The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-02-07

two Young men in the veranua.
over in the corner there WAS glow
Ing point of light. Professor HICKS
was smoking furiously. Perhaps ne
had counted on having Adelaide 10
himself that evening.
Near by were Mavis Oakes and her |
cavalier. Larry.
A half hour later came telephone
call for Larry. He returned from the |
booth in a very vexed frame OF MIND I
I'm called over to Pendleton. he
explained Gould you take me over
In your car. professorf All the hotel
cars are in use.
with pleasure" cried Professor
Hicks, tossing his cigar away. FER
haps Miss Oakes would like to come
too"
THANKS. should love to-"
So the three drove away from the
hotel. two OF them trembling with ex-
citement at the coming ordeal.
Professor Hicks. the innocent vic
tim of their disturbance. guided the
car with his usual cool precision.
where do you want to goy' he ask
ed after they had entered the quiet
Pendeton streets
The rectory." said Larry.
Professor Hicks peered ut him
through the darkness.
"H'm!" he coughed suspiciously, and
Larry pressed Mavis hand and whis-
pered: He believes we're going to he
married. you and l. Mavis You
wouldn't hate the idea. would youE
No one save Larry heard her answer,
but from what followed 1t must have
been entirely satisfactory 10 that love
lorn ,nuth.
In fact. the professor had to remind
them twice before they realized that
the car had stopped at the rectory gate.
"Wil you come inside, professorY
pleaded Larry.
In the rector's study there waited a
nervous group-Betty and Amy. with
a tearfully smiling Adelaide between
them. while Dan Morand and Harvey
talked to the puzzled looking clergy
man.
Larry beckoned Morland into the
hall. Here he is. old man." Larry
whispered to Dan. Go to it, Mavis
and Larry went into the study. eav-
Ing Dan Morland alone with the pro-
fessor.
Those within the room heard sounds
Of dispute in the hall. murmured ex-
postulations and then the deep rum
BILE Of Dams persuasive voice.
The girls looked at each other In dis
may.
Now that Adelaide. the dear, had
consented to their plan. would 1t not
be dreadful II the professor refused to
marry Miss Higginson2
Il wish we had not meddled." whis.
pered Betty to Mavis.
Mavis nodded and looked misera BILE
There was Adelaide with a sweetly
tender smile on her lips. her thinness
covered by the tleecy white frock. SC
bridelike
And there was Professor Hicks. act
ing $3.50
"Balky! II was Larry who sup
piled the right word
! Just then the two men came into
the room. the professor smiling. Oar
Marland looking baffled.
DR.. Deems came forward. surpliced
with an open prayer book In his hands
Professor Hicks exchanged a lool
with Adelaide and stiffened his shoul
ders as he stepped forward
/ Il thank these young people for thei
kind interest In my-our affairs" b,
said gently, but cannot marry Ade
.laide. You will explain to them VIII,
/ cannot"
"Oh-oh! The exclamation. scarce
ly breathed. ran from lip to lip. Some
how the professor found a place be
side Adelaide.
They all looked expectantly at tn
minister
"Please tell them why cannot asl
you TO marry MS. DR.. Deems" repeate,
Professor Hicks.
DR. Deems closed the prayer bool
upon his finger and smiled benignl,
around the group
Because" he said impressively-"be
cause married them two weeks ago.
CONSERVATION fell upon the six med
dlers
The quiet Adelaide and her gra,
haired lover had eloped after all. ha,
stolen a march upon them. had no
needed their intervention.
Adelaide's tremulous voice broke tn
silence:
Il am so glad you all know. Yo-
were so dear TO plan II for u.s.
A food of congratulations checke
her speech.
The six conspirators crowded aroun
Adelaide and her husband.
/ DIR. Deems was beaming upon ther
all and offering to 60 and break tn
news TO Mrs. Higginson.
Il am sure she will listen to reason.
he said as he prepared to leave.
And he never told them that II VIA
only after he had explained to AIDE
ladies mother that Professor Bick