The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-21

now that she was nv
akin to It. 1t was
not only ancient and forgotten like
herself. but they both knew the same
secret. Rather 1t knew hers.
The music floated down to her
from the dancing pavilion that had
been built for the occasion on the
site Of the old school. near the new
mems college at the top Of the hill.
But instead Of making her heart beat
faster or causing restless tapping
Of her decorous high-buttoned shoe.
the continuous melody annoyed her.
She lay back listlessly and wished
the foolish young ladies from the
seminary. whom she was chaperon-
ing, would call her to 60 home. It
must be midnight! But she knew they
would stay as long as there was music
to dance to.
Dear knows, she would never volun-
tarily have come back here Of all
places? The seminary was near
enough to permit her to visit it when
ever she liked. But until tonight she
had avoided It. Why the faculty had
picked her out she couldn't imagine.
She knew perfectly we'll that her SELF
possession, unresp0naveness. and
carefully scheduled life had won for
her the title of Fossil" among tho
girls. She was a good teacher, but
no one loved her. although she had
heard one staunch little champion de-
clare one day that she believed some
person had put a piece Of glass In
the teachers heart like the wicked
queen did to Snow White. and II
there was any way Of getting the
glass out she believed Miss Ellis
would wake up and be trump. Real.
ly, you know. she isn't so old, girls!
It's just her way"
Yes! There was piece Of glass!
1t had been there since the day she
had read the notice of Carl Wilson's
marriage to a western girl. That day
she had locked her ring in a box with
his letters
Below her an oar in lock made a
peculiar grating sound. Suddenly she
sprang to her feet with a cry as
though from physical pain. The little
sound had bridged the 10 years since
tho 10 ct tjvv,o Ohio covy him
A storm Of sobs shook her For the
first time she was crying for her old
lost love-the love that had robbed
her Of her youth and happiness-the
love that she had schooled herself
into believing she had never wanted.
Then she thought Of her appear
ance. It would never do for the Eos
sill" to appear with swollen nose
and red telltale eyes. She would hunt
some cold water to dash over her dis
torted features!
The river, Of Counsel She knew
OF old that the beach here was COW
cred with smooth little pebbles and
the water was clear and clean She
knew, too, Of the crooked path that
led to It, But 1t was hard to find even
In the bright moonlight. The weeds
and bushes hid the break until she
was upon it. With cry she pitched
over the edge, and lay inert and
senseless on the shore below.
man alone In a boat floating laz-
lily on the breast Of the stream, heard
a scream and saw a fash Of some
thing white. The object lay still
where 1t fell There was no further
sound nor sign Of life, but he knew
1t must be a woman, and she had had
a dreadful accident. He pitched his
cigar into the water and picked up
the oars. With strong, swift strokes
he reached the bank, and hurried to
her. AS he knelt beside her and
drew her head onto the pillow he had
made Of his coat, he recognized her
IT'S Caroline Poor little girl! To
find her this way after all these
years"
Miss Ellis was slowly regaining her
shattered senses. She did not remem-
Der the fall, nor how she got there,
nor even the dance. But she was
realizing acutely that she was hurting
all over, and that some man was try
Ing to help her.
She opened her eyes and sat up,
then staggered to her feet when she
recognized him.
Carl" she gasped.
His answer was irrelevant Thank
heaven. you're better. l was just 60
ing for help. 1t seemed that fate
was going to play me scurvy trick
and let you die the minute | had
found you. May explain it all?"
"Yes!"
He drew q tiny bit Of worn yellow
paper from his pocketbook. This IL
the announcement Of your marriage
to Harry Cromwell. cut out Of q
Brownville paper"
She took It, puzzled. But it was
Jane, my sister, who married Harry"
Then she flushed. She had believed
what she read of him and had made
no inquiry.
Il was away out west. believed
It when | read 1t, for l thought Harry
loved you. | did not know until yes