The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-25


ofYered to Introduce me. accepted
and was introduced.
I don't think I ever chuckled SO III
nv life as when found myself mcog-
nito chatting with the girl whom nau
been saying soft things to over tue
wire. | made UP my mind to stave OH
the denouement as long as possible
Not for the world would l give her any
clew to my identity by the slightest
reference to what had passed between
us. And as to letting her know even
that was a telegraph operator. notn'
ing would tempt me to risk giving
away the whole thing by doing so.
/ danced several times with Agnes
Miller and once with her friend Ellen
Ormsby. l concluded to go slow WITH
Miss Miller, but got in number OF
compliments and several looks 1ndlcat-
ing my admiration for her. When
left her to catch my train, which l did
before the dance had ended, / pressed
her hand and received slight pressure
in return.
Very soon after this received
shock at the return of Sam Atkins.
The Spanish war was over, and Sam
had come home in excellent health ana
handsome as ever. What disconnected
me was that in some way-I having
sent my girl his photograph might
spoil my fun. But on second thought
1t occurred to me that there was no
likelihood of this since she was so far
from both of us.
He did give d scare one evening when
he came to my room and seeing new
and pretty face among the photographs
on my table began to quiz me. He de-
clared he would scour the country
round till he discovered the original of
the picture.
On my return from G. l resumed my
telegraphic chat with her, enjoying it
far more than before from having
made her acquaintance. 1t was very
amusing to talk with her. having seen
her. while was still unknown to her
except through Sam Atkins photo
graph. She continued to complain Of
the dullnesS of G., so | concluded to
ask her to come to town and go with
me to the theater This would let her
into the secret Of my having sent her
another mans photograph. but must
let that out some time, and there was
no especial reason for delay.
She accepted the invitation with alac-
rity and appointed night. procured
a couple of seats and wrote her that
would meet her at the station and take
her from there to the theater she
would know me by bit Of orange rib
bon worn In my buttonhole. To keep
up the fraud till her arrival asked her
to carry few violets in her left hand
When Miss Miller alignted from the
train and saw me, whom she had met
before, with the orange ribbon in my
buttonhole she stood still for a mo-
ment; then. simply remarking that We
had met before and had deceived her
about the photograph, We left the sta
ton, and, since 1t was summer even
ing and an hour must elapse before
the play would begin, we walked to a
park or central square and sat down on
one of the benches. She then reproved
me mildly for sending her the wrong
photograph, but said she didn't mind
that since she had made my acquaint-
ance at G..
When we entered the theater and
took our seats but few people had ar
rived. We enjoyed ourselves chatting
about our telegraphic correspondence
and watching the audience come in.
Suddenly my heart stood still.
Who should enter and take the two
seat In the next row in front Of us but
Sam Atkins and Miss Millers friend.
whom | had met at G., Ellen Ormsby.
The expression on their faces was. to
say the least peculiar. Smiles were
struggling to assert themselves which
the three We're endeavoring to sup
, press. | east a hasty glance at my com
panion and saw her eyes fairly dance
with mingled delight. mischief and
triumph
knew at once that the game | had
l't"' ''i- i'Hi ipl Why Depu
cred, but had been turned against me.
sam, you rascal | exclaimed
You're traitor to your own sexr'
My remark uccaSioaed a burst OF
laughter from the whole party except
myself.
Come | said, explain the matter
At this moment the orchestra struck
up the overture, and in ten minr es
more the curtain rose. Ny torlnentors
forced me TO wait till the enc of tho
first aot before giving me an exp.a IA
/ uon: then my companion said
Nellie Ormsby is telegraph opcro
tor at the q. station and has been yan,
correspondent She sent you my 1ho
toSrarh with mr consent instead OF
her own and. having rp more co,f
dence in you in such matte. than / or
self, did NOT believe the Likeness yor
sent her was YOUR own. She went r,
~, taking the Photograph with her
and mutual friend of hers and Mr.
Atkins there told her that II was bi.
! picture. Be. Ole leaving town she saw
you at WORK at your instrument and
| knew that Won We're ber cnrrasp-,, -,