The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-14
A WIG IN The Wind
BY CATHARINE cRANMER.

WI. urdy, KNOW Oh no reason why l
shouldn't be friendly with him, for he
is as truly gentleman as any man /
know"
Grace gave the open car more speed
and a drop of rain in Mrs. Allison
Dodge's face cut short her reply to
her niece's spirited speech. The
clouds darkened, the wind became
stronger, and that first drop of rain
was followed by other scattered drops.
The rock road was now in sight.
A hurried glance over her shoulder
showed Grace covered car approach
ing from behind. About half a mile
after they struck the rock road they
came to blacksmith shop and gener-
al store just as the rain began to
come down in driving sheets. With
out waiting for permission, Grace ran
her car under the shed, and a few min
utes later the covered car drew up on
the sheltered side of the shop. 1t
proved to be jitney in which Ashby
Gray had started back to the city.
Seeing Mrs. Allison-Dodge in dismay
and her niece vainly trying to soothe
her, Ashby Gray defied the rain and
dashed from the jitney to the shed,
offering any assistance possible.
In her agitation to see whether the
storm promised to abate, Mrs. Allison
Dodge lifted her veil to peer at the
clouds. A sudden twisting wind swept
veil and hat and even the soft white
hair from her head. She cried out and
grabbed wildly at the moving mass of
chiffon and lace and hair, but the wind
was stubborn and the veil became
tangled, and the lady renowned for
her soft white hair and lovely skin
stood revealed with a tiny pigtai of
gray hair in which a streak of faded
brown still showed
Grace stood as astounded as Ashby
Gray, for she had not known that her
aunt wore a wig Except for one dis
Greet hairdresser there was perhaps
no one who suspected that the gradual
whitening process through which her
hair had passed was but the adoption
of a series of wigs, each one winter
than its predecessor. After a speech
less interval which seemed ages to all
three, Grace managed to help adjust
the mass of head covering.
Aunt Clara" began Grace, a mo-
ment afterward, "Mr. Gray says it will
take an hour to run back to town with
the roads as wet as they are, and
don't you think you'd better let him
take you on in his covered car now
and let me come on later when the
rain stOps?"
Something told Mrs. Allison-Dodge
that this was no time to harbor pref
udice against wouldbe suitors for her
niece's hand. BESIDES, and most of
all, she wanted to get home and have
in masseusc and that discreet hair
dresser. and several other people to
repair hSr in time for the evening
She was half inclined to assent to
Grays suggestion that she ride home
in the closed jitney
Hurry up, Ashby,'' called Gray's
companion from the jitney. i've got
two assignments waiting for me in
town."
But the name of Ashby had struck
pleasantly on Mrs. Allison-Dodge's
aristocratic ear.
did he call you Ashby? l thought
your name was Gray" She looked in
quiringly at Gray as Grace buttoned
the final button on the rain coat she
had taken from her own shoulders to
place upon her aunt.
"Ashby Gray" corrected Gray, and
by way of further explanation, added:
"Ashby was my mothers maiden
name"
You don't mean that your mother
was Amy Ashby who married DR.. Well
ington Gray, the Boston clergyman
Yes smiled Gray, as the lady's
manner melted into effusiveness.
Five minutes later Mrs. Allison
Dodge was speeding alone toward the
city to be let out at the fashionable
Alhambra from an ordinary jitney 1t
suddenly occurred to Grace that Ashby
might have given up important work
to remain there with her.
Il feel that I've no right to accept
such sacrifice from you, Mr.. Gray.
and il it's important for you to be
back in town soon. don't let's wait an
other minute on account of the rain
shan't mind how wet | get. for
haven't any rheumatism. and" she
met his smiling eyes with frankly
amused smile. Il haven't any wig"
You don't have to tell me that" he
said laughingly. as he looked admir-
ingly at the bronzc-colored mass of
hair which the dampness had dark
cncd from bright copper color and
had kinked each loose lock into IA
tight curl.
Poor Aunt Clara; she'd never hint
ed wig, and what is more. she never
will. I'm glad she made friends with
YOU before leaving. for now she will
feel that her secret is in the hands of
friends only. and" Grace hesitatcd
and Ashby added: And therefore
quite safe"
Grace telephoncd her aunt as soon
as she arrived at home.
I'm home all safe, Aunt Clara; l
thought you'd like to know
I'm delighted, dearie: and where is
that nice Mr. Cray"
He's gone home to dry, but he's
coming out this eevning."
"Rring him over TO call on me. won't
you?"
If it clears up. maybe; but Their
will be lots of other opportunities
A.,.,A l,Inu.. g. L. =. - =. -.