The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-12

cause Of his predicament.
Dacey sat down on the sand beside
his friend and lighted a cigarette.
Thought you were dancing" re-
marked Carroll.
"Was-but to tell the truth, Rod.
I'm in a mess!" declared Dacey.
Sorry for you if you've more trou.
BILE than have!"
Listen to this, Rod" conf1ded the
captain, turning troubled face to the
other. Pm engaged to one of the
Atwood twins-and don't know
which one it is! Can you beat that?"
I'm engaged to one myself-and
don't know which 1t is, either!'
Good heavens, Rod, you're Joking"
cried the captain.
Roderick Carroll turned harassed
face to Dacey's. do I look like q
man making a silly joker" he de-
manded. 1T isn't likely we're both
engaged to the same one!"
Sometimes they can't tell them.
selves apart" muttered the captain
grimly. They're playing joke on us.
Rod, and just at this time I'm not in
clined to stand for it."
After outlining a scheme, Dacey re-
turned to the ballroom.
II have sad news to impart, Kitty"
he said, addressing them collectively.
evil you come to the conservatory
for a moment"
The news must be broken roughly,
he decided, 80 when the three were
standing there beside the fountain he
looked at their anxious, lovely faces
with some qualms of conscience at the
lie on his lips.
"You will be shocked to learn that
Carrolrs body has been found on the
beach," he said bluntly.
There was simultaneous cry from
the twins.
"Oh, Kill" cried one.
Darling XIII" cried the other.
Which twin said certain words Cap.
tain Dacey never knew. Immediately
one girl vanished through the outer
door and the other swooned quietly
away in his arms.
Il am a brute!" accused the cap
tain fiercely as he dipped his hand
kerchief in the fountain and bathed
the temples Of the girl in his arms.
So Captain Dacey touched the tiny
mole under the long lashes-and II
vanished forever!
This was his own girl. Carroll'i
girl had naturally gone out to the
beach, where he was.
At that moment Carroll was having
an adventure Of his own.
A light figure had come flying down
the boardwalk toward him, leaning
against the rocks, had cried affrighted
ly when she saw who 1t was.
TITS only Joke, Kitten" he pro
tested.
IT'S \ very silly joke" she retorted
drawing back from his arms. Kitten
tainted away when she heard the news
and I came to see II 1t really was
true! I suspect that Captain Dacey IL
comforting Kitten this very moment
believing 1t 10 l."
That's too bad" said Rod, quietly
"Dacey Is merely wasting precious
time over Kitten: his leave is nearly
over and he will go back to his post
OF course, II the girls he's engaged to
doesn't bind his chains closer while
she has an opportunity. he might
we'll. some of those army post girls
are mighty pretty. And Just at this
moment, Kitten 10 some fascinating
herself"
1.-THE very ideal" cried Miss Atwood,
incredulously. But Carroll smiled
when she turned and fed back to the
hotel.
They must effect the cure them.
selves" he muttered. as he followed
her at safe distance.
That night when the Atwood twins
faced each other in the room they
shared together there was rather a
scared look In Kittens lovely eyes.
; Kitty's eyes wore a hurt expression.
Kitten Atwood" said her twin sis
ter coldly, you permitted Captain
Dacey to kiss you'll saw you'll"
! Il hated It," shuddered Kitten
! haughtily. But when I tainted, he
/ dabbed water on my face and my
mole vanished-he wouldn't believe
that 1t was not you'll"
Il shall take care that there is no
mistake In the future" said Kitty,
, gravely. THE silly reason is over
and we are not really shallow at heart.
dear; 80 we must not play with love
any more-something has told me to-
night that it is a very precious thing"
Then" said Kitten, humbly, you
better wash that horrid mole from un.
der your eye, dearie, and We will 60
and make peace with them tomorrow
But when peace had been made and
Carroll and Dacey surveyed the fiaw'
less faces Of their respective flancees
there was one bewildering moment OF
doubt. Then the eyes Of the girls
spoke, each to her lover, and aftel
that they could never be mistaken