The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-03

tiently. They surely must have gone
on" Still Tom did not return.
At this moment a small boy entered
the room, and after cycling her shyly
for few minutes. plucked up courage
and asked Are you Miss Edith
Tyler"
Il am"
Here's a note fer yuh."
It was from Tom She tore 1t open
and read: Dear Edith am sorry
to play what will seem like a shabby
trick, especially when you and your
people have entertained me so royalty,
and made things so pleasant for me
this last week at your house party.
However, by the time you read this,
Ruth Gleason beg pardon, Mrs.
Tom Sanford-and l will be on our
train to New York. We we're married
ten minutes ago at the home OF Q
friend. The whole thing was cut and
dried before we left home. We are
both sorry to be married in this way,
but her people and mine have raised
big kick-some old family grudge
that doesn't concern US. This seemed
the best way to do. A thousand par
dons, and a thousand thanks. Ever
your friend, Tom Sanford"
For a moment Edith sat perfectly
stunned with surprise.
We'll, Of all things" she calculated.
Ruth Gleason and Tom Sanford! l
didn't know they even knew each
other" She searched her memory to
recall some incident that might have
warned her, but could think Of moth
, ing.
The gathering twilight turned her
thoughts to her own plight.
How am to get homer" she Won
dered
At that moment some one entered
the doorway. It was Donald Warren.
He seemed excited.
Hello. I've been rushing my head
off to get here
I've been here nearly two hours"
Her tone was tart for she was very
tired. In her overweight state she
felt no surprise at seeing him,
Did you get Sanfords note?"
She nodded.
II guess they worked a surprise on
| everybody"
Somehow, his POPULARITY proved the
last straw. Il think they might have
arranged things so as not to leave me
in such an embarrassing position.
] They might have given me some hint. "
Wrath was in her voice
Don was troubled. "Oh, come; new
er mind he soothed "Old Sanford
was no end sorry to play such shah
by trick on you people when you had
been SO nice to him. But 1t couldn't
seem to be helped He told me his
troubles some time ago, and l prom
ised to help him. That's why ! had
the bunch for house party now. But
it was personal sacrifice, for 1t pre-.
vented me from being with you so
much"
Things have been SO mixed up,
thought thought" The rest was
lost in tears which Don soothed in
his individual way.
When she was calm he said: DO
you know, Edith, I've been thinking
that Ruth and Tom were pretty wise
after all. Their quiet marriage has
prevented a lot of bother and opposi
ton Why shouldn't we follow their
example? I'll get the license, and we
can be married at my aunt's home
She'll help us, I'm sure, She never
has been in sympathy with our pa
rents senseless quarrel. Besides.
have a good position now with the
Cregor company"
The proposition took Edith's breath
and at first she decidedly refused, but
at last her objections were overruled
1t was arranged, and his aunt, Mrs
, Margrave, helped them with the sim
pie wedding When it was over, they
started back home in Don's car. The
summer moon was glorious and thu
; white road stretched before them like
an enchanted highway. Nevertheless
as they approached their respectiv,
homes, some Of the glamour CAV,
place to misgivings.
Shall we tell our own parents our
selves" Edith nervously asked
u should think 1t would be bette
!. to face the music together. And II
do the telling" replied Don.
They found the picnic party ha,
not yet returned but through tn,
u lighted window, Edith saw her pa
{ rents sitting in the library Togethe
: they entered outwardly brave. inward
ly quaking. Don quietly stated tn
{ facts.
u Edith. prepared for storm. was al
:, ready to fling herself on her father
ii neck with tears and applications. T.
I, her amazement she saw somethin
- like twinkle in his keen eyes as b
= took off his reading glasses
We'll, WE'LL" he chuckled "Thi
9 is the climax your dad and | hav
!" hoped for
But the family quarrel" gaspe
~ Don.
= "Oh, Henry and made that u
SS wars 400" Than with apoth ,