The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-14

mood. She had never thought Of him
as sweetheart-for one reason other
young fellows had not given her time.
Being an heiress, with a wide and
wise family connection, if she married
the wrong man it would certainly be
IN the face of light and leading.
She had liked several suitors well
enough to consider them, but it had
never gone further At twenty-five
her heart was still virgin, more truly
virgin indeed than that of poor
sklmped and thwarted Elise, who had
bestowed her affections silently upon
this or that manikin, OF whom she
knew no more than the outside, but
whom she had turned into hero,
knight or demi-god with the drapery
OF girls fervid fancy.
She forget them-forget they had
ever been, the minute she had looked
up and found George regarding her
with whimsical intentness.
DO they know you have run
away?" he asked. Those elders? II
they come to take you back home, you
shall climb into my pocket and stay
snug till they go. We can't spare
you"
She was indeed wistfully childish,
withal full OF Mountaineering for life
| and love. Her mouth set hard when.
ever she thought of going back to the
drab home life at the end OF this
| marvellous fortnight. She would not
do it-she could not. There must be
way out At first she dared not
think of Georgy as the way out, but
OF late he haunted her, awake OF
! sleeping-her king, her hero, her de
| liverer.
This Peggy read as in lightning
flash. when she felt the tremor OF
Elise's slim fingers as Georgy, com
ing behind them, spoke, pretending te
| rebuke them for keeping the stage
waiting
Elise was humming over the dance
music-a plantation air she hat
caught from her nurse, and twisted
into something rather wonderful. Miss
! Ball had a fine ear-she caught l
! quickly-still that took a minute o.
so. Moreover Elise did not mean tt
dance in view until the music was il
full swing
Singing, her voice high and sweet
and thin, she swayed out on thu
stage, bowed right and left, then lift
| in
their heads, she guided Peggy through
a performance truly marvellous. Or
down, back, FORTH with intricat
swings and side steps, and wonderful
small shuiiles, the two of then
swept the stage, the audience ar
plauding madly.
Decidedly the Pompadour Sister
We're the hit OF the evening. Pegg
smiled happily, thinking in what re
quest Elise was likely to find herself
She looked half angel, half nympf
her face deeply flushed, her silky hal
beautifully disordered Peggy kneN
she herself was showing scarle
through the yelling made up-she ha
subdued her color with grease pain
but it was no longer effective. Sti
she footed it lightly. consciously mai
ing of herself mainly support fo
Elise-Elise whose secret she had SUI
prised, and thereby surprised herse
even more
She was not Indifferent to Georg.
Rather in him lay the root of her II
difference to the others. Duly sh
wondered If he-with catchin
breath she stole a glance at hin
where he stood watching the dane
and particularly the chief dancer.
AS the curtain rang down after tn
third encore he caught Elise undo
the arms, and tossed her up, as on
might toss a child, saying:
Il must. To find out If you al
mortal or fairy No." as the applaus
rose madden than ever, you mustn
, go back could look at you all nigl
but you have done enough Ru
outside and sit down now-just 6
you are-but don't drink more tina
, seven lemonades-nor let more tina
, nine fellows propose at once.
Elise obeyed without wor
Georgy busted himself getting read
for the next turn. Peggy was stea
! ing away-he had not spoken to her
when he wheeled and caught bo'
, her hands, saying:
( "Peggy-my love didn't bat an e!
over seeing you in pink-and you we
. a fright sure enough. So think "
p ought to reward It, Let's set Il
/ day tomorrow"
/ But Elise!" Peggy gasped, thout
q her head swan with happiness.
I Georgy looked carefully over h
!. head. I'm attend to that" he sa
p in her ear She thinks of me as
i Opportunity. We will see to it. 81
\ has many and better opportunities.
Impossible" Peggy said. turnii
6 away her face But We will see tn
!. she is happy-almost as happy
I ourselves"