The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-20

1t this juncture and the sentence was
mover completed.
It's just too wonderful" sighed
Jane. Il seem to be living In q
dream. Il 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, l can't I'M
derstand why anybody should desire
such an enormous mansion"
Very likely he means to announce
bis engagement" observed Miss Day.
holding . 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.
''ls there anything can do for eth
er Of your" she asked.
That was brutal Of you!" exclaim-
ed Miss Mason, severely.
1T was rather raw to say that and
could bite out my tongue now"
answered Miss Day. regretfully. ITS
like Jane. too. to forgive a person
The second after a nasty dig and Of
fer to do something for her. l never
dreamed that she cared about him.
Looks ~ though she does"
Miss Mason nodded slowly I'm
that case suppose It's better that
the house will be finished so soon."
she said moodily.
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, /. for one. am
sorry that she ever got it."
Here tool" replied Miss Day. "One
can easily see how she avoids dis
cussing the house or Mr.. Lord, and
that's not natural when a task has
been we'll and speedily accomplished
One evening Mr.. Lord brought Jane
home In his motor as the slush was
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
lshed. you must all come out to a eel
ebratiOn dinner. Now don't forget.
I'm keeping big surprise for that
event! Isn't that SO, Miss Carter?"
ne asked, smiling systematically.
The second he was gone. Jane hur-
ried on to her ROOM
Il know what the surprise is" an
aounced Miss Mason. HE has fixed
up this house for his wife, and per-
naps told Jane this evening coming
INTO town"
i don't know what ever | would
10 II he were to announce It that
hight" groaned Miss Day.
At last the house was completed.
Mr.. Lord called for the trio in his ,
motor, but scarcely a word was spok-
IN on the way out. The tour through |
he fresh, beautiful rooms filled the
girls with sadness. Jane was unus-
tally quiet, and even the lavish praise
upon her failed to lift the /
,eil Of quiet which seemed to envelop
Ter. She presided at the dinner table
a an equally silent mood.
At last Mr.. Lord stood up, a glass
Il light wine in his hand.
Nov for the surprised" he cried. /
'ayly we must drink to the future
Mistress of this housed"
Miss Mason and Miss Day choked
Town sip Of the wine and dared
lot look toward poor Jane. There
vas an awkward pause.
Wont you give me your good
wishes. girls?' asked Jane. in a wee,
mall voice. you don't know how
many times have nearly let the cat
ut Of the bag these last few weeks.
The only safe course was not to talk
t ALL"
Then the astonished girls saw Mr.
ord put his arm around James waist
nd draw her towards him.
'Ladies-nOw drink 1t this time
o the future mistress of this house,"
. exclaimed joyfully.