The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-20
"DEvo1EDLY, BIll'
BY lola FORESTER.

Where are the matchesv
Nan stumbled over a taboret and
emitted startled exclamation.
"Forevermore! Eleanor, where on
earth are you?"
Stand still until l can find where
the switch is, goose" There came
the click of button and the long /
reception hall lay revealed in. . flood
Of light.
1t was after twelve, and they both
needed rest more than anything after
the trip down from the mountains.
1t was cheerier in the coy bedroom
suite upstairs. The rooms connected
with each other, and Nan rambled
about. her brown hair In two long
braids and kimono wrapped about |
her. Tucked into a corner was a pho.
tograph that seemed different from the |
rest. 1t was such a splendid, manly !
young face that smiled out at one from |
1t. Nan turned it over and read on |
the back in a scrawling, boyish writ |
ing:
"Devotedly, Bill
Over at the little white dressing
table Eleanor sat brushing her hair.
Somehow no one would ever have con-
nected her with college boys who
signed themselves, "Devotedly. BILL"
What are you chuckling over?"
asked Eleanor.
"Devotedly, Bill"
Eleanor turned around, her fair hair
falling loosely over her shoulders, her
eyes filling with tears.
"Oh, Nell, didn't mean to stir up
anything"
"Oh, it's all right. You didn't strike
any heavy minor chord" She looked
down at the photograph tenderly. "He
was just a boy met up at Cornell
last winter the very first boy that
ever dared to love me-"
Bless his old brave heart" inter-
her chin on her hands. Doesn't he
even write to you?"
I'VE promised we wouldn't. not for
year. What that"
Both girls rose to their feet with
startled eyes.
Somebody fell over the taboret
in the hail." Nan whispered. her dark
eyes wide with dread. You turned
off the lights"
Eleanor thought quickly. The house
had been closed since June. care
taker came every day to look after it,
| Nd ~; 81, tol,,
posed to guard it. She crossed The
} room and locked both doors leading
= into the hall, then went to the win.
dows.
a Did you hear that ?" Nan whispered
: her face pressed against the door
j, listening Somebody whistled. and il
>. was answered.
Nan shark back. her face covered
> with her hands, but Eleanor Slipped
one arm around her, soothing her ever
= while her own heart throbbel heavily
II Come on, now" called dee,
II voice. "Opon up. You know you can
:. get out Of there"
. And you cannot get in" returned
" Eleanor clearly. IF you attempt tt
break in the doors will fire."
Sure. It's womah's voice." the,
heard some one say. Shall breal
:, in the door Nj. Elar?"
- mo, no, wait" The knob turned
IL A shoulder pressed against the doc
l. panel. Nell open the door. please
in ] know your voice. It's Bill"
S, who's with you?"
m Just the Waterman. / saw tn
: lights and thought burglars were il
here Omen the door please"
= Eleanor turned tie key. Tall an
~ very lovely she locked in her lone
. blue crepe kinlono. her face pale an
braids over her shoulders like som
uld.time Saxon princess.
Out in the hallway stood Bill, tn
original of the picture, and the oil
Waterman.
Nell" he cried. Il had no idea
was you in here. I've had a rooi
- across the street all summer just t
be near the house. and when | saw tn
lights fash on. called Sullivan her
and we hustled over to get the bu
glars. I'm awfully orry.'
Sullivan moved tactfully down tn
hallway. testing locks here and Their
Nan had dropped Imply into a willo
chair, with its back toward the two ;
the door. Ell raised two white. Sill
hands to his li0s and kissed them,
ITS so wonderful to- see you agai
girl dear. I've watched these barre
shutters all summer. waiting for yo
en- to come back | wont wait yea
Nell. Look at me. Aren't You g!a
- to see me-"
: Don't you know, Billie boy?"
; Listen, dear Don't let them tai
. YOU away from me again. It's Prov
, dence. this misup here tonight. Il
z been No.. Tor months. Don't s;
no, Nell. I'll be over early for yo
and well be married before anythii
2 can happen
: He was gone before she could ey'