The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-11
PLAYING The GAME
BY EUGENE BONNIE.

limited. special ulIeCLlOuo Aou 1871
telegraphed to the porter to suitably
decorate two chairs in the parlor car
and upon the arrival of the train at
Plainville to give the newly married
couple marked attention.
"All aboard" rang out the vibrant
voice Of the conductor, hardly waiting
for the train to come to a stop.
With mad rush for the platforms
of the cars the passengers jostled and
stumbled in needless disregard, and IN
the midst of a shower of rice and a
volley of verbal well-wishes the last
passengers took their share OF the ILL
directed missiles good naturally, and
disappeared inside of the coaches.
Inadvertently the bride and groom
followed close in the wake of young
man and woman who were entering
the parlor car. The grinning face OF
the porter as the door opened met
with a speedy retreat, and the bride
wheeled about and entered the second
coach, leaving the perplexed husband
with no choice but to follow.
! The face of the porter broadened
with radiant smile as he ostenta-
tiously ushered the entering couple
into the decorated chairs bearing un-
mistakable evidence Of premeditated
design.
The young woman's preoccupation
in struggling with rebellious veil
prevented her from noting the decora-
, tons, while the man, eager for nov
city, was ready to play the game.
AN unusually mirthful lot of pas
sengers tonight" commented the
woman, surveying the aggregation In
dividually and collectively
Her eyes caught the ends of rib
bon dangling from poorly made bow
pinned to the back of her companions
chair.
Mr.. Reed" alarmedly, her face
flushed scarlet, what can we do?
They are--that is-they think we are
the bride and groom
But we are not, are WEI" replied
the man, indifferently.
But Mr."
Call me Don" he interrupted, as
he leaned forward touched by her ap-
peal, I'VE can do but one thing"
"What?"
PLAY the game. Look like blushing
bride, act well your part, will mine"
His enthusiasm increased.
But, Mr."
Married people call each other by
their given names, | believe" he in
terrupted dryly.
"On two hours acquaintance"
Il have known you several years."
he ventured, looking into her eyes.
Don" she spoke the name natur-
ally, tell me something about your.
self"
Some other time when we are not
playing" he answered.
But" she objected, there may be
no other time"
There will be-" with confidence;
now that have found you, am not
going to surrender you so easily"
Il am living in Evanston she vol
unteered
$50 am ]" he answered.
Evanston" vas the muffled sound
heard from the other end of the coach,
and several passengers moved toward
the door, passing the bride and groom
apparent with a curious smile.
Then tomorrow" she smiled, as she
offered her hand which he held for a
moment.
The young man waited at respect
full distance in a safe retreat to see
his companions friends carry her
away.
No one claimed her, and as the last
passenger, after gazing into her face,
passed on, Donald hurried to her side
with deep sense Of satisfaction.
Your friends didn't come, Minerva"
he said.
so see," she replied, almost
coldly. you forget the game is over.
l am no longer Minerva"
May | call cab?" he questioned,
disregarding her rebuke.
That will not be necessary; my
home Is only two squares away. Il
prefer to walk. You may carry my
suitcase If you will"
They had reached the house. and
were standing near rosebush where
vines were wound around the columns
OF the veranda. The night was per.
feet.
Minerva, will you listen to mer
caressingly.
Il seem to have no choice" she re-
piled almost timidly.
Minerva" and he took both her
hands In his. Il love you. | have
loved you ever since you and my sis
ter were at Radclitf. wanted to meet
you then, but my sister would not let
me-"
DO you know why your sister would
not let US meet four years ago?" she
questioned. We'll, l will tell Won.
saw you often on the campus at Har.
ward. saw you at Radcliff when Won
visited your sister-I-was In love
with you Decentralization, your sis.
Ter called it-She would nof Iat -
meet She said you would never care
LOT me. She was older and wiser. so
reluctantly ohevadn