The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-22

Uncle Toms Cabin" The visiting
troupe carried their own scenery and
had their own property man. SO Ca
briel simply supplied helpers in set
ting the scenes and the like and had
leisure.
At Just nine o'clock stranger, the
attendant from the children's home,
came behind the scene leading a wan
faced, big-eyed little fellow by the
hand Gabriel had provided an easy
chair at quiet part of the stage. The
attendant placed little Humphrey in
this and departed with the words:
Back at noon, sharp
Gabriel Dyke drew a deep breath
and gazed with tremulous, fearful
longing at the little mite before him.
The child was peering anxiously all
about him. AS his glance fell to the
face of Humphrey those marvellous
eyes expanded, he put out a yearn-
ing hand and seraphic smile crossed
his face.
why" he cried joyfully, you are
my father!"
What. WHAT" gasped Gabriel, lost
in overpowering wonderment.
Aren't you?" went on little Humph.
rey. why, I knew you at once, for
pray for you every night, just
as dear mamma told me to, and be-
! sides, haven't l your picture-see"
and the child drew forth a locket. It
held the picture of husband and wife,
taken many years before.
A yelling sense of hope and Joy
thrilled Gabriel. 1t seemed as though
some plying angel had come with gen.
swayed as in some rapt vision as the
little one prattled on. He learned
how faithful the mother had been in
caring for him, trusted of necessity,
but tenderly, to the charge of others.
The new dramatic troupe went on
with it's rehearsal. Little Humphrey.
exhausted with excitement and ia
tigue, fell into gentle slumber. Ga.
briel did not disturb him, but sat
devouring with love and longing the
| sweet cherubic face.
Gabriel paid little attention to the
| actors and the scenes about him. The
| grand transformation scene of Uncle
| Toms Cabin was just finishing when
the child awoke. Humphrey rubbed
| his eyes and stared in ecstasy at the
wonderful picture that had always
dazzled youthful eyes
Mammal" he suddenly screamed,
and put out his arms. oh, you said
that some day among the angels we
should meet dear papa again. 1t is true
it is true."
Was the child in delrium? Gabriel
started up, alarmed. Then he saw,
stepping down from her place as
an angel in the transformation
scene, a woman fastening toward
Humphrey-indeed, his mother!
How did you come here" she
cried, Unfolding the child in glad
embrace and then with a wild start
she recognized her husband.
My soul was hungering to see
him!" cried Gabriel incoherently-
las it has been for you, these lone
ly years." and Gabriel stumblingly
explained, and the little one Struggled
up close to both of them.
And both were in tears, contrite
glad of tho reunion, happy to revive
the old love that had glorified their
lives.
"Oh, mammal" cried little Humph
rey, its come Just as you said il
would-the beautiful gold suns, and
the angels! You said we would meet
dear papa there, some day. Is II
heaven?'
Myra Dyke fell into her husband
outstretched arms, subdued, contrite
like a weary bird Of passage into the
home nest.
1T is, indeed, heaven'" murmured
Gabriel Dyke, reverently, and with q
soul filled with new-found happiness