The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-02

ton and . smile which detained the
unbidden guest scarcely . dossn Sec
onds. In another moment Mr.. Pen
nington was moving among the
throng.
What she could see Of the place
showed little change. Evidently the
newcomers had been satisfied with
her taste. There was . pretty girl
pouring tea from Shefield pot which
had been an heirloom In her family.
at q table which had been . wedding
gift. She accepted . cup Of tea. A
she had expected. the spoon was from
her silver: they had changed the mon
ogram. It was almost Supplying to
look about the room to Sc all these
strangers In her rooms! In absurd
resentment she glanced toward the
hostess, just in time to catch per
turbed CLEAN In the ladys eye.
Without being able to hear . word
Of what she Was saying to someone
whose glance was also toward Mn.
Pennington, the latter knew she was
suspected. Until that instant she AaA
fancisd herself ready to come forward
with ready grace and explain. Al that
instant she felt every social instinct
and requirement desert her. In the
presence OF all the silent symbols OF
her old HE she was unnerved.
She dropped Into . chair. her cheeks
yuiltily crimsoa. wondering what
might b about % happen. feeling per-
fectiy powerless to cope with what
ever might be. A she seated hsrself,
the chair moved slightly. brushing
against . gentleman who had been
standing with his back toward It. He
turned quickly, glanced at the occu-
pant who was oblivious to him, and
stared.
| In another moment he was exclaim-
ing in a voice low and moved by some
agitation. Mrs. Pennington! OF all
wonders!"
She looked up. with a rush Of graft
tude for salvation, to see the one man
| in the world whom she had forbidden
to see her. There he was, fastidious
of dress as ever, clear-skinned, clear
eyed. holding out strong. kind hand
"Mr. Blunt" she answered, scarcely
above her breath.
Where have you been hiding?" he
exclaimed. people have forgotten
that you are alive-all but me-
She smiled. Il work for my living
now, which means that l am not fol
society, nor society for me. l work In
an office l was on my way home
when, quite accidentally. dropped in
here"
"In an office!" he repeated. amazed
You, Mrs. Pennington! But-how
fortunate for mel didn't know you
knew the BARRIERS"
II don't" she replied. and to his
amusement accounted for her pres
ence. Il think you have saved me
from ejectment." she concluded. 81
know they were doubtful of me-"
For a moment he could not trust
himself to speak. Then, Il don't come
here often-becauseo Of the associations
| j ucI6 are dSbOCldtlOub lOI AhCs wv.
He was looking straight at her ant
she could not meet his eyes. Mrs
Pennington remembered their last
meeting. He had CHANGED to come
upon herself and her husband durin(
wretched scene. Ch!valry hat
prompted him to her defense. All In
voluntarily her eyes had answered
with gratitude. Pity on his part hat
been succeeded by deeper feeling
Once he betrayed this, and she sen
him from her presence. With white
face, he had accepted the rebuke ant
never erred again. In her great mis-
cry she had been able to forget him
to forget that she longed sometimes t.
see him.
"You were unkind once" he said II
a low tone. II do not wonder. But II
the time that has passed, have yo'
forgiven me?"
She was silent, and he added, "Per
haps you have not thought Of me q
all?"
81 have thought Of you," she said
"as a memory that would not re
. linquish."
Think of me, not as memory, blu
|. as q man."
She smiled ut is all memor
now, my former life and associations.
But it may become reality again.
She rose. II must 60. Dinner q
|, my boarding house is served at si1
thirty, and who comes late fares tn
worse"
, He moved with her toward the hoi
tess whose perplexity. as she spoke
! parting word. was not wholly hidde
, by smiles. you are sure to be lat
= this evening"" he said. as Mrs. Per
nington was about to withdraw
Wont you dine with me?"
I She hesitated. murmured her a
1 dress and fed.
! With what grief had she viewed he
r old home. with what longing and wis