The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-24
THE TERRIBLE ORDEAL
BY VICTOR RADCLIFFE.

| OOildrS aQedO, hOlI0 tOlu EuulCc.
Then / will come back and start a
small business with that capital and
we will settle down modestly, but
happily"
Then he had folded her in his fond,
sheltering arms and they had repeat
ed for the thousandth time their mu-
tual vows of unalterable fidelity.
And now at the end Of a years
exile, Rolfe regarded his cherished
savings. every dollar Of which had
been wrought out through his fidelity
and devotion to Eunice.
One thing troubled him somewhat!
About month previous he had re-
ceived letter from Eunice, which
indicated that events had transpired
at the quiet home village that had
brought a new and animated interest
into her quiet life
She wrote that former partner of
her father in a northern iron mine
that had turned out disappointment
had appeared. He had become
wealthy, and this Mr.. Grant in the
+ goodness of his heart had sought out
his old business associate.
| Nothing will do, Mr.. Grant in
sists," wrote Eunice, "but that we
must take trip with him and enjoy
life outside of the humdrum one we
lead here. He has been very liberal
| to father and made him accept two
thousand dollars, which he says is
really due him from the sale Of the
old mine. l may be away for month
with father. but will write you every
| week."
Which Eunice had not done, and
because Of this Rolfe felt somewhat
disappointed and depressed.
Il will be glad when this flare is
over" meditated Rolfe. Soon Eunice
will be back home. Then for the
quiet, loving letters from the darling
Of my heart once more!"
Two evenings later there came a
shock to Rolfe Maitland that rooted
him to the spot where the unexpect-
ed demonstration occurred. He had
been viewing the city boulevard
crowds in a casual stroll-the gay
automobile parties the finely dressed
ladies'. the young sparks Of society,
out for excitement and enjoyment
He did not envy them, for to his hon.
est heart Eunice and little home
filled the cup Of happiness.
A splendid machine flashed by. In
Its rear seat sat man of perhaps
fifty, but made up to look much
younger. He was faultlessly dressed.
And beside him was
"Eunicet"
The word burst unrestrainedly from
the lips of the marveling Rolfe. She
was radiantly attfred, she was smil-
Ing at her companion in the machine
as though exhilarated with her super
fetal surroundings and in complete
harmony with the pride and folly OF
her new experience.
The next morning, glancing over a
newspaper page, he read with bated
breath and blanched face the an
nouncement that Gerald Grant, son
Of the wealthy iron king, Robert
Grant. was to wed Miss Copley.
Then it had been brought about
through the influence Of this Grant!
Eunice was false, the very earth
seemed to fade away from him. At
once Rolfe resigned his position. He
was stricken, crushed. Hope and
energy died out. He wandered the
streets aimlessly. He passed three
days as one in dream. Then, wan,
heartbroken. he took the train for
Compton
When he arrived at his native vii
lage he evaded its principal streets
and its inhabitants. BY a roundabout
course he reached the little cemetery
where his mother lay. It was at her
grave that he finally knelt. He prayed.
he agonized.
In the dim dusk he arose. The
swish of a garment across the moonlit
grass caused him to turn.
"Rolfe! oh. Rolfe!" cried a long
ing voice. and flying towards him was
Eunice. precious Eunice!
The silken gown, the gay gewgaws !
OF fashion were gone. It was Eunice |
In her old modest home attire-sim.
pie, lovely, and loving and glad.
He was dumbed at the unexpected
rencounter. She led him to a grassy |
mound. She piled him with ques.
lions. Why had he never answered
her letters? And then his heart light.
ened, for the truth came out at last.
Yes, she and her father had gone
with Robert Grant He had shown
them great civilities. Then he had
introduced his son. The one aim of
his life seemed to be to see those two
welded.
And we have learned why" ex.
planned Eunice now. "It seems that
father is rightfully half owner of all
his wealth. for 1t came through a ma
nipulation of the old mine interests,
We have been home two days and
some lawyers are investigating the
case. As to Gerald Grant i saw him
once; a reckless profiigate, as is his
father mercenary schemer. He must
have appropriated your letters to me
to further his plot" /
oh, the terrible ordeal!" shud.
dered Rolfe, land, oh, this happy
moment" ard he EMBODIED Eunice in
bis grateful arms. 81 am of all men