The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-05-16


nishings. noticing that Tom was alone.
|. ''Emily?" he repeated, wondering
whom she could mean. mo, she is
| not here"
But she told me-"
"She told you she would be here?"
YES" explained the vision perplex-
! eddy. she told me she would certain
ly be here to meet me-"
We'll, she hasn't come as yet"
Are you Mr.. Walker"
mo. my name is Harrison-Tom
Harrison. I'm the architect who
planned this building"
You're a friend of Mr.. Walker and
Emily. of course?"
81 don't like to admit it, but I've
never heard of them" he confessed
whimsically, wishing sincerely that he
| had.
But" she persisted. beginning to
feel i'll at ease, surely this is to be
their suite?"
II think not I've reserved this
/ suite for myself"
It's Suite "A. isn't it?"
Its Suite 2B"
He was relieved to see the girls
features relax into an appreciative
smile
1T is plain to you. of course" she
apologized that I have blundered in
to the wrong apartments My chum
Emily Fhilbrick and Mr. Walker are
to be married tomorrow. and Emily
wanted me to come and see the suite
in which they are TO live"
IF it is Suite 2B. will take pleasure
in showing it to you," he offered.
Emily Philbrick met them at the
door In the course of the explana-
! tons that followed, Tom Harrison
learned that his visitor was none 9TH
er than Elsie Gibson. the girl artist
who had been winning fame in the
magazines
During the year that followed. he
was frequent visitor at her studio.
each acknowledging the charm of the
others acquaintance. Then suddenly
Elsie Gibson disappeared. leaving no
word as to whittier she had gone.
Tom Harrison's quest after Elsie
Gibson was most energetically follow
ed, yet no trace of her could he dis
cover. 1t finally occurred to him that
{ he had once heard her mention the
fact that her father. a widower had
little farm at Upperjay in the
Adirondacks A study of complicated
railway timetables resulted in his TAX
ing the wrong train, righting his err
ror and after much delay and nu-
merous changes, in his reaching Up
perjay.
He failed to find a livery stable, but
did enter into negotiations with a
passing farmer who. with apparent re-
luctance. at last consented to take
him to the Gibson farm.
At the gate with a freshly gathered
garland of roses and sweet-scented
thyme stood familiar little figure.
looking very forlorn until she recog-
nized Tom Harrison.
ooh Tom" she cried gladly, you
don't know how lonesome l have
been" Her manner changed quickly.
as if she were holding herself in re-
straint. But now l suppose I ought
to address you as Mr.. Harrison"
why, Elsie! DlunJIy.
She looked surprised
Because of your approaching mar
riage of course"
My approaching marriage?" he ask
ed, mystifed
Certainly"
But l didn't know I was going TO
be married"
THAT is very strange indeed, since
it was printed in the paper"
Elsie this is all nonsense. Where
did you see that clipping?"
Il found it lying on your writing
desk
Il thought so. grille Well, now al
low me to explain. More than 10
years ago l had a boy-and-girl affair.
We called it love, and were going to
get married. She took the notice to
the society editor of the Clarion. Aft
erwards the engagement, such as il
was. was broken off by mutual con-
sent. / naturally enough saved the
clipping. and | presume it fell from
among my papers"
AS naturally as one takes a beauti-
luI HOWeT, AOm ridTTlsOu IOOh GISiS
Gibson in his arms.
'Elsie?" he whispered.
Yes. Tom"
That date in that wedding an
nouncement was Sept. Is, wasn't it?"
Yes" very family.
you have inspected the suite l
fitted up for a bride had never seen.
1t satisfied you?"
Eyes. Tom" still more family. He
had to bend close to catch the words.
Then let's consider that wedding
announcement our own"
There are times when silence gives
consent