The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-06
N THE TWILIGHT
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Dusky twilight was creeping slowly
down among the little shops that
comprise the life Of lower Granton
street. Soft shadows flung their
slanting gloom Unfortunately over
prosperity and poverty alike. So i'm
partial was the distribution Of shadow
! that the passerby in the little shop
ping district might not distinguish
success from failure.
Patrick Malone, In his small butcher
shop, knew, however, that he was
one Of the happy and prosperous
dealers. Even in the gathering twi'
light Patrick looked with pride on
the beef and mutton that were al
ready displayed to lure the Satur.
day night shoppers.
But only two doors up the street
another shop accepted the coming OF
darkness as II 1t were the final
shadow in a world of gloom. Behind
the counter Nora Gaines sent swift
glance OF apprehension at her young.
er sister.
I'VE have failed" she said dis.
mally. III we don't do a miraculous
trade tonight we must close up the
doors our father opened. 1t would
break his HEARTH he we're hereto
see the little business he worked up
slipping away into bankruptcy"
"You were not intended for bust
ness. as father was." the younger
sister said with more of the brogue
in her voice than Nora. Anyway,
I'll be lighting the shop before the
shadows grow deeper in your eyes"
Nora smiled as she watched Anne
struggling to reach the lamp that
hung from the ceiling. Then she
glanced at the now dark streets.
Its strange how late every one is
in lighting up tonight" she com.
mented.
But it was not in the least strange
to one who realized the frantic con.
dition that prevailed in the little
shopping district. The small traders
were in a state bordering on panic,
for the electric current had been dis.
connected.
Patrick Malone did not possess so
much as a candle with which to lure
hungry mortals into his shop. Sud.
denly Patrick's eyes were riveted on
the window of the rival butcher across
the street. In the dim light Of q
single candle the man was filling a
half dozen newly purchased lamps.
Suddenly he remembered the small
shop that he had called a junk shop,
and a second later he stood outside
the store in which Nora Gaines and
her sister attempted to wait upon a
dozen clamoring customers at once.
1T must have been fathers spirit
that tempered with that electric cur.
rent" Anne found time to whisper
hurriedly into Nora's ear while she
tied up the last lamp in the store
and turned out the last quart of oil
for customer.
Nora sent a swift smile into
Anne's eyes, then found herself gaz.
ing into the anxious face of Patrick
Malone. -.
u haven't single lamp left she
answered In voice of regret to his
quick inquiry. I'VE have plenty OF
candles--if they will do"
Patrick decided swiftly. because
two customers were demanding illu.
mination of any kind.
Sure they WILL" he said, land If
you have candlesticks, give me a
couple Of Dozen"
Back in the butcher shop. he
lighted single candle and found
that he knew no more about the
patent holders he had purchased than
he did about dressmaking. So he
rushed back to Nora Gaines for In.
structions.
I'm SO sorry." she said swiftly.
Il thought you knew how to fill the
holders. She glanced at Anne. "Can
you take charge of the customers for
few minutes? will run over and
help Mr.. Malone with the lighting.
up process-he is in difficulties"
Patrick watched Nora as she stood
In the glow of one candle and then on
to the next until his small shop looked
like Christmas tree. and deep in his
mind was the conviction that an angel
herself was Nora.
And I'll not tell you right of
what lighting-up time has brought
me-" he said with . soft light In his
blue eyes.
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa.
per Syndicate)