The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-13
HIS MYSTERIOUS way
ANONYMOUS.

of the corners Of his eyes, a stealthy
tread, voice SO low that at times it
sunk almost to a whisper. He very
seldom addressed himself to the gen.
eral company at the boarding house,
but conversed in some chosen ear in
an undertone.
The morning after he arrived at
Mrs. Grandine's boarding house he
made a pretense of eating long after
his appetite was satisfied-or it
seemed that he did so-in order to get
an opportunity to speak to Mrs. Gran
dine alone. Then he approached her
with mysterious air that fluttered
the good woman considerably. Mrs.
Grandma" he murmured, with a sus-
picious side glance at Hilda, who was
removing the dishes.
What is it, Mr.. Effelrode?" asked
Mrs. Grandine, anxiously.
Il directed that my mail be sent to
me at this address," breathed Effel-
rode. Gould you tell me II any has
been received?"
Those were his actual words. In ef-
feet he said: There exists a power
full conspiracy to prevent my mail
from reaching me. II anyone should
suspect that it is likely to come here
the most dreadful consequences might
ensue Please observe the strictest
secrecy in regard to the matter
Mrs. Grandine, much agitated, said
she would inquire. She found that no
mail had arrived for her ledger and
came back to tell him so with nerv-
GUS anticipation of some further dis
closure. But Effelrode only thanked
her and glided away. 1t was just his
manner.
The boarders all got used to him in
time. They discovered that there was
really no mystery about him. He had
been manager for a branch Of Chi
cago paint firm in a good-sized Illinois
town and his firm had called him to
the city to become superintendent of
brother and a married sister in New
Hampshire, was Independent in his
politics, member of the Episcopalian
church and had taste for music. One
could hardly wish to know more of a
man.
Still. that manner of his always
seemed to crate on Mrs. Callonby.
She was a widow-a very attractive
one, too. She was of lively dispo-
sition and outspoken-somewhe
about thirty, probably. Electrodes
place at table was next to her and
she naturally came in for most Of his
confidential asides. Only she declined
to treat them as confidential. It was
little more than q week before she
began publicly to divulge the nature
of his whispered communications.
"Oh, you needn't giggle," she said
one day to the Starker girls. across
the table. 1T wasn't anything of
tender nature. Mr.. Effelrode has just
been telling me that he likes the bis
cult and gravy that Mrs. Grandine
gives us with our chicken. There's
! really no secret about it,
Effelrode colored little and looked
embarrassed.
Don't blush, Mr.. Effelrode," said
the widow. ITS nothing you really
need be ashamed of. l don't mind
Mrs. Grandine's knowing that | like
them myself. Thank you, just one"
That discouraged Effelrode for
time, but before the meal was over he
again murmured something in the wild
ow's ear. She replied in clear, pene-
trating tones. Thereupon Effelrode
looked offended.
Il don't care" said the widow when
someone demonstrated with her later
on. 1T may be his way. but l don't
like it. 1t makes one look ridiculous.
l think it time that someone took hin
in hand. I'll do it II nobody else will"
Effelrode did not give her a chance
for some days, but she smiled on him
and he forgave her. Nevertheless
she persisted in announcing to all and
, sundry the substance of his remarks
/ when they were addressed to her in
a voice below the ordinary converse
tional pitch. 1t certainly had an eff
feet on Effelrode He began to speak
up, as Mrs. Callonby said approvingly.
! like little man, though he had his
relapses.
. One evening when he seemed near
ly cured he came into the paror,
where Mrs. Callonby happened to be
sitting apart from the rest. took seat
beside the lady and with his old fur
tive look around the room said some
thing to her.
Yes, it is rather warm in this room
tonight" called Mrs. Callonby in an
explanatory way.
Effelrode rose Immediately and
strobe over to the elder Starker girl
He did not speak to Mrs Callonby for
ed his whispering offense. or rather
was about to do so.
oh, speak OUT" said the indomit.
able widow.
Shall -" asked Effelrode, quite de.
| family. Il meant to tell you first
but if you insist"
All in i moment Mrs. Callonby
seemed to lose her customary self-pos-
/ session. She arose. oh. well, if it's
a real secret this time" she said, and.
taking his arm, walked over to the
piano-where the lights were not
burning. There she stopped What is
| it?'' she asked.
Il want to ask you to marry me"
said Effelrode, but | didn't like to