The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-31
BY ETHEL HOLMES

un o'eraker, a member of the na.
'.OHai guard Of the state Of New YORK.
wa, was engaged to be married to Helen
"ithers' who lived In Chicago Iohn
was called to the colors with the ex
pe''a'ioh OF being sent to the war at
an ana curry GATE. Most young men who
~ ~ .uliea upon to sght for their coun.
s anu nave sweethearts seem to pre.
'ei u 30 forth as married rather than
"s oacnelofs' At any rate. John Over.
aher Proposed a wedding 10 his fsncoo
ana MS proposition was acceded TO nv
the lady. ~ "
since Miss Withers lived thousand
niles from Mr.. Overaker and be cou,d
not get leave to be ohsant Iono
enough to go to Chicago. be married
ana return, an agreement was mode
petWeen the lovers that she should
eonhe 10 MIN instead Of his going TO
her for the wedding. Miss Withers did
not like the idea of wedding in Mr.
oNeraKers home instead of her own
or In hotel, or in the office Of a ius.
tlce Of the peace. Just as she wos
ABOUT TO start east she received n LET.
Ter from Mrs. Chester. an intimate
friend living near New York TO whom
she had written of her uuandarv. IN
Vltlng her to be married from her
mouse. Not having time before start
ing to write fully on the subject, Miss
Withers scratched off a brief note to
her lover asking him to meet her on n
certain date at the location in which
her friend lived, adding, Come to the
Chester"
II Is unfortunate to be obliged to
write hurried Instructions for meet
! Ing Miss Withers ink gave out as
she finished the word Chester" and
there was none left for the IS" When
Overaker read the note he inferred
that the Chester was an inn. He was
too busy with his military duties to
read the missiye over second time
Indeed, it was difficult for him to do
all he had to do before leaving to keep
the appointment
Overaker concluded to make the Jour.
ney In civilian dress, though he took
with him uniform in which to be
married. After spending an hour on a
train he alighted at his station. A taxi
chauffeur stepped up to him, and Over
aker told him that he wished to go to
"the Chester" The man knew of no
such hotel; but, preferring not to con
fess his ignorance and having often
seen a handsome residence which was
, known as the Chester place, he con-
| cluded to take the chances Of Its being
the house his fare meant The conse-
quence was that Overaker was driven
to the house where he was to meet his
bride, thinking that he was going to a
hotel.
A maid In black and white uniform
opened the door for him, and In a few
minutes a lady came in to receive him.
81 would like a room If you please,
he said. II am to meet a lady from
Chicago here, Miss Withers. Has she
arrived"
Now, the lady was Miss Withers
friend. Mrs. Chester. She had expect
ed Miss Withers a few hours before
Oyeraker arrived, but had received d
telegram from some one-doubtless
travelling with Miss Withers-stating
that there had been railway accident
and consequent delay. The fact that
the telegram made no mention OF Miss
Withers having escaped injury looked
ominous 1t occurred TO Mrs. Chester
that It would be better for the present
TO keep the matter from Mr.. overaker
His having mistaken her house Tor al
inn facilitated her doing so.
"The lady has not yet arrived sn'
said but l have been advised OF hel
coming"
81 am Lieutenant John Overaker.
om to meet Miss Withers here to b'
mo orriad 70 her. Did she mention thi'
fact?" .,
this house"
.no YOU know II she expects me q
700 appeI..i.-e - nreparations 10