The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-13

the lighthouse stairs as her mother
summoned her.
where have you been, Maida?"
'On the shore, mother" faltered the
girl, and she lowered her eyes, unable
to meet her mothers piercing gaze.
AYE, dreaming OF sweethearts, I'll
warrant All my words to you for
nothing. Didn't refuse a handsome
young fellow, and rich, who loved me
to distraction, because had learned
all men were villains?"
Yes, mother"
You'll stay with your old mother.
Aaida!" The voice was pleading now,
and 1t was the first time Maida's
mother bad ever pleaded with her.
TIE girls eyes filled; she nodded and
turned away.
But those stolen hours were the
sweetest in which the girl had lived.
They lpved each other at sight. she
/, and the young man In the basement
of the lighthouse They planned q
thousand things. When he got we'll
he was to confront Maida's mother
boldly and demand MAZDA by natural
right. II she refused they two would
60 away together In the next sea cap
tain's boat that touched at Inch Rock
Mazda listened with beating heart
while he told her Of his home in the
Canaries, Of his father. who would
never reject the choice his son made
of bride; of the tropical trees and
palms in that island paradise.
So three nights and days passed
The young man had recovered from
his injury. And they ever planned
the method of breaking the news to
the crazed old woman above.
Mazda feared her mother no longer
She seemed to have unfolded from
girlhood to womanhood in those three
days; and, as If sensible of it, her
insensibiy altered
On the fourth night mild air and
brilliant moon tempted them from
the cellar. Above, they knew the old
woman would be seated, as she al
ways sat, beside the light, thinking
safe if they kept under the tower
They wandered on together, and her
lovers arm sought Maida's waist and
held her. and their lips met in happy
kiss. Insensible of the passage Of
time they wandered on.
Suddenly slight noise startled
! and awakened them Before them
stood Maidas mother, frantic with
rage and grief She shook her fist at
Mazda and babbled incoherently
Come, mother said the young
man, II own We played you an unfair
trick, but it wasn't my fault that |
should have got washed ashore upon
an island where the dearest girl in
the world lives"
AYE, you've stole her from me-"
sobbed the old woman. but I'll hold
her. I'll kill you both first I'll burn
the tower and YOU"
Now, mother, be sensible" pleaded
the young man, laying his hand on
her arm. You haven't thought that
Mazda would grow up to womanhood
some day, that marriage is her right.
% love is. You haven't treated her
rightly"
Rightly" cried the old woman
What right has girl in the world
today? Who is there to care for her
except her mother? Listen to me, and
! I'll tell you something that not even
MAZDA knows.
You'll laugh and sheer when I tell
you that in my day l was the belle
OF my native town, not many miles
from here. Among all my suitors
there was just one ! gave my heart
: to. He was handsome-Oh, yes, he
was handsome. was just girl. and
didn't know that the young, quiet
Englishman, whom / laughed at, be-
cause he was afraid to look me in the
face. was worth twenty of my false
lover. I trusted him
He was coming back to marry me
very soon, and so nobody need know.
And ! had faith In him-the faith
girl has. And waited, and he never
came. And the folks found out my
shame, and where everybody had
sought my company was despised
and outcast, and had nobody, nobody
at all to ask advice of before Mazda
was born. That's the sort of chance
girl has. And now you know, do
you still want MAZDA, knowing what
she ISL"
MAZDA shrank back, hardly under
standing the passion OF bitter mem
DRY that dashed her mother, but the
young man drew her to him
.! do" he answered
Il learned too late what false hearts
men have" continued the mother.
There was just one that stood by me
the young Englishman who had
loved me He wanted me still, he
wanted TO care for MAZDA But |
couldn't let him knew It would be
pity and not love. So came here. IL
there's another man alive like him
might trust my girl to him, but to
none other. And there could only be
one &c offrey Hale in the world"
The young man, who had listened
attentively, started and then sprang
forward
My father" he cried. You are
Louise Troy. He has often spoken OF
you. Look at me, mother Don't you
zee my fathers face in me?"
lncredulously the old woman seized
him by the shoulder and stared into
his eyes. Suddenly mask seemed to
fall from her face.
Il have-lived for this day, she
said solemnly. Be good to her. r.