The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-11-16

|
Libby.
'Humph. If was girl | wouldn't
be putting on any airs about being
man hater. not when there was such
a fine young man as Joe. Good even
ing. Molly. We were just wondering
when you were going to settle down
and get married." said Mrs. Bunce as
Molly paused before them.
Molly wrinkled her pretty nose
You know | am going to become a
dear, delightful little spinster like Su-
san Libby" she protested. dropping a
light kiss on the offended Susan's ear
Dear delightful little sauce boxr
snapped Susan as Molly darted away.
Joe Morton came along, humming a
tune under his breath He smiled in
his large, friendly way upon the two
good gossips
Mrs. Bunce put out freckled hand.
"Joe," she said. with heavy humor.
"Susan and | are wondering when
you're going to get married and settle
down in that new house you built last
spring"
$50 am H. was Joes noncommittal
reply. and his dazzling smile took the
| sting from his answer. He moved
away, still smiling and his eyes dream
lily fixed on Molly Dtson's white clad
form in the distance.
THAT'S right; follow the butterfly"
muttered Mrs Bunce darkly.
While the older people discussed
neighborhood affairs youth was max
ing merry in the rambling old place.
In the kitchen some were bobbing for
apples. while others tested fate with
melted lead or roasting chestnuts.
Joe Morton followed the lead Of his
friends and entered into all the games
with an amusing gravity. When his
dark head emerged dripping with water
from tub there was a great red apple
held in his strong white teeth.
"Joe always gets what he goes aft
err" said Oliver Bunce approvingly.
Joe Morton heard the words, frown-
ed for an instant, then, shaking the
drops from his head, smiled grimly.
IF that IS the case" he muttered.
II might as well so and get what |
want now. This halloween tomfool-
cry isn't necessary"
He picked up Il towel from the snowy
pile Hannah Mix had provided. dried
his hair and face and went out of the
kitchen into the back porch.
He had noticed that Molly went out
that way.
In the midst of the revelry Molly
suddenly remembered the milk she
had promised the gypsy.
81 shall be so sleepy in the morning
| can never get up in time" she
thought suppose | slip out to the
} milk house now and take it to the path.
| can be back in time for the mirror
| tricks. It's only a quarter to IL now
! So Molly disappeared from the kitch-
) en- and tripped down the winding path
) that led through the kitchen garden
: to the milk house. The moon was shin
ing brightly. and the pumpkins were
glistcning with frost. The little stream
r murmured its way among the stones.
The moon shone directly through the
/, uncurtained window of the little stone
( foored room. and the glistening pals
: and pans gave back subdued re6ec
, tons.
, Molly reached for pail and dislodg-
ed great new milk pan. 1t fell into
her outstretched hands, and its shining
surface reflected her charming face.
: At that very moment church clock
in the village struck the hour of mid
night, the magic hour Of the entire
year for all believers in charms And
who is young that does not believe!
And In that witching instant Il
shadow stole across the milk pan mir
ror, and Molly noted with freezing
blood that another face was reflected
beside her own. A warm breath min
gled with hers; there was the not IN
pleasant fragrance Of tobacco: a pair
Of strong arms encircled her shoulders
and two hands clasped hers so that
the pan fell Gathering to the ground
Molly stared down at the hands
They were strong and brown and well
shaped, and on the little finger of one
hand cleaned small gold ring on
which was tiny left hand-extended
as If to clasp another.
And the other ring and tiny hand
was on Mollys engagement finger.
What about the gypsy's prophecy and
the gypsy's charm?
"Oh-h-h"' breathed Molly suddenly.
Molly. darIingr' murmured Joe Nor
tons voice.
Joe" she cried family. and 1t Is
significant that she did not withdraw
from his embrace. Where did You
get-thatE"
She touched the little ring on his
hand
Then he saw the one on her finger
and marvclcd
THE gyisy woman gave it to me-"
be admitted. ~ gave her a little sill
yer for the kid, it looked so sick, and
she-er-said my future wife would
wear the mate to it and is-she Mol
Iy!"
Il am sure she is, .Ioer'
And Molly, the man hater. nodded
shyly.
So Joe, still reaching long arms
through the window of the milk house.
drew the ring from his finger and