The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-13
MARS AND CUPID MIX
BY HARMONY WHEELER.

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Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)
When Capt Cyril Blake was ordere,
with his regiment to the front, hi
chief regret was the fact that he mus
leave his birds and flowers in the car,
Of strangers. The young officer had ,
hobby for rare songsters and still NOR,
rare flowers and had nurtured then
most devotedly in his small but lovely
domicile in the London suburb. Hi,
concern over their welfare was deem
He felt that only one who loved birds
and flowers could understand and care
for them according to their sensitive
demands.
The advertisement he inserted IL
the papers was human and appealing
and brought a quick response in the
person Of Marina Vance She HAVING
hidden her sweetheart good-by when
his regiment had gone forth to battle
felt that she must do something to oc.
cupy her mind and rid 1t of the horror
OF visualizing the scenes of the battle.
ground.
Captain Blake knew the moment he
saw Marna's face light up at sight of
his birds and flowers that they would
be In perfect care during his absence.
He went of to the front with light
heart. Marina took possession Of his
home and his old housekeeper re-
1oiced in the presence Of a mistress
An communicative male person was
at times trying as a master.
Weeks wore away and on the bat
tieheld only one of the many deeds
Of valor was the going out under fire
OF Private Young Of the Bucks Light
infantry to save wounded officer who
mad fallen. Young, though shot through
the shoulder himself. carried Captain
Blake back to safety. They were both
almost across the great border, but
awakened to recover in the base hos
pital in Paris. Captain Blake, realizing
that he owed his life TO Private Young,
offered him all that he had to offer for
the time, and that was lasting friend.
ship. Young also received the Victoria
Cross short time later.
When they could be moved from the
hospital Blake insisted that Young 20
with him to the suburban cottage to
recuperate
The little English nurse who was
ministering angel to some twenty
wounded men and who had admins.
tered to them during eight weeks with
out full nights rest, took charge of
them even to the moment when they
were put on the hospital ship and
transferred to England. She too. was
In need of rest
A great wave OF guilty Joy swept
over Private Young when he knew that
Blake had asked the little nurse to
continue her good work and stay with .
them until the last bandage was re- !
moved.
Marina stifled cry when she caught
sight OF the two once stalwart men be.
Ing tenderly helped from the big
Limousine in front Of the cottage. She
saw quickly that other hands than
those Of the little nurse were required
to get both into the house and she
went swiftly forward.
"Marna!"
"Davie!"
Those were the only words Captain
Blake and the little nurse heard, but
they told their tale. A pang shot
through the heart of the nurse. and
she turned her eyes quickly away from
the sight of Private Young and the
girl he had left behind him.
Captain Blake smothered an excla.
nation, whether Of pure amazement
or newborn jealousy he did not know.
Blake, because he was on a quicker
road to recovery than Young, found
himself constantly thrown into Mar.
mas society.
And Young, feeling more of a cad
than Blake. knew himself to be in
love with the little nurse who gave
him such tender care. I,
Things reached a climax on the day
that Marina slipped from the perch
upon which she was standing in order ,
10 feed one Of the birds. Fortunately
Blake was standing close beside her.
ana save for his swift movement
Marina would have had bad fall. He ,
caught her In his arms and Marina
ooking swiftly into his face, saw him ,
urn pale. Her own eyes hid them.
'elves with sudden shyness, and when J..
me erected herself and tried to thank
Tim her voice refused to act without a =
elltale tremor in it.
She slipped quickly away. leaving =,
'aptain Blake glowing with the knowl. =
dge that Marina loved him.
The girl, with heightened color =
'ent straight to David Young. :,
Davie.' she said softly and with a q
mile In her eyes. I'VE do not love y
ach other as sweethearts, do We?
nihk she added with dainty banter. ri
mat you are secretly pining for" h
Marna-you're a darling" David -
AID swiftly and put his good arm $,
oout her. He was kissing her on A,
ther blushing cheek when Captain
lake and the nurse stood in the door. h,
ay.
CONSERVATION reigned for a moment =,
hen David and Marina looked smil-
gly at the two in the door. ~
We are just breaking our engage. N
ent,' they said in duet.
Capital" said Blake, and the little u
lrse blushed. ..
= hi
Mother Cleaned Up. q,
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