The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-17
A WIG IN THE Wind
Ey CATHARINE cRANMEE,

AS for being on friendly terms with
MI. Gray, know of no reason why 1
shouldn't be friendly with him, for he
is as truly a gentleman as any man l
know"
Grace gave the open car more speed
and 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 a 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 few min
utes later the covered car drew up on
the sheltered side of the shop. 1t
proved to be q 1itney 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 tiny pigtail 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
|
hair had passed was but the adoption
of series of wigs, each one whittier
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 hin
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 would-be suitors for he
nieces hand. Besides, and most o
all, she wanted to get home and hav'
in a masseuse and that discreet hair
dresser. and several other people t.
repair her in time for the evening
She was half inclined to assent t
Gray's suggestion that she ride hom
in the closed jitney.
Hurry up Ashby," called Gray
companion from the jitney, I've go
two assignments waiting for me Il
town."
But the name of Ashby had strucl
pleasantly on Mrs. Allison-Dodge'
aristocratic ear.
did he call you Ashby? though
your name was Gray" She looked II
quiringly at Gray as Grace buttone
the final button on the rain coat sh
had taken from her own shoulders t
place upon her aunt.
"Ashby Gray" corrected Gray, an
by way of further explanation, added
"Ashby was my mothers Made
name"
you don't mean that your mothe
was Amy Ashby who married DR.. Wei
ington Gray, the Boston clergyman?
YES" smiled Gray, as the lady
! manner melted into effusiveness.
Five minutes later Mrs. Allison
Dodge was speeding alone toward tn
city to be let out at the fashionabl
Alhambra from an ordinary jitney.
suddenly occurred to Grace that Asht
might have given up important wor
4 to remain there with her.
r II feel that I've no right to accel
|, such a sacrifice from you, Mr.. Ora
and II it's important for you to
back in town soon, don't let's wait a
other minute on account of the rain.
shan't mind how wet l get, for
d haven't any rheumatism. and" 81
= met his smiling eyes with a frank
: amused smile, Il haven't any wig"
= you don't have to tell me that" /
!. said laughingly, as he looked admi
ingly at the bronZe-colored mass
u hair which the dampness had dar
: cned from a bright copper color ar
: had kinked each loose lock into
tight curl
; Poor Aunt Clara; she'd never hin
q ed a wig, and what is more, she new
will. I'm glad she made friends wit
you before leaving, for now she w
feel that her secret is in the hands
friends only, and" Grace hesitate
s and Ashby added: And thereto
e quite safe"
It Grace telephoned her aunt as 500
l. as she arrived at home.
V I'm home all safe. Aunt Clara;
= the ught you'd like to know"
I'm delighted, dearie; and where
tina. nice Mr.. Gray?"
Hes gone home to dry, but he
coming out this eevning.
II Bring him over to call on me, VOL
you?"
D IF It clears up, maybe; but the
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