The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-30
WHEN THE GATE CLOSED
BY DONALD HOPPER,

g. Nancy had given Robert his ring
n and he had taken it. She coul
hardly forgive him for that!
d Mrs. Arden sat in the living room
reading the evening paper. The win
10 dows we're open to the balmy night
ia she knew Nancy and her lover wer,
/. walking in the garden.
n Her daughter came in. She wa,
b quite pale, but her blue eyes CLEANED
a strangely.
s What was that sound I heard? p
went on Mrs Arden. "A creakins
;. sound-did you hear it?"
a Nancy flushed.
a 1T was the gate" she said.
The gate!" Mrs. Arden's voice
, expressed her wonder.
I Bob closed the gate" said Nancy.
! "But-why?"
Il told him to, mother"
1T has never been closed all these
, years. l don't understand it. don't
IKE It, The little lady was visibly
disturbed
i told Robert to close the gate:
our engagement is broken" ex-
planned Nancy.
MRS. Arden was silent for some
time. Her eyes were thoughtful. and
sne did not reproach her daughter.
as Nancy expected
Perhaps 1t is just as we'll NV
dear. or course you and Bob are al.
most TOO young to be quite certain of
your hearts. We were all very happy
over the thought of the families being
united; still, it may be for the best
after ALL"
Why, MOTHER" asked Nancy in a
queer tone. Best for me-or for
Bob?" ~
I was thinking that now Bob
would be free to take that trim to
India with Professor Morrison. Colo
mel Leigh said it would be a world of
benefit for Fob to go merely as the |!
professors private secretary"
They are to be gone year." said |
Nancy, slowly.
Eighteen months. I believe" said
MRS. Arden. picking up her paper.
i've Just been reading about 1.-THE
expedition sails day after tomorrow.
Bob will have to hurry"
Nancy stared into space.
Colonel Leigh looked across the
table at his placid wife.
What was that sound. my dear?"
he inquired.
1t sounded like a gate" she said.
1T could hardly be a gate" said
the colonel. There is only one gate
on the place, and that has never been
closed"
Just then Robert came in, tall and
grave.
your father thought he heard the
gate closing" smiled Mrs. Leigh:
put told him the idea was absurd
the gate has never been closed"
1T is closed now" said Robert
grimly.
Two pairs Of eyes questioned him.
WHY" asked his mother.
Its all of between Nancy and me
we are no longer engaged" Robert
picked up a magazine and sat down II
lnder the lamplight. y
The colonel and his wife stared At 8
Zach other in CONSERVATION. Then
Mrs. Leigh dropped her eyes to her q.
uniting and a long-forgotten dimple =
appeared at the corner of her mouth. N
Her husband recognized that dimple III
In younger days he had surrendered III
o its wiles. Now he watched it. III
fascinated. III
so the engagement is broken" iii
nurmured Roberts mother. Dear
ne. | am sorry, but perhaps it's all Hi
Or the best Nancy is a dear sirl. hi
ut perhaps she would get along bet. III
sr with man who could manage III
er more than you do. Bobby dear. Hi
ut shall finish that luncheon set I'LL
am embroidering for her. It will iii
g ready as soon as she does marry. I'LL
nere's that young Kenyon from
verbrook-he is very devoted" IN
MRS. Leigh rambled on, her dimple ||
ways in evidence. iii
The colonel watched his wife. and iii
obert stared at nothing. I'LL
IT'S not too late to Join Morrison.s I|lI|
petition reminded the colonel. It'll
ter while. "Of course, we hate to |||I|
you go, son, but IL you feel now IT'LL
at you are free-why hello I|||l
here's the boy gomez" l||l|
He stared at Roberts empty chair |I
For the first and last time in her IIIll|
Intentional life Mrs. Leigh actually I|ll|
nked at her husband. INN
!IIIII
somewhere in the distance a hell I||||l
IS striking ten. |||||I
The moonlight still flooded the |I|
rden. and shone on the closed gate. l||lI
Nancy stepped hurriedly down the ||IN
tn to the closed gate. She laid l|I
hands on the gate to push 1t open. QlIll
the same instant a pair Of warm. ll|ll
ong hands covered hers. I|||||
Nancy exclaimed Robert. "What |||I|
you doing here, dear?" l|||||
1 came to open the gate" she I
ispered. "Oh. it must never be Ill|I
sed between us again." I|f(l|
Never. sweetheart" he said ten. lllA
ly. and then, together, thew lIu
ned the gate. |I|||l
IFS. Arden heard the sound and Hill