The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-24

an excuse. and as the Stillworth's own
I'd good sized launch, the sisters
were invited TO enjoy an evenings
sail. These trips soon became regular
and good Mrs Way acted as chaperon
II the little party. Mary and Ralph
grew to be great friends.
l.ope spent q Very busy but happy
summer. her bread acquired an en-
viable reputation. and no more fail
ures were her portion. The days sped
swiftly and almost before it seemed
POSSIBLE. the end of August had come
On the last day OF the month the
party OF five went for one of their out
ings in the launch The moon was
nearing its full, and the evening was
calm and dull with a light fog show
ing over the water.
For some time they headed straight
out. none Of them realizing that the
fog was drifting in behind them in an
unusual manner. Ralph. who acted as
steersman, thinking the time had come
for change in their course, looked
.or the lighthouse which was his guide
for this change. and discovered that
no light was visible. and that they
were rapidly being enveloped on all
sides by the descending fog. At once
he turned the launch about.
We had better get back to shore
D fore the fog grows any heavier" ne
called to the others, and to Mary who
SIT beside him. he said softly 81
,hould have paid more attention to
my steering and less to our converse.
ion but"
In front OF them another launch
coined up The two steersmen dis
covered each other simultaneously
IA tried % swerve apart, but they
we're too close. With hard crash the
20 launches collidcd then slowly fell
away
liora'd was si'tiro on the left side
81 the launch between YRS. Way and
ope, he threw an arm around each
/ them, and though TO shock forced
i.tiu all from their seat, his action
opt them from a severe fa'l and they
INK back on the cushions unhurt
halrh had thrown ore arm around
Mary while holding firmly to the
steering gear with his other hand
The bow Of the launch was partly
Knocked away by the collision. but
there seemed to he no damage below
the water line The occupants OF the
ether launch called to ask the extent
N their Injuries
I'VE must head for the short with.
cut delay" sang ont Donald. and his
advice was followed
They reached the dock more than
an hour later The brothers hastily
moored their craft and hurried to 60.
cert their companions home. They
were all recovering from the shock
and when they left Mrs Way at her
door she said well Il might have
been worse. and won't say that win
never 20 out in a launch again as I
believed sho,ld but ii will certainly
b. when there Is no dan ger Of fog"
| Donald stopped Homo vt her gate.
There is something must say to
YOU" he began Hope, | have loved
You always and after tho accident to-
night simply must tell you so. When
saw you In danger knew that you
we're the dearest thing on earth to
me ! want you to love me-and new
or make bread again for anyone but
me" he ended with youthful selfish
ness
Hope laughed, That Is not a very
romantic ending" she said. then asked
I teasingly, Which do YOU suppose you
really love me bread. or me?"
Eur Donald had read her answer In
the eyes she raised to his. and he en-.
tirely ignored her question.
ON the porch Mary and Ralph had
paused waiting for the two loiterers:
and except for a rather quieter word
Ing and action, the scene enacted here
was m exact counterpart Of the one
at the cate
paper Svndicate1