured out upon her astonished hps
band. After the first outburst of an
ger and indignation against her
nieces, she could only repeat over
and over: They have eloped! We
drove them to it! Why didn't we re-
, alize?"
}, Hours later, when the aunt and
uncle were trying to formulate
course Of action, they we're startled
by soft rustling sounds In the hall
Aunt Louisa clutched her husband
arm. Then she sped to the door and
flung 1t open before two frightened
girls.
"Where've you been?" she cried
Where are those two young men
Oh. Bella! Della"
The girls flung themselves be
seechingly upon their aunt. and kiss
ed away the tears.
Don't be angry with US, Aunt
Louisa! We wanted to have some
fun! We've been to a dance. We
were afraid to ask you, Aunt Louisa
FOr9ive us-Wo'vo had surh a hearti