The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-29
AN UNEXPECTED GUEST
BY WAYNE CUNNINGHAM,


It was six miles from the railway
station, Maud had written; Just
pleasant little hike along the shore
road until you came to Turtle isle. /
Kate regarded the shore road appre- i
ciatively. The air blew freshly in
from the sound and the water broke
on the beach in long, lazy rolls. Three
whole days to spend on a tiny island
OF the Connecticut shore, three days
OF driftwOod and marshmallow parties.
Maud said there were quite q number
Of the art colony left still. so she
would not be lonesome.
You'll like them all excepting Fall
lows. He's perfectly hopeless when 1t
comes to sociability. George says he's
all right among the men, but he
doesn't like women. Can't even bear
them near him. I wonder who hurt
him, Kate?"
Hates conscience was clear. She
had met Hartley Fallows back in town
at few affairs the past year. Once
he had stood next her at the prelim.
mary reception to a dinner at the
Waldorf in honor Of some notable
party, and she had noticed a long
curly blonde hair on his black coat.
Blessed with a sense Of humor, she
had said very gently, "She has blonde
hair. hasn't she, Mr.. Fallows?"
And he had turned horribly red and
looked very distant and embarrassed,
even while he plucked of the blonde
hair. But he did not cast it from him.
He wound it absently around one fin
ger and stuck 1t in his pocket. Such
things change a mans whole life.
1t was Just sunset when she came
to the island. There was a fiat-bot-
toned boat drawn up handily on the
! sandy shore. She called Maud over
and over, then George, but neither ap.
peared. Sisters and brother-in-law
are among the uncertain quantities of
life, but they had at least left the
boat. She pushed 1t Off into the water
and rowed over to the island.
Deserted it was, and the little house
also, but the door was Hospitality ajar,
and she found everything within in
order. Out in the little pantry she
found the remains of some cold boiled
lobster and made herself pot of tea.
With supper tray beside her, she
slipped out Of the travelling suit into
short skirt and MILDLY, dragged a
steamer chair out on the porch and
sat down to enjoy herself AS the last
CLEAN of sunset died from the sky she
drowsed off restfully, curled up in the
big chair.
Perhaps it was the striking of the
match that awakened her. Something
did, and she sat up. startled and be-
wildered for the moment Somebody
was moving around inside and whis.
thing.
"Oh, George, are you homer" she
called. rs Maud there?"
Dead silence. She stood up, listen.
ing. A figure came out of the living
room, the figure of a man, and she
felt he was as thoroughly amazed as
herself.
I'm not George" he said. II think
there's some mistake. am Fallows."
But where's George, Mr. Crane and
my sister," Kate put her hand up to
her cheek. They expected me tonight
and can't find them. IL was awful
ly tired and fell asleep"
II see you did. expect Mr.. Crane
is over on Turtle island, about quar-
ter of mile farther along the shore.
This is my island. Just wait until I
get light and we can see.'
He struck a match and lit a lamp.
It was Hartley Fallows. And, oddly
enough, instead of thinking about
Maud and Georges worry over her.
she remembered 1t had been a blonde
hair.
II say. II the trips too much for
you up there, I'll row over and send
George back with Mrs. Crane to stay
here with you, and we'll bunk up
there"
I'D much rather. I wouldn't feel
$3.50 sort of evicted. don't you know
It would almost seem as II had been
welcome. think it's bad luck to
move so soon after you're settled.
don't your
II was three weeks later when they
broke camp for the city. There had
been a last bonfire of driftwood on
Turtle island, and Kate fingered be-
side It with Fallows after the others
/ had gone up to one OF Maud's chatting
dish surprises. He had grown almost
human, Maud said, had come to see
them every day and sometimes twice.
and Kate's dark eyes held a new look
these days.
WAS such bear that first night?"
he asked.
"Goldenhair should expect a bear
when she comes unannounced," she
answered. Only haven't golden
hair
Il love brown hair" he said dream
lily. Gypsy hair"
THE other was blonde, remember"
She lifted her face teasingly. yet half
in earnest, and Fallows took his
chance.
1T belonged to my little niece. Betty
FaIiows. Oh. and you have held that
against me-Kate, Kate"
Maud came to the door in the glow
| of light and called:
Aren't you two ever coming up?
! It's all ready"
Kate he urged, you do care,
don't your"
Kate laughed softly.