The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-10
at this juncture and the sentence Was
never completed

at this juncture and the sentence WA
never completed.
IT'S Just too wonderful" sighet
Jane. 81 seem to be living in
dream. II hate to look around ahe
see how little there is to be done
Two more weeks and I'm through.
Maybe you'll get Mr.. Lords towf
house to do over" suggested MISE
Mason, the practical.
I no, Mr.. Lord means to sell tha'
town house and live exclusively ID
the country. Personally. | cant I'M
derstand why anybody should desire
such an enormous mansion.
/ Every likely he means to announce
his engagement" observed Miss Day
holding a sketch at arms length and
inspecting 1t critically.
Jane gave an odd. hysterical giggie
and jumped up quickly.
Good night, girls I'm going 70
bed"
But on the threshold she turned.
us there anything / can do for eith-
or of you? she asked.
THAT was brutal of you!" exclaim-
ed Miss Mason. severely.
1T was rather raw to say that and
I could bite out my tongue now"
answered Miss Day. regretfully. ITS
like Jane, too. to forgive a person
the second after nasty dig and Of
fer to do something for her. l never
dreamed that she cared about him.
Looks as though she does"
Miss Mason nodded slowly. I'm
that case suppose it's better that
the house will be finished SO soon"
she said moodily
The rapidly progressing work did
not inspire Jane with any great
amount of regret Her pleasure In 1t
was suddenly gone.
''Tll be happy when it is all over
and done WITH she told the girls.
The last two weeks seemed to
cause her considerable restlessness.
"She has something on her mind
as sure as anything" observed Miss
Mason. IF this contract is going to
make her unhappy, |, for one. am
sorry that she ever got it."
Here too" replied Miss Day. One
can easily see how she avoids dis
GUESSING the house or Mr.. Lord. and
that's not natural when a task has
been we'll and speedily accomplished"
One evening Mr.. Lord brought Jane
home In his motor, as the slush was
unspeakable. He stayed some little
time talking about his plans for the
future. Jane was noticeably silent,
but 1t seemed an effort for her not to
enter into the conversation.
At last Mr. Lord arose. THE day
Miss Carter says my house is fin
ished, you must all come out to a eel
dinner. Now don't forget.
I'm keeping big surprise for that
event! Isn't that so, Miss Carter?"
he asked, smiling enigmatically.
The second he was gone, Jane hur-
ried off to her room
i know what the surprise is" an
nounced Miss Mason. He has fixed
up this house for his wife, and per.
haps told Jane this evening coming
Into town"
Il don't know what ever would
40 II he were to announce It that
night" groaned Miss Day.
AT last the house was completed.
Mr.. Lord called for the trio In his
motor, but scarcely a word was spok-
On on the way out. The tour through |
he fresh, beautiful rooms filled the |
girls with sadness. Jane was unus.
Tally quiet. and even the lavish praise
bestowed upon her failed to lift tie
'eil OF quiet which seemed to enyelop
Ter. She presided at the dinner table
n an equally silent mood.
AT last Mr., Lord stood up. a glass
II light wine in his hand.
Now for the surprised" he cried
'ayiy we must drink to the future
Mistress Of this house,"
Miss Mason and Miss Day choked
own sip of the wine, and dared
ot look toward poor Jane. There
'as an awkward pause.
Won't you give me your good
fishes, girls?" asked Jane, In a wee
mall voice. You don't know hox
lany times | have nearly let the cat
Ut or the bag these last few weeks
ne only safe course was not to talk
ALL"
Inen the astonished girls saw Mr.
ord put his arm around James waist
nd draw her towards him.
ladies-now drink 1t this time-
the future mistress of this house,"
exclaimed 1oyfully.