The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-02

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/ some face.
There came tap at the door, and
Maud opened it.
Come in. Miss Barton" she cried af-
fectionately, as the slim, auburn haired
music teacher smiled at her.
Il can't just now, dear; I've brought
Dorothy the new music she asked for.
Did | tell you that madame has en-.
gagged the Romany orchestra for the
next dance:'
She laughed musically as the girls
broke into noisy expressions of joy.
Heretofore the school and its invited
guests had danced to the tame music
| of piano and one violin.
''She is a dear" murmured Amy when
they were alone once more
she would be beautiful If she wore
, something besides that tiresome black"
Il wonder why she never married
wonder if it did have anything to do
with my handsome guardian" said
Dorothy.
They will meet again here. If she
married Senator Merwin, what rela-
ton would she be to you. Dorothy?"
asked Maud mischievously.
Dorothy threw a sentimental glance
at the picture.
she would be my deadliest enemyw
she declared, and in burst Of laughter
the conference broke up.
Nine. Hermaine's boarding school
wore festive appearance that April
night
Youthful beauty filed the staid re-
ception rooms and overlooked upon
halls and verandas.
There was glimpse of the broad
bosomed Pacific ocean, where the
moon made silver track that might
lead to enchanted islands. Eastward
the foothills doomed black against the
evening sky. From the gardens below
came scented reminders of rose gera-
mum, carnations, heliotrope and mi
gnOnette; in the verandas were great
tubs of pink oleanders.
To Nine. Hermaine's pupils enchant-
ment lay here instead of unknown is
lands of the far east.
Friends and relatives of pupils
thronged the rooms, and the young
people danced to the enhancing strains
of the gypsy orchestra.
Nine Iermaine moved majestically
through the rooms, pausing now and
then to beStow Il smile and word on
some favorite pupil or to linger in
conversation with guardians and par
ents.
Fraulein Goebel, the German teach
er, and Mile. Specht, who taught a
large French class, were dancing Sc
dately together. Linda Barton sat in
corner and chatted with an. unknown
old lady, who afterward turned out to
be Anne Ashbels grandmother
"And who Is this tan man comingY
asked Mrs. Ashbel curiously. 1.-THE
broad shouldered man surrounded by
girls?"
Linda looking rose flushed and love-
ly I'm a much darned black net evening
frock, glanced carelessly at the group.
Suddenly all the roses vanished from
her cheeks, leaving them white and
wan.
"Who is he?" persisted the old lady
curiously
II think, l believe his name must
be Merwin," said Linda in labored
voice
~ wonder If 1t can be Senator Mer-
win| murmured Mrs. Ashbel.
81 don't know" said Linda, dropping
her head to hide her emotion from
half dozen pairs Of curious eyes.
did you see her?" whispered Maud
Benning to Dorothy Blake as they ac-
companied Richard Merwin to the con-
servatory to show him Nine Her
maine's collection of orchids.
"You mean Miss Barton?"
Maud nodded. "She must have recog-
nized your guardian, Dolly. thought
she was going to faint, she grew so
white"
II wonder." murmured Dorothy.
maud. I'm going to bring her here to
meet guardy."
ut would be cruel perhaps" pro-
tested Maud.
1T will be quite romantic" insisted
Dorothy, moving away.
II thought you-you admired him
yourself" objected Maud.
II do. and he admires me, too" said
Dorothy egotistically. HE could not
help drawing contrast between us,
and am not bit jealous of poor Miss
Barton" She smiled with the cruel
candor of youth and fitted away in the
shimmerinG crowd
Richard Merwin and the four chat
tering girls had seen the orchids and
had paused by the fountain. watching
the antics Of the goldfish in the basin.
Suddenly Dorothy was in their midst.
holding tightly to the hand of slim.
black CARRIED woman whose crown of
auburn hair was powdered with the
snow of late youth White as death.
she met the surprised gray eyes of tho
senator.
The gray OF his eyes turned to black.
the fine wrinkles and lines vanished
from around his eyes and mouth, his
face was afire with youth, and there
was look which caused the five girls
to fall back in an abashed group near
the door.
Linda! Linda Barton, is 1t your
he asked in a thrilling voice. and his
eyes and hers seemed to bridge long
years of pain and misunderstanding.
At last their hands came together,
and be held her ringless fingers close
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