The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-15
ROMANCE OF A VEIL
sy JOHN PHILIP ORTIZ.

Copyright, 1915, BY the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicateJ
John Gray'S once window over.
looked Fifth avenue, and ON this par
ticular October day the window was
wide open to the crisp autumn breeze.
Life IL 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 floated 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 1t, his eyes were
closed In dreamy retrospection, and 1t
was not until the wisp of white drifted
across his lips and chung there that ne
sat up with start
"Jove! What is that?" he de-
manded, plucking the thing from his
face.
He looked at It and recognized it
as some dainty accessory to lady's
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 it away
in the breast pocket of his coat.
II wonder who e. w. 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 a tempting evening to ride
home on the roof of motor bus.
One came along just then and he
found vacant seat beside 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 ONCE 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 he 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 q gloved hand
in the pocket and. finding the veil In
tact. withdrew his hand and quite un-
consciously the veil came with It,
"Oh!" cried voice at HIS elbow.
John looked down at her In polite
inquiry.
my veil!" she explained hastily.
pointing to 1t.
"Yours!" repeated John incredulous-
ly and his Lngers frightened their grasp
on the chiffo:. Impossible"
But It Isl" she insisted gently.
See: there are my initials An hour
or two ago ! was riding down the ave
nue. on the top of a bus when gust
Of wind took the veil from my hat and
swirled 1t up, It disappeared through
an Office window am sure 1t is
NINE"
Il am afraid It is" said John Gray
reluctantly giving It to her II thought
1t was a cloud from heaven itself when
1t drifted into my office; I am not sc
sure that it isn't" he added to him
self, for the look in the girls eyes was
most disconcerting
To John Grays satisfaction the mys
terious "E v E." did not leave the
bus until it stopped at his signal. Then
with little nod. enhanced by a rose
tinged smile. the girl tripped past him
and down the steps to the street.
! When ne reached the apartment
house where he had suite Of rooms
in his sisters home, he was amazed
to find that the girl had preceded him
She flushed with annoyance ant
when he made for apartment B she
} stopped short and glanced haughtily q
him.
This is too much, sir!" she said.
John paused with his latchkey II
hand.
"But-you see, live here" he SAFE
helplessly.
/ 1T Is too-absurd to be true!" sh'
protested. looking as II she would cry
Really" John was beginning wheI
the door of the apartment opened an,
his sister, dressed for the street, ap
peared.
81 "John, John, you home so soon :?
cried Mrs. Remer: and catching sigh
OF the girl. John, let me present yo'
to my old classmate, Edith Emmons
! Have you ever met before?" sh
asked, struck by their embarrassment
"Why-er-yes." said John hastily
and Miss Emmons blushed deeper an
. dimple came into her cheek
I'VE are going to Throcton's to tes
John; will you Gomez asked his ST.
1 ter
81 John looked at r. v. r and he
:. eyes said. do GOMEZ" so he went. an
: before they returned home he learne
that her initials stood for Edit
Valerie Emmons, but he said that