The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-05
a wonder Molly wouldn't take up with

Joe MOfIOu. sue COluLucutcu-
MOLLY amt never going to get mar
ried. so she says" cackled Miss Susan
Libby.
"Humph, IL was a girl | wouldn I
be putting on any airs about being a
man halter. not when there was such
a fine young man is Joe. Good even
Ing. Molly. We we're just wondering
when you were going to settle down
and get married" said Mrs. Bunce as
Molly paused before them
Molly wrinkled her pretty nose.
you know | am going to become a
dear, delightful little spinster like Su-
san Libby" she protested. dropping a
light kiss on the offended Susan's ear
Dear. delightful little sauce box
snapped Susan as Molly darted away
Joe Morton came along. hnmmins u
tune under his breath. He smiled in
his large. friendly way upon the two
good gossips.
Mrs. Bunce put out a freckled hand.
Joe" she said. with heavy humor.
Susan and | are wondering when
you're going to get married and settle
down in that new house you built last
spring."
$50 am l." was Joe's noncommittal
reply. and his dazzling smile took the
sting from his answer. He moved
away, still smiling and his eyes dream
lily fixed on Molly Ditson's white clad
form in the distance.
That's right: follow the butterfly"
muttered Mrs. Bunce darkly.
While the older people discussed
neighborhood affairs youth was max
ing merry In the rambling old place.
In the kitchen some were bobbing for
apples, while others tested fate with
melted lead or roasting chestnuts.
Joe Morton followed the lead of his
friends and entered into all the games
with an amusing gravity. When his
dark head emerged dripping with water
from tub. there was great red apple
held In his strong white teeth.
Joe always gets what he goes aft
err" said Oliver Bunce approvingly.
Joe Morton heard the words. frown-
ed for an instant. then, shaking the
drops from his head, smiled grimly.
'Tf that is the case." he muttered.
Il might as well go and get what !
want now. This Halloween tomfool-
cry isn't necessary"
He picked up towel from the snowy
pile Hannah Mix had provided. dried
his hair and face and went out Of the
kitchen into the back porch.
He had noticed that Molly went out
that way.
In the midst of the revelry Molly
suddenly remembered the milk she
had promised the gypsy.
II shall be so sleepy In the morning
can never get up in time" she
thought. Suppose | slip out to the
milk house now and take it to the path
can be back In time for the mirror
tricks. It's only quarter to IL now.
So Molly disappeared from the kitch
en- and tripped down the winding patti
that led through the kitchen garden
to the milk house. The moon was shin
ing brightly. and the pumpkins were
glistening with frost The little stream
murmured its way among the stones.
| The moon shone directly through the
uncurtained window Of the little stone
foored room. and the glistening pail.
and pans gave back subdued reflec
tons.
Molly reached for pail and dislodg
ed a great new milk pan. It fell intt
her outstretched hands, and its shining
surface reflected her charming face.
At that very moment a church clocl
in the village struck the hour Of mid
night, the magic hour Of the eptir,
year for all believers in charms. Ant
who is young that does not believer
And in that witching instant Q
shadow stole across the milk pan mir
ror, and Molly noted with freezins
blood that another face was reflected
beside her own. A warm breath min
gled with hers; there was the not uD
pleasant fragrance Of tobacco; a pail
of strong arms encircled her shoulder.
and two hands clasped hers so thai
the pau fell Gathering to the ground.
Molly stared down at the hands
They were strong and brown and wei
shaped, and on the little finger Of ont
hand cleaned a small gold ring or
which was tiny left hand-extendet
as II to clasp another.
!, And tho other ring and tiny hand
was on Molly's engagement finger!
What about the gypsy's prophecy ant
the gypsy's charm?
"Oh-h-hv' breathed Molly suddenly.
MOLLY, darlingw murmured Joe Nor
tons voice.
"Joe!' she cried family. and it 1.
significant that, she did not WITHDRAW
from his embrace. Where did YOU
get-thatr'
She touched the little ring on hi,
! hand.
Then he saw the one on her firge
! and marveled.
! THE gypsy woman gave 1t to me.
he admitted. II gave her a little sill
yer for the kid, it looked so sick, ant
she-er-said my future wife woul,