The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-30

room was flooded with light. He rub
bed his eyes and looked again. En-
sconced in the white bear skin upon the
very top of the bookcase ledge was
seated a girl! And such a girl! Her
eyes sparkled back as though the numb
ing cold, the impossible situation. were
all part of a joyous adventure.
"Tve been nearly frozen to death,
and SO l confiscated the bear rug"
she explained. you promised over the
phone to call for me here at 5. but
suppose the sudden storm detained you.
I was up on the ladder. going over the
books, when 1t left me In darkness
There was nothing else to do, so l
sat where 1 was. reading by the light
Of my torch. Those wonderful old
books are interesting enough to make
one forget everything. Now" she end
ed abruptly, will It be possible for us
to 60 backr'
II am afraid not yet" John Gorden
answered perplexedly.
With a quick motion the girl discard
ed the fur rug and came nimbly down
the bookcase ladder.
1--WE will light the crate, them" she
said and put out her hand for a match.
AS the fire curled about the gas logs
he came eagerly toward the warmth,
bending with wrinkled brows to study
the face Of the girl. Unconscious of
his puzzled and admiring scrutiny, she
removed her hat, the freight glinting
upon the soft waves Of her hair. She
seemed to be an unusual young person
Of decided action.
obliged to remain here for a time, we
can talk things over. I've brought a
little lunch" Deity she was arrang
ing sandwiches upon a box cover
Have one?' she smiled.
John Gordon smiled too. Dreaming
or waking, real or unreal, the discour-
aging adventure Of an hour ago had
turned, fairy-like, to one Of pleasure.
Thank you," he replied. "And now
may ask just how you come to be
here"-he waved an arm about-"here
in the tower room of this deserted.
ghostly old hOuse7"
The girls eyes opened wide. why.
l told you," she said. II came after
the books"
"BooksY 1t seemed the lawyer could
now only repeat. parrot-like, her words
She nodded impatiently. But l had
no idea there were so many. 1t will
be impossible to remove them at pres
ent. You gave me no idea Of their
number or value over the phone.
Whatever'-she gazed dreamily into
the fire-"possessed Uncle Laidlaw to
leave his books to father and the
house to that rich lawyers mother?
Now, II he'd left US the house and the
lawyer the bookshelf, that would
have been more reasonable"
John Gordon leaned forward in sud
den understanding. SO this was the
solution Of the problem. He wished
he had finished his reading Of the will.
"Your father he began.
rs an invalid" she finished.
1--WE have such a tiny apartment In
the city This country air would have
done him so much good. Apd the gar
den-oh, what a garden should have
made of 1t in summer!" The girl sigh
ed. when does the lady take pos
session, Mr. Perkins?" she asked.
John Gordon stared, then silently &C.
cepted the real estate agents name.
IL haven't heard" he replied. "I'n
have to talk things over with you
later"
"And the books may remain for a
timer" she asked him.
"Yes," he said.
The girl jumped up. going over to the
window. There's light at last! she
cried. And the storm is going over
Do you think we dare venture yet
Father will be so anxious. He is alone
until come. There are just we two.
Half regretfully John Gordon follow.
ed to look over her shoulder to where
the lights now shone below. Can you
walk it?" he asked anxiously. She
had already started down the stair.
AS the key turned rustily in the front
door lock the two stood for moment
looking into each others eyes Into
John Gordons heretofore empty heart
came feeling Of great and protective
tenderness. He held out his arm. and
quietly the girl placed her own with
In 1t; then downward they started
through the drifts.
At the station she gave him her hand
In farewell, but he was going into the
city tonight, he told her, so they trav
eled together Next day came letter
which Miss Laidlaw, with glowing
cheeks, read aloud to her father.
Mr.. Gordon $50 the agent Perkins
wrote) upon being consulted as to the
disposal Of his property suggested thai
I q caretaker be found. with salary t.
cover expenses. He himself did mo-
care to trouble with the estate. SO Il
Mr.. Laidlaw and his daughter wert
a