The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-23

Seuo. i BEEN 10 uo hviAe
dream. 81 hate to look around and
see how little there is to be done.
Two more weeks and I'm through
Maybe you'll get Mr.. Lords town
house to do over" suggested Miss
Mason. the practical.
mo, Mr.. Lord means to sell that
town house and live exclusively in
the country Personally, | cant I'M
derstand why anybody should desire
such an enormous mansion"
Very likely he means to announce
his engagement" observed Miss Day,
holding a sketch at arms length and
inspecting 1t critically.
Jane gave an odd. hysterical giggle
and Jumped up quickly.
Good night, girls I'm going to
bed"
But on the threshold she turned.
rs there anything can do for eth
Or Of you" she asked.
THAT was brutal Of you!" exclaim-
ed Miss Mason. severely.
1T was rather raw to say that and
/ could bite out my tongte now"
answered Miss Day, regretfully. ITS
like Jane, too, to forgive q person
the second after a nasty dig and Of
fer to do something for her. ! never
dreamed that she cared about him.
Looks as though she does"
Miss Mason nodded slowly. In
that case l suppose it's better that
the house will be finished 80 soon, "
she said modify.
The rapidly progressing work did
not inspire Jane with any great
amount of regret. Her pleasure in 1t
was suddenly gone.
I'll be happy when 1t is all over
and done with" she told the girls.
The last two weeks seemed to
cause her considerable restlessness.
she has something on her mind
as sure as anything" observed Miss
Mason. IF this contract is going to
make her unhappy, l. for one. am
sorry that she ever got it."
Here too" replied Miss Day. One
can easily see how she avoids dis
cussing the house or Mr. Lord, and
that's not natural when task has
been we'll and speedily accomplished"
One evening Mr.. Lord brought Jane
home in his motor, as the slush was
unspeakable. He stayed some little
time talking about his plans for the
future. Jane was noticeably silent.
but 1t seemed an effort for her not to
enter into the conversation.
At last Mr.. Lord arose. THE day
Miss Carter says my house is fin
ished. you must all come out to eel
ebration dinner. Now don't forget.
I'm keeping big surprise for that
event! Isn't that so, Miss Carter?''
he asked, smiling systematically
The second he was gone, Jane hur-
ried of to her ROOM
Il know what the surprise is" an.
nOunced Miss Mason. HE has fixed
up this house for his wife, and per-
haps told Jane this evening coming
into town"
Il don't know what ever would
do II he were to announce 1t that
night" groaned Miss Day.
At last the house was complete ed
Mr.. Lord called for the trio in his
motor. but scarcely a word was spok,
on on the way out. The tour through
the fresh. beautiful rooms filled the
girls with sadness. Jane was unus.
ually quiet, and even the lavish praise
bestowed upon her failed to lift the
veil Of quiet which seemed to envelop
her. She presided at the dinner table
in an equally silent mood.
At last Mr.. Lord stood up. a glass
Of light wine in his hand.
Nov for the surprised" he cried
gayly. I'VE must drink to the future
mistress Of this house,"
Miss Mason and Miss Day choked
down sip Of the wine. and dared
not look toward poor Jane. There
was an awkward pause.
Won't you give me your good
wishes. girls?" asked Jane. In a wee
small voice. you don't know how
many times have nearly let the cat
out Of the bag these last few weeks
The only safe course was not to talk
at ALL"
Then the astonished girls saw Mr.
Lord put his arm around James waist
and draw her towards him.
"Ladies-now drink 1t this time
to the future mistress of this housed"
he exclaimed joyfully.