The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-22
ROMANCE OF 4 VEIL
by JOHN PHILIP ORTIZ.

Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa- |
per Syndicate)
John Gray's office window over. |
looked Fifth avenue, and on this par |
ticular October day the window was
wide open to the crisp autumn breeze.
Life Ia dull enough, goodness
knows" complained John, leaning ,
back in his chair and elevating his
heels to his desk.
And at this critical moment ro-
nance entered his ONCE in the most
unexpected manner.
There noated through the window.
borne on the fresh breeze. something
soft and filmy and white like bit of
pure cloud drifting down from the sky.
He did not see It, his eyes were
closed in dreamy retrospection. and It
was not until the wisp of white drifted
across his lips and chung there that he
sat up with q start
"Jove! What 10 that?" he de-
manded, plucking the thing from his
face.
He looked at It and recognized it
% some dainty accessory to q ladys
toilet. A delicious fragrance assailed
his senses-a mingled odor Of fresh
violets and roses
| "Oh, bother!" he snapped as he
clumsily tried to remove the delicate
tissue. Then he saw initials embroid-
cred on the delicate hem.
"E. v. E."
John Gray laughed aloud as he
folded up the veil and tucked 1t away
in the breast pocket Of his coat.
Il wonder who E. v. E. can be?'
he chuckled. Eve - by all that's
wonderful! How shall ever find this
unknown Ever"
He was still bordering this ques-
ton while he waited for an uptown
bus; it was tempting evening to ride
home on the roof of a motor bus.
One came along just then and he
found a vacant seat beside a distract
ingly pretty girl.
John Gray caught one fleeting
glimpse of her profile. for her face
was upturned to the windows Of the
building where his office was located.
The girl faced about and John could
not look at her without positive rude
ness, so he stared straight ahead. All
at once ne became conscious that the
air was fragrant with that odor OF
mingled roses and violets. Could 1t
be from that veil in his pocket?
He furtively thrust gloved hand
IN the pocket and, finding the veil in
tact, withdrew his hand and quite un'
consciously the veil came with 1t.
"Oh!" cried . voice at his elbow.
John looked down at her In polite
inquiry.
my veil!" she explained hastily
, pointink to II.
"Yours?" repeated John incredulous
, ~ and his Tigers frightened their grasI
on the chifIo-. 'Tmpossible!"
But It Isl" she insisted gently
"See, there are my initials. An houl
or two ago I was riding down the ave
nue. on the top Of a bus when gus
Of wind took the veil from my hat ant
swirled It up. It disappeared through
|. an once window am sure 1t II
mine"
II am afraid It u.s." said John Ora.
|. reluctantly giving It to her II though
It was a cloud from heaven itself whel
It drifted into my ONCE: am not 81
sure that It isn't" he added to him
self. for the look in the girls eyes wa
most disconcerting
: To John Gray's satisfaction the myi
terious IF. v. E." did not leave tn
bus until 1t stopped at his signal. The
with little nod, enhanced by a rose
; tinged smile. the girl tripped past hir
I and down the steps to the street.
!. When ne reached the apartment
house where he had a suite of room
q in his sisters home. he was amaze
. to find that the girl had preceded hin
!. She flushed with annoyance an
l. when he made for apartment B sh
stopped short and glanced haughtily O
him.
!, This IL too much, sir!" she said.
John paused with bis latchkey
hand.
"But-you see. I live here" he sal
helplessly.
1T 10 too-absurd to be true!" Oh
protested. looking a. II she would CT!
s Really" John was beginning whe
: the door Of the apartment opened an
! his sister, dressed for the street, a
.. peared.
II John, John, you home 20 soon
y cried Mrs. Remer; and catching sigf
Of the girl. John. let me present 20
: to my old olassmate. Edith Emmon
!. Have you ever met before?" Oh
= asked, struck BY their embarrassment
"Why-er-yes," said John hastil.
= and Miss Emmons flushed deeper IN
dimple came into her cheek.
!. We are going to Throcton's to te'
= John: VIII you comet" asked his d
y ter.
T. John looked at =. v. T. and h
eyes said. do GOMEZ" 20 he went, IN
Y before they returned homo he leaTne
= that her initials stood for Ddit
. Valerie Emmons, but he said that
. thought I'VE was much the prettis
u name. And he considered It perfe'
when later on he persuaded her
:. add Gray to II.
Q Badge Of Sanity.
sr Tho badge Of sanity is the ability
e cooperate with other people; and Il
Ut more people you can work with. an
" for. the bigger and better you are
~ W. hs~o u~~~oA thro, ~ xh~ now