The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-02
DOrOthy's
Guardian
She Wanted Him All
to Herself.
By CLARISSA MACKIE

10000 100000 900 OOOOOOOO
When Dick Merwin graduated from
college his classmates predicted that
he would take high rank among men
in the worlds battles. While he was
delivering his commencement Grafton
there was one person in the audience
who listened to his youthful effort
without thinking or caring for its mer-
it. She was wrapped in the speaker
himself
From the moment he made his APP
pearance on the platform this young
woman appeared as though she were
under a spell, fascinated by the very
presence of the man, from whom her
eyes never wandered
Linda Barton. an undergraduate of
the woman's college of the same uni
versity, had met him, and there was
something in that pair of gray eyes
seemed to penetrate her very soul
From the moment of her meeting him
she worshiped him.
On the evening of commencement
day the president held his usual re
ceptiOn for the graduating class. Lin
da, whose tastes ran to music, was in
vited to add to the eclat of the occa-
sion by the performance Of a selection
on the piano. She chose her piece
from Beethovens sonatas and while
playing received rapt attention. On
rising from her instrument she looked
into the face of Merwin.
The campus was illuminated, and IA
throng passed from the presidents resi-
dence out among the elms, some of
which had been planted century be-
fore. There on a bench in secluded
spot Merwin told his companion his
story, story which she listened to
with delight.
But the course of true love did not
run smooth. Merwin went from the
university to the law school, and it
was Il year before Linda was gradual
ed A miSdirected letter is quite enough
between youthful lovers to change the
current of two lives. Whatever was
the cause, Linda never told, but there
came break. Neither married. Mer.
win became a prominent lawyer, and
in time Linda, finding 1t necessary to
earn her own living, availed herself
of her taste for music to do SO. A re-
firing disposition untitled her for a
public life, and she became teacher
in young ladies' seminary.
hn hol
that commencement night, when they
were in the first freshness of youth,
lived In the hearts of both. Merwin
became one of the legislators of the
nation; Linda subsidized into quiet
maiden lady teaching the next genera
ton to play the piano.
Five eager, glowing faces were bent
over the large photograph In Dorothy
Blake's hands.
isn't he perfect dear2' cooed Dor
othy ecstatically.
$50 distinguished with that touch of
gray at the temples" sighed Maud
Benning.
Such fine eyes! Are they gray, Dol.
ly?" asked Eva Temple.
"Mm-m-m-mw murmured Dorothy
reminiscently. But you must remem-
Der, girls, that haven't seen my
guardian since was twelve, that is six
years ago, and at that time l wasn't
the least bit interested In the color of
any ones eyes"
Sweet child" leased Susan Mari.
80 you are interested now In this
guardian who looks like an actor?"
Dear, I'm in love with him!" gushed
Dorothy.
80 are we all of u.s. lamented Amy
Smith, with rueful smile. How old
Is he, Dolly2"
"Old as the hills. He must be nearly
fifty; forty anyway"
"Methinks I've seen that face be.
fore" murmured Maud.
Perhaps! Richard Merwin is very
prominent man. United States sena.
tor"
mo, no." insisted Maud seriously
Listen, girls; l believe l have 1t. Do
you remember once when Miss Barton
was i'll she sent me to her trunk to get
box of papers? Well, the box was
old, and as l carried it to her bedside
the pasteboard cover slipped off and
some letters and papers fell on the
floor
II gathered them up, and among
them was n mans picture. l scarcely
glanced at it, yet 1t remained wildly in
my memory. Girls. 1t was Senator
Merwin's picture"
"Dolly's GUARDIAN" they questioned
incredulously.
Maud nodded. II am positive. She
acted quite embarrassed and slipped it
under the pillow. Isn't it odd?"
Perhaps they were sweethearts once
upon a time" suggested Amy.
"Pooh!" said Dorothy coolly. I'm go
ing to marry him myself, so there!"
''Small chance for poor Miss Bar
toni"
when is he coming, DollyT"
~ don't know. I'm expecting letter
every day. l asked him to come to
our dance,