The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-06
RED CROSS and KHAKI
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Marina Wilson was sad to sec cd
London after her six weeks among
the wounded in Belgium.
Lieut.. Cyril El;Ler too, was glad
to see London after being in the thick
of the fighting tor two iong mon,hs.
Neither Marina wilson nor L.e.l
Baker knew that TIE other c. &c
1t was an amusing surprise then for
the young officer to see his own and
Miss Wilson's pictures boldly printed
in the middle section of the Mirror.
The heading connecting the two pho
tograph was Military Wedding"
Blaker was half annoyed and half
amused at the mistake made in
the newspaper once. In the same
page there appeared the photograph
of Lieutenant Cameron, at home in
Kent recovering nom wounds.
There was photograph also
of Miss Jane Cartright, Red Cross
nurse. Baker saw Immediately that
the four pictures had been confused.
Mice face-Miss Wilson'S" was the
officers decision after long contempla-
ton OF the face beside his own in the
paper. Il fancy she won't mind the
mistake any more than I do"
When congratulations began to pour
in on him by letter and telegraph, to-
gether with much gOod-natured chat,
his anger decreased while his amuse-
ment grew. The situation served as a
pain forgotten and oblivion temper
arily to the scenes OF the battlefield.
The little Red Cross nurse was
completely at loss to know why tele-
grams and letters reached her congrat-
ulating her on her forthcoming mar
riage. She had not seen the photo
graphs in the daily paper nor had she
heard the name of Cyril Baker
It was not until she received the
letter from Captain Gordon of the
Queen Victoria Rifles. young officer
whom she had nursed back to health
in Belgium, that the mystery was par
TALLY solved.
Cyril is fine chap" Captain Cor
don had written. Il have been at
his diggings, Dunkirk. in Nottingham,
Kent, often. Long life and great hap
piness to you both"
Marina realized that it had cost
Captain Gordon much to write those
words. The captains love had been
hard to refuse. She smiled, however,
for his letter gave her the cue she
wanted She would write now to Lieu
tenant Baker and ask him to solve
the riddle for her
Being delightfully."- sunny day and
not a long trip into Kent. Marina
dressed herself with unusual taste
and took the train for Nottingham.
There was no reason why she should
not go. Her life among the wound
ed soldiers had taught her that pru-
derry is thing unknown to the Red
Cross nurse.
Her trip through the meadows of
Kent was delightful When she
reached Nottingham she stepped into
the little lane leading from the sta
ton and inquired her way to T un-
kirk. II the walk was not too long
she preferred to take it. for the sum-
mer was in full and fragrant bloom
a tonic for ragged nerves.
Dunkirk was a rambling old house
that lay in tangle of rose arbors.
Lieutenant Baker. lying In his in
valid's chair, glanced up from tia read
ing at the sound of light footsteps
approaching.
He drew a surprised and wonder
fully exhilarating breath when he saw
the slim figure making its way
through an arbor of roses in his dlrec-
ton. For just second his glance
was puzzled.
He would have risen save that
Marna's quickened step and raised
hand prevented him.
Il will not come IL you attempt to
stand" she admonished with dainty
command. 81 know an invalid when
see one" Her smile 80 radiated her
face that Baker felt slightly jealous
smiled upon. Her picture. ne told MIN.
self, In no way flattered ner.
Marina seemed surprised that there
was recognition in his eyes for to
her the young, bandage-enclosed ON
Ger I'm the chair was complete
stranger
Il suppose you have come down to
talk about the wedding?" he ques.
toned laughingly, when she had seat
ed herself beside him. Then beckon.
ing to a maid in the window, he Or
dered tea brought into the garden
But, you see, I am in the dark !
haven't the slightest idea what has
prompted all my friends to make this
ab-this mistake"
Il thank you for leaving out the
word absurd" Lieutenant Blazer said,
and Marina blushed with charming
promptness. Haven't you seen this?"
he asked, handing her a sheet from
the daily paper.
MOI" she said softly, and continued
to blush when she saw her own and
the young officers photographs and
the headline above Il haven't looked
at the papers much. this is rather
amusing" she faltered, at which
Baker laughed heartily
I'm very glad you're not angry.
Captain Gordon's letter to me made
me more than anxious to meet you"
he explained. These papers make
lot of blunders, but this is a happy
one for me. | want you to meet my
mother and sisters We will all have
cup of tea"
And that was the odd beginning of