The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-07

Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
The girls, six OF them, looked eau
tiously up and down the squalid
little street before venturing forth.
The house they were leaving bore on
door plate the portentious words,
Mime. Cecile. Psychologist Your Flu
ture Foretold."
Wasn't it a lark" cried Catherine
Barr. I'm terribly anxious to know
who the light-haired Adonis is I am
to meet this summer, and, Peggy,
wasn't 1t wonderful what she told you
about the pin you got for Easter, and
how you'd lose 1t and have 1t returned
by your future husband?"
yes" shivered Peggy. 81 can't
get over 1t. While she was describing
1t felt as though her eyes were look
ing clear through me. You see,
have 1t on, pinned to my waist
The crowd separated.
Come along with me, Lois" begged
Peggy. 81 have to stop in Tukif's to
see about brass candlestick for
mother"
Il can't today, deari I've got to
dress and go to Graystone's to tea"
Tukifs seemed to be deserted, but
finally an old man appeared, and after
Peggy stated her errand, he retreat
ed into the mysterious region in the
rear of the store from which he had
emerged.
Peggy, still feeling uncanny from
her recent experience, had a sensa-
ton of unreality among the as
semblage of ancient and oriental Gu
rios. She came to an old mirror and
stopped, regarding herself intently.
you big goose!" she said to the re-
Election in the glass, ito believe in
such nonsense as that old faker told
you! Take long walk before you
go home, and get it all out of your
system"
She drew the pins out of her sailor
hat and started to gather in some of
the stray wisps of hair.
The street door opened and man
came in. Looking around hurriedly
for a salesman, he saw nobody at first,
then, spying girl in a recess pat
ting her hair, he gave a curt order:
please tell Mr.. Tukif to deliver the
lamp l ordered to this address," He
held out a card and Peggy took It
impassively. or course he thought
her saleswoman, but what difference
did 1t make.
The customer turned to leave, but
he hesitated, and looked deep into the
serious blue eyes. The eyes returned
the look calmly and coolly.
There was no excuse for staying,
SO he went, but, passing the chair in
which Peggy had been sitting, he
stopped and picked up something.
Peggy looked at the card and read:
mr.. Cyrus Harding-Riverside drive"
The old man returned Just then.
Peggy delivered the card and mes
sage, completed the business upon
which she had come and left the store.
Outside, she slipped her hand under
her jacket to reassure herself that her
new diamond pin was safe. But to
her dismay 1t was gone.
Then 1t popped into her head that
the customer who gave her the mes
sage had picked something up and
put 1t into his pocket.
She hurried out and called a taxi.
At the Riverside drive house, JAP
anese servant answered her ring. Mr..
Harding had just returned.
She was ushered into sitting room,
a wonderful combination of black, old
gold and blue.
And then Mr.. Harding pulled aside
a portiere and stepped into the room.
He recognized her instantly, but II
he was surprised he gave no sign.
How do you do?" he said courte-
ously-interrogatively, for her visit
puzzled him.
Good afternoon" choked Peggy.
Twelve come for the pin you
found" with little deprecating GEES
ture.
"Pin?"
Eyes. The pin you picked up in
the shop"
He frowned. Il don't seem to UNI
derstand. didn't find a pin"
But you picked up something. |
Don't you remember-right in front of |
that teakwood chairl" earnestly. |
Yes, see now. But didn't know
you wanted 1t so much or l should |
have returned it. really didn't think |
1t SO very valuable and-I wanted 1t. |
No matter whyi / didn't know what |
you meant when you spoke of a pin. |
I would have given 1t another name.
Here II isl"
His hand went into his pocket and |
he held out tiny tortoise shell comb,
the mate Of one in her hair.
Peggy flushed furiously.
as that what you found?"
Yes. Isn't 1t what you came for?"
mol You sell lost a pin, a
diamond pin today. | don't work in
the store. You made a mistake.
was in seeing about a candlestick. and
] lost my pin. Then | remembered |
seeing you find something, and re-
calling your address. l came right
away. am very sorry and beg your
pardon. Good afternoon"
But" he intercepted hastily. I'D
like to help you find your pin! You're
sure it's gonel"
Why, yesi / think | am" running
an investigating hand over her waist.
Then something dropped to the rug,
and Cyrus Harding picked it up
The pin" cried Peggy with delight.
What a goose I've been"