The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-12
An Unfinished
Song
Dr. JEROME sPRAsUE
Copyright, IstI. b. A,,oci,,.d NJ

Copyright. 1871. By Associated Lit.r.r, 20.
The man leaning over the deck rail- |
caught the echo Of a thrilling hurst
OF melody. He looked about him 10
discover the source. Not a soul was
In sight. The deck chairs were de-
serted.
Again there came the thrilling notes
and Granger. following the sound.
came upon girl wrapped in a steam.
er rug.
II was wild song, and 1t stopped az
ne came up TO her. The steamer rug
In which she was wrapped was red
The girl was dark little thing with
scarlet lips and cheeks and with
brown curls blown into a tangle by
the beating wind. She smiled at
Granger. There seemed nothing un.
conventional in such a greeting The
girl laughed up into Changers face.
Isn't 1t fine?" she said
He stammered reply. He was not
q man of many words All his life
he had worked hard, and had little
time for pleasure and none for fiirta-
ton. Woman nature was to him an
undiscovered country. Yet his heart
leaped, as this girl said to him in her
musical voice, Isn't 1t fine?"
He wished that he might reply cas-
lily, but he only blushed and went on
Some instinct made him turn, how.
ever, to see the girl struggling to
keep her balance. The heavy sweep
OF the wind, and the slant of the deck
was too much for her, and, before he
could reach her, she fell He picked
her up to find her laughing. DO yot
still think II is fne?" he managed Il
say.
It's great" was her response. "Th,
wilder 1t is the more | love it"
His spirit seemed to exalt with hers
In all his life he had never know
such a sense Of triumphant freedom
n as he now experienced The work-a
day-world seemed miles away.
we had better go in, he gasped
but she said No"
II hate it in that stuffy cabin" wa
!, her explanation when she could max
herself heard Did you hear m
singing" was her further question !
another intermission
Yes, what was it,
THE wild hawk to the wind sweI
sky,
j The deer to the lonesome void,
she crooned.
go on" he said breathlessly.
But now the storm was upon the
~ in full force.
Within the cabin, unfolded from Il
Il rug she showed herself slim ere
ture In a blue serge gown. Bat
again in conventional surroundini
Granger once more lost his tongu
He bowed and left her. That night
dinner she was next to him at q
table. Il asked for this seat, s
said frankly. You saved me fro
the storm-perhaps you may save
-" she stopped and as he looked doN
al neT III bul plipV'
'If th.re is anything | can do,
Ig. said You must let me know
she was laughing again, gay and
diant.
That night, as he stood late alone
deck watching the moon noat throu
the ragged clouds, she came TO MIN
pale and trembling.
n perhaps | am all wrong. she sa
80 csk YOU. but somehow feel u
YOU can be trusted. VIII you k'
these for me?" She put into his hs
a little box. "They are my pear
gto whispered, "heirlooms in our II
;,y NV cousin who is with me thll
they should have been given 10
She has told the captain that
IN and not responsible, so II l
them TO him he will take them D
+, her. But | am perfectly well
they are mine
Granger was q practical man
husiness ''Ill keep them,' he
promptly, and give them to you
before we leave the boat.
ery THANK YOU" she said, and lett
hty He was glad that she had furnis
nav him a reason for intimacy. Al
lao breakfast table the next morning
- o,cbad the cousin and found ne
pen cold sort of person
rsa ua resolved TO watch over her,
I.nt .ha. afternoon he had his chance
rom heard a controversy between the
cor. as they sat in their steamer cnaii
+ cir what have you done with the
ICED asked the cousin. -.
on. Rut his little friend would not
,ong wait till we get to New YORK
AZ. .a;d You haven't any right to u
lery Grandmother was in her cottage
lied she left them to you Iney Oe'oH
In me, Helen. u,.,,s
&c. voen the deck and light up as
Pail rested on him, Then she huue nc
aance at her cousin. i Woula I'd
a,ng them into the sea- she
than to let you have them
Granger strolled over to the
,ung WIN you walk with me- ne
stor' the girl,
with yes" she said eagerly.
Ings, who is this-gentlemah tue
,ock, in asked icily. .
did Granger took ont his ea.o'
the will serve to introduce me-
and, The Captain knows me anu
devil vou can find several QUEER p. ~
have hoard who will TURNS" al "
tan dentials necessary. ..o
no; After that Helen anu n ;" r.,
uble, together. All the !ou'n .nua =
hind woke in response 10 He onnaoro
whis- one morning GRANGE RI =
fitR -. bor with drawn Nv"