The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-08-03

ders gaze was entirely impaSsonal
Silently she accepted and read hi
| ticket; then OH" she breathed
Vaguely troubled, he glanced down a
the golden head. Surprise. disappoint
ment-what was it that showed for I
moment in the eyes appraised to his?
'This way" she said. and Billy fol
lowed her down the aisle. But at thu
choice seat designated the stout over
seeing usher reappeared.
Must be some mistake" she argued
loudly. This section reserved for ush
ers and their husbands only. Let me
see your ticket" Billy was about te
apologize and withdraw-other fortu
nate possessors of nearby seats inter
estedly watched the outcome-when his
directors voice sounded distinctly
"It's all right, Mrs. Sayles," she said
THE ticket reads. Mr.. and Mrs. Jack
Maynard Mrs. Maynard is not here
this evening. but she ushered at this
afternoons meeting"
Before Billy could collect his senses,
before he could deny to the one girl in
all the world this fatal imputation, the
two white clad women, whispering.
moved away together. And to this end
had his scheming led him. The girl
whose love he craved was now, through
a senseless mistake, removed from him
forever. Henceforth he was In her
eyes but the welded husband Of GER
tain Mrs. Jack Maynard Why hadn't
he glanced at the COMPOUNDED ticket in
stead Of rushing with 1t like fool?
Despairingly Billy looked about, after
the Grafton, If here he might still find
one friend, perhaps also Of her ac-
quaintance, but all were strangers, nor
one familiar face. Broodingly he made
his way to the door. Out In the vesti-
bule he fingered to throw on his coat.
and presently from merry, chattering
throng she made her way to him.
The wonder Of her sudden presence
there at his side, the smile that was
Enthusiastically for him. held him for
the moment speechless.
II hope the evening has been a pleas
ant one." she said and held out her
hand. Billy saw that the hand was
extending to him small white enve-
lope and took it. Then his dream
abruptly ended
"A ticket for the mothers meeting
tomorrow, Mr.. Maynard" she said.
please give 1t to your wife"
Before his denying lips could even
form reply she had vanished. 1t was
decidedly grouchy Billy Thornton
whom his tall friend found in the office
the next day.
Enjoy the uplift meeting?" Braydon
casually inquired.
"The deuce!" answered Billy.
"As to that Miss Wilder" the friend
went on. Happen to know people
who in turn know her. Take you over
to meet her II you like"
Billys crouch evaporated. ITO
night?' he asked crisply.
Tonight" replied Braydon
Bully banged down the cover of his
desk In spirit Of joyful anticipation.
In ten minutes he would explain all
to her. And after that-well If he
didn't win out In the old game Of love
it would not be because with all his
heart and soul he had not tried. He
wished that Braydon would refrain
from entering into that old business
problem on the way to the house where
he was to meet her. He wanted to go
over In his mind the things that he
would say.
Before he realized 1t they were in the
brilliantly lighted reception room and
he was bowling before a sweet faced
woman presented as Mrs. Jack May
nard, who Immediately, taking Billy In
charge, led him to a girlish figure at
the farther end Of the room.
Miss Wilder" she announced rather
absently and hurried back to his friend.
The lone girl" smiled up at him.
we are not quite strangers" she
said, but am afraid you forgot to
give the ticket to Mrs. Maynard. She
was absent, noticed, from the after.
noon meeting, and YOU
Miss Wilder"-it was the interrupt
ing voice of Braydon-"come here Just
a moment, please, to settle dispute"
Billy savagely ground his heel on the
rug as Others came to claim the girls
attention, keeping her from him. Wher
was this silly affair to be Strengthened
Where was the real Jack Maynard?
Unfortunately the evening dragged
and no opportunity for further WORD
with the girl of his dreams. In hel
eyes he was now no doubt Just the un
interesting husband of her hostess
while In his eyes-Billy rapturously
caught his breath as he looked at her
she grew each moment fairer.
In sudden determination he crossed
to where she sat before the piano.
II want to talk to you," he said.
The girls fingers rested upon tn,
keys. Half turning. she looked up a
him.
I'm not Jack Maynard" BILL
Blurted out desperately. 'and I'm no
married. 1t was a confounded-I be,
your pardon-only a borrowed ticket
The laughing challenge of her eve,
gave him sudden courage. II hay,