The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-21
The TERRIBLE ORDEAL
BY VICTOR RADCLIFFE.

Then will come back and start
small business with that capital and
we will settle down modestiy' Out
happily"
Then he had folded her in his fond,
sheltering arms and they had repeat
ed for the thousandth time their mu-
| tual vows of unalterable fidelity.
And now at the end Of years
exile, Rolfe regarded his cherished
savings, every dollar Of which mad
been wrought out through his fidelity
and devotion to Eunice.
One thing troubled him somewhat!
About q month previous he had re-
ceived a letter from Eunice, which
indicated that events had transpired
at the quiet home village that had
brought a new and animated interest
into her quiet life.
She wrote that former partner OF
her father in q northern iron mine
that had turned out a disappointment
had appeared. He had become
wealthy, and this Mr.. Grant in the
goodness of his heart had sought out
his old business associate.
Nothing will do, Mr.. Grant in
sists," wrote Eunice, but that we
must take a trip with him and enjoy
life outside Of the humdrum one we
lead here. He has been very liberal
to father and made him accept two
thousand dollars, which he says Is
really due him from the sale OF the
old mine. may be away for month
with father, but will write you every
week."
Which Eunice had not done and
, because of this Rolfe felt somewhat
, disappointed and depressed.
81 will be glad when this flare Is
over" meditated Rolfe. Soon Eunice
will be back home. Then for thf
quiet. loving letters from the darling
) of my heart once more!"
Two evenings later there crme
shock to Rolfe Maitland that rooted
: him to the spot where the unexpect
ed demonstration occurred. lie ha;
: been viewing the. city boulevard
crowds in q casual stroll-the ga.
automobile parties, the finely dressed
ladies', the young sparks Of society
r out for excitement and enjoyment
He did not envy them, for to his hon
est heart Eunice and little HON
J. filled the cup of happiness.
A splendid machine flashed by. L
. its rear seat sat a man OF perhap
fifty, but made up to look muc
o younger. He was faultlessly dressed
"A And beside him was
70 "Eunice!"
The word burst unrestrainedly frol
the lips of the marveling Rolfe. Sh
~ y, was radiantly attired, she was smi
~ ing at her companion in the machin
y as though exhilarated with her supe
fetal surroundings and in complet
-. harmony with the pride and folly
her new experience.
~ The next morning, glancing over
~ newspaper page, he read with bate
~ breath and blanched face the a
- nouncement that Gerald Grant, &C
" of the wealthy iron king, Robe
, Grant, was to wed Miss Copley.
Then 1t had been brought abo
r. through the influence Of this Gran
- Eunice was false, the very ear
=. seemed to fade away from him. .
81 once Rolfe resigned his position. I
was stricken, crushed. Hope q
energy died out. He wandered t
streets aimlessly. He passed thr
=. days as one in a dream. Then, we
heartbroken, he took the train
no. Compton.
ast When he arrived at his native
,., LACE he evaded its principal stree
~. and its inhabitants. BY a roundabc
re course he reached the little cemete
49, where his mother lay. It was at I
crave that he finally knelt He pray
q he agonized.
In the dim dusk he arose. I
ved swish of a garment across the moor
the grass caused him to turn.
!. Of "Rolfe! oh. Rolfe!" cried a 10
hil. ing voice, and flying towards him
fes. Eunice, precious Eunice!
The silken gown, the gay gewga
and Of fashion were gone. 1t was Fun
ers' in her old modest home attire-s
lch, pie, lovely, and loving and glad.
,ers He was dumbed at the unexpec
the rencounter. She led him to era
mound. She piled him with q
hat lions. Why had he never answe
and her letters? And then his heart III
, In ened, for the truth came out at !
en-" Yes, she and her father had g
ate with Robert Grant. He had she
of . them great civilities. Then he
the introduced his son. The one ain
do his life seemed to be to see those
cod. welded.
,hild .Ara ve have learned why."
'ers planned Eunice now. 1T seems
father is -rightfully half owner OF
his wealth, for it came through
!: nipulation of the old mine inter-
.ime We have been home two days
mus some lawyers are investigating
>. case. As to Gerald Grant, / saw
Isu' once; q reckless profligate, as is
i father a mercenary schemer. He !
o .. have appropriated your letters to
"'oA to further his plot"
"Oh, the terrible ordeal!" g
. dered Rolfe. "and, oh, this b
- moment" and he EMBODIED EuniG
his grateful arms. Il am Of all
.,,,. most blessed"