The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-07
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ROMANCE AND REELS
BY BELLE X. MANDATES.
sssessoseesssssessesss

a wish denied or a burden to bear,
was now confronted with the serious
problem of earning her living. Her
father had died suddenly, and when
the estate was settled there remained
for Joyce the sum of $500.
Il suppose" said sweet girl friend,
who had always been envious of Joyce,
that now you are poor Herndon Thay-
er will propose"
Joyce WINGED Herndon Thayer's
alteration Of her had been an open Sc
cret, but he had never told her of his
love. He was struggling young law
yer, and he had frequently voiced his
contempt for poor men who married
rich
He had gone West a few months
before, but Joyce had not heard from
him since his departure.
Il am not going to marry she re-
piled seriously. Il am going to earn
my living"
hClC WClC ouSStollOlo
from friends along this line, but Joyce
had latent undeveloped amount of
the practical.
I'll go to Marie she finally de-
cided, for lodging and advice
Marie was a former maid who had
married chauffeur.
Marie welcomed her former mis-
tress with French effusion, and was
delighted to shelter her in the extra
room
I'VE are going to picture show, Al
fred and T. said Marie that evening
Wouldn't you like to Gomez"
Joyce went with them and received
an inspiration.
THAT girl at the piano plays about
the same style of music that | do.
Maybe | could get similar position"
Marie CHANGED to have an acquaint-
ance with the young woman and they
remained until the close of the little
theater Joyce had most satisfac-
tory interview with her The pianist
was very anxious to clay off for a
week and had been looking for the
right substitute. Joyce was engaged
In her place and acquired the trick Of
the reels so easily that she secured a
permanent position in little theater.
1t was very unpretentious theater.
Besides the pictures and Joyce's piano
playing there was only soloist One
afternoon Joyce took up, as usual, the
accompaniment to the song that was
to be rendered. pang Of homesick.
ness seized her, for the song was ia
vorite, the one Herndon had always
asked her to play for him. AS she
played the prelude memories Of other
days came SO wildly that her eyes
filled with tears and she did not look
up at the singer. When the first
strains rolled out from deep bari.
tone, Joyce's fingers stopped suddenly.
she looked up and her wildly wide
eyes met Herndon's ardent gaze With
mighty effort she pulled herself to-
gether and played the accompaniment
mechanically. At the close of the
song there was an interval OF few
moments before the next performance.
Herndon came down into the little
pit where the piano was.
What are you doing here?" she
exclaimed. How do you come to be
singing In cheap picture show"
Il might with more reason ask how
you come to be playing in such a
place, but when | came to New York
yesterday | learned for the first time
of your misfortune. No one could tell
me where to find you. | remembered
Marie, and how interested you were in
her marriage, and somehow | thought
she would know. | remembered that
she had married Mortons chauffeur.
and Morton knew his name. So this
morning | looked in directory. You
were out. and | babe Marie not tell
you had been to see you"
But" she reminded him, you have
not answered my question. Have you
given up law, and why did you take
up singing as profession?"
Il haven't. When | left Maries |
came here and fixed it up with the So
loist and the manager to let me take
his plnca fpr tho Of
"Why?" asked Joyce
That's why" he replied, pointing to
the picture that was being displayed
to portray the efforts of young COW.
boy to discover whether his love was
reciprocated.
Once he continued. Il almost
dared hope that you cared. So |
thought / would take you unawares
and see II you did. l have loved you
so long, Joyce. Do you care-a little?"
You have just time," said Joyce,
placidly, her heart beating rapidly.
ITO get up on the stage In time for
your solo"
He sang to her, but she wouldn't
look up at him. At the close of the
last performance he was waiting for
her.
Marie told me to come home with
you to dinner. and won't you answer
my question, Joyce?"
You said you had loved me so long.
I Whu didrit ALL