The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-11


voice murmured tenderly:
what made you SO late, dear?
Roger sat like man dazed.
stunned by the touch of lips and
cheek. After a throbbing silence he
half whispered
II beg your pardon!"
There was a Mortified exclamation,
swift withdrawal Of arms, and the
sound of vanishing skirts.
In a distant part of the house he
heard echoes of mjrthful laughter.
Presently Darnley came out Of the
house.
After prowling all over the
grounds, I found the girls in the din.
ing-room preparing chatting dish
luncheon for US Come in and meet
them"
In the dining-room Roger was pre-
sented to the three girls. In vain he
looked into the roguish faces seeking
some tell-tale token. But not a sign
OF confusion or enlightenment did he
receive
Il must tell you a good joke Thorn.
ton," laughed Darnley. "The girls
supposed it was your father l was
to bring home with mel"
Indeed! And was also supposed
to be my father when l sat out on the
porch just now?" he asked, mean.
ingly.
There was a trio Of laughing voices
and knowing glances.
mo. You were thought to be mo-"
explained Darnley. See II you can
! guess which one made the embar.
RAISING error"
There is but one way in which I
can decide that matter" replied Rog.
or, gravely.
'How?" demanded the trio.
i must close my eyes, and each
one OF you can In turn come up b.
hind he and repeat the error! Then,
l might decide"
Ihis was positively and laughing.
~ declined. After n merry evening,
Roger retired, unable to decide which
or these beautiful young women he
thought the most charming. The next
day and evening found him still un.
decided, and also In the dark as to
VINO mad bestowed upon him the feet,
ing embrace.
On the third evening Of his visit
Marie Loveridge, niece Of Mr..
Darnley's, arrived to pay a visit She
was type altogether different from
her light-hearted laughter.loviug
cousins.
ny one or two skillful moves.
Roger drew her apart from the eay
crowd and sought a secluded retreat
IN the rose garden.
10 you know" he said suddenly.
mad very strange experience tho
hrst night of my arriva. here"
That was before came" remind.
ed Marie.
Mr Darnlay left me on the porch
~niie ne went in search of b,s fam.
ny and while I waited there alone IN
'ne darkness, ! felt two soft arms
ABOUT my neck, cheek laid against
nine and a light kiss, and the most
. ueautliui voice I ever heard cav:
what made you so late, dearr When
! spoke. she fed. Marie from ~.
uast moment saw you, / knew n
must nave been you who came to ma
mere IN the darkness and taught me
what love might be!- ~
But, she said. her voice tram.
unns' you know | did not come nm.
III two days later" W.
1 know But still 1t wa. vou-,n .
ur.am, perhaps. but, Marie, will von
not make the dream corae true, ca
you not love me? a
With a little, g'a3 la,,n s..
his arms. "S'a nef In
IF. Roger" she ss.d. ere. D,,, -
came day before ycur srHrsi ana
s.o.s out that night, ts,akinr ~
,os ee IN, uncle will and reproach him
,n;,. 'ls SO late. When | found INV
and bes,a, ran an IN and told the girls.
Thav legged a them to keep my secret
bp, svs were lovely not to betray me.
: To ~, eVery time I was alone with Won '
$50 was OF what had done.
% was l. Marie" he replied.
-vseRgr1ght By Daily Story Pub "a,