The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-26

prepared himself for the big innocent
eyes Of Letitia or the demure smile
on Letitia's lips or the smooth shin
Ing braids on Letitia's head. or in fact
any Of the manifold charms that made
up the entire Letitia. He only looked
at her and gripped himself the harder
because OF the pain he felt he was
about to inflict.
She drew nearer and held out q
steady, cordial hand. Any member Of
the clergy was always welcome to
Letitia and she supposed he was one
who had learned Of her little odds
and ends Of charity work.
The girls eyelashes swept quickly
down when she felt the warm, pro-
tecting pressure of the minister's
hand. Then she looked up and said:
Wont you be seated?"
Il have come on q rather peculiar
errand." The minister spoke with
q touch Of gravity. Il found this"
He held out the marriage license and
saw the quick color flame into Lett
; tia's checks.
"Oh! Thank you 90 much. Harold
Mr.. Dryer must have lost It."
Il found it in Central park" tho
clergyman said and waited until the
! color had receded from the girls
face. II could have mailed the doc
ument but I used to know a Harold
Dwyer-in fact" the Rev. Mr.. Du-
rand hesitated for the fraction Of q
minute then went bravely on, 81 mar
ried q Mr.. Harold Dwyer four years
ago. His wife was dear friend Of
NINE"
The minister watched the girls face.
It had grown shade paler and q
startled look had come into her eyes
She regained her composure almost
immediately and laughed a pretty
ringing laugh.
"Why Is It," she asked with no
quite steady voice, that one Away
Jumps to conclusions? The world I,
certainly large enough to contain tw,
or even three Harold Dwyers."
There was a sudden silence in tn,
, room while a glance fraught with fea
and newborn understanding passe'
between the minister and the CIR
: The minister was the first to speal
and he strove to make his tone light
, Then you are the first to ventur
with your Mr.. Dwyer into the land {
matrimony?"
"Yes," said the girl, initiating hi
tone, but underneath there was
vague feeling Of disquiet. The roor
seemed suddenly to be peopled wit
strange and ugly shapes.
The girl turned toward the windo,
as II to escape some hidden pressure
Here is Mr.. Dwyer now" she sale
but In dull monotone.
The Rev. DR.. Durand had caught
heeting glimpse Of the man who wa
then entering the house, and he too
up position well in the center s
that Dryer might see him to best al
vantage.
The minister was conscious OF heay
lily beating pulses when he heard tn
mans entrance and felt him glanc
into the front room. Then he heard
smothered exclamation and realize
that Harold Dryer had ned precip
lately from the life Of Letitia Larkir
The girl realized everything in
fash of intuition. She smiled a hal
wistful little smile and because sh
was adorably feminine she did tina
which was expected Of her an
tainted into the minister's armt
When she opened her eyes he wa
gazing down at her with an expires
sion that brought all the color bac
into Letitia's cheeks.
1T was good of you to save me-" sh
, said demurely.
II couldn't do less" the ministe
told her. "And thank my good men
. DRY for Names" he added.
! Letitia was slowly tearing the i
[ cense to bits.
You can get another one-som
day." the Rev. Durand said, half Il
, earnest.
Letitia blushed for she caught tn
, serious meaning beneath the Jest. An
when she did get another marriag
; license the big minister accompanie
her to take charge Of it--and her.