The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-06

information whatever.
The Office was on the same floor rs
/ the department Of porceIains. orienta
goods and rare treasures from every
cline Paul sat down i'll carr &c
lockwood chair and gnawed his lip in
patiently This hunting for Linda was
4 like searching for needle il hay
stack If ne had some clew-if she
would only come into the range Of his
vision now, her face glowing with the
cold, her furs snugglpd around her
chin, her brown eyes sparkling. And
ut that moment he heard her voice.
This vase, madam" said Linda S
voice sweetly. but, OH, SO YEARLY
''this vase dates back TO the first Ming
period Yes; il is quite perfect. Yes;
you wish to take II with you"
Paul looked around the corner of his
carved chair
There was Linda Bartram, his Linda
indeed, but not among the throng OF
rich Christmas shoppers who frequent
ed this particular store. She was
standing slim and pale in black
gown, the electric lights bringing out
the sheen Of her bronze hair. Her
eyes We're not sparkling. They were
sad and tired eyes, and there was u
tired droop TO her lips.
1t was Christmas eve, and Linda
Bartram, petted daughter Of indulgent
parents, was q saleswoman in q shop.
Paul's joy ut finding Linda was dim
med by the discovery Of his love under
such circumstances.
He saw Lindas customer depart,
trailing rich furs after her, and he
saw the girl pause to rearrange some
porcelains on table. He approached
her.
She looked at him without recogni-
ton. Her glance was very casual.
He was only another customer. and
this was Christmas eve, and she was,
oh, so much alone! 1t was so different
from every other Christmas Linda had
ever spent. She was proud, and she
had hidden herself from friends, and
she had not told Paul of her troubles
Her father had rejected him because
he was not as rich as she was, and
now, now she was poor, and she
would he ashamed to look into Paul's
face.
30 Paul stood there, and she did not
recognize him, for there was a blur
before her eyes and lump iu her
throat. Her ears caught familiar
note In his voice, but she never guess.
ed his identity then.
Please show me some-some Can
ton ware" hazarded Paula tea set,
] think"
She led the way to table where
rich wares of blue and Witty blue
We're spread out
"Have you u Christmas?" burst out
PauI, without looking at the Canton
ware.
"A-a whatp" she stanmered.
"A Christmas. ] want to buy a per
fectly happy Christmas.
She laughed softly. "Oh, you mean
Christmas present"
No; ] mean Christmas, a real
Christmas for two people who have
been parted for many years" he said
In low tone.
Then she looked up at him, and
shocked look came into her eyes, and
her lace seemed paler than before.
"Paul-Wakelym she gasped.
Linda" he said, strongly resisting
desire TO take her hands in his own
He knew that he should not be talking
to her then without making pur-
chase, because hoorwalker was
watching them rather suspiciously.
Please sell me something" he said
desperately.
What shall sell youY' she asked.
looking over the stock.
something for our home, Linda"
cannot marry you, Paul"
30 your love did not last % he asked
coolly as he examined q Canton tea
pot
1T did, but
Then why not?'
You don't understand, Paul. You
nave not heard about our-our"-
u have been up TO the house. have
seen Mrs. Smith, and she has told me
all. She even lent me the brooch
you sent her so could trace you. or
course you bought it here beca use Won
We're working here, so ] am quite
detective after all" he fattered him
self.
cannot marry you. Paul" insisted
the girl "Oh. here comes Mr.. Beehe
The hoorwalker was dra wing near
] will take the entire set" said PAM
coolly Can you send it 70 me toniybt
at the Clarion hotel? The price
please?"
Linda and the 6oorwaIker watched
nm with dazzling eyes as be brouyb,
out the great roll Of bills and de,
pleted 1t by many crisp yellow backs
PAID into Linda's trembling hand Tho
noorwalker moved away. and Iinda
entered her sale In the book and sent
the money away.
I've always wanted 10 be marr,as
on Christmas day" declared Paul
cannot quavered Linda
Then you won't give me the only
a IL