The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-18
Nv ALAN HlNSDALE


me as was to see her. Her face
that of a saint-fair complexion.
and eyes. There was but one
0ish-a small red birthmark, shap
ike a rose leaf, on her neck. 1t
rather an imperfection than
nish.
ybere are WEI" l asked.
don't know" she replied.
hear the sound of waves"
rben we must be on the seashore.
And birds singing"
That would indicate that the beach
ned by woods
Wherever we are, we were evident
|ent for each other"
would seem So" She lowered
eyes.
Hou were certainly sent to be with
What would become Of me alone
this dense mist without the power
find my way out of it? With you
hall be happy even here. You are
~ lovely"
You do not say beautiful"
but you are beautiful"
no; | can't be that"
WHY"
because of this" She put finger
the birthmark.
rDo you know" said after a brief
use, that l like you so well as you
that / would not have even that
anged?"
Suddenly the mist was gone. 1t did
It melt away; it vanished. We were
hnding upon a beautiful bay. For
lies on either hand the beach curved
a semicircle. Back of us the shore
se till it mingled with mountains
be waters of the bay were Of different
blors Near us. where it was shallow
was pale green, beyond deer
ue and beyond that silver. On this
liver an island rested, rising from Its
bse to height on which the sur
bone golden. We stood looking out al
be view | was entranced, and, turn
be my eyes upon my companion, l saw
bat she was equally wrapt.
II feel l said, that must go ou
the bosom Of that sea-"
There is boat" she replied, Chain
to stake"
Lowering my eyes to the verge,
hw skiff rising and falling with thu
hnguid swells.
The next scene Of which l was cog
lizant or at least remember now wa
pulling along under great cliffs tina
|ormed the island.
There is cave" said my companion
with a waterway for an entrance"
Turning the boat, I pulled for tn
pave. The rocky roof over the water
way just grazed our heads as we mad
me entrance. Inside we found our
'elves within a cavern, its roof hum
with stalactites. The light COMM
rom the entrance tinged the vaulte
Foof with ever changing colors. Nov
was a blood red, now pale blue
now sea green, now white.
1T is from the changing Of the wa
Fers outside" l said. "a changing SIX
changes the bay, and the changing ba
cnanges the hues in here"
1t is all change" she said sadly
l wish something in the world wer
liked"
dropped my oars and, seating my
self beside her, took her in my arms.
1 wish this would never change"
sad, for l have found my love-"
Kissed her. She put her arms abou
me, and it seemed to me that 1 ha
thrown of something that had troI
pied me, some great evil that had Owe
aung me, and l had passed to col
'aieseence Of perfect happiness.
Alas, while supremely happy In thl
..ompanionship, felt my love slippin
through my arms and saw her hoa
Jug over the surface of the waite
Inward the mouth of the cavern. a
'nat moment both the water and II
rocky dome were a pale blue. The
,nged her garments with the sam
uue. She looked back at me with a
oppression of indescribable melancnol.
called to her not to leave me, br
sue noated on, passed out through tf
uouth Of the cavern and was gone.
seized the oars to follow and, dasl
Ag under the low arch that separate
ue from the outside, in another M
ueht was under the greater vault
Tie heavens.
All was serene as when we entere
'ue cavern, but my love had vanished
Anen came a sensation OF being tos
- 10 and fro. up and down, as thong
were on stormy sea. 1t was mer
consciousness of feeling. Incl
sss no communication with the gu
sue world. There were voices In Il
~ What they said l did not know
1uere were also sounds Of myislD
peOple passing and the occasional opel
"g and closing of a door.