The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-08-03
AWar Blight
By RUTH GRAHAM

This story illustrates the fact that.
no matter how high one may be in the
social scale, there is no escape from
the trials and disappointments that be-
set humanity.
The estates Of the Earl of Burlington
and Sir Andrew Martindale, representa-
tives Of the old aristocracy of England,
adjoined. The earls only son, Oliver
Tisdale, from the time he was two
years old, was permitted to play with
Gladys Martindale, girl Of seven.
Then Oliver went to Elton and returned
handsome manly youth Of seventeen.
Gladys was at this time fifteen.
There is something delightful in the
love Of two persons of opposite sex at
this tender age They drift together |
unconscious OF the slowly weaving
thongs that are binding them to each
other. 1t is a spiritual rather than
passionate love. At least 1t was SO
between these two To Oliver, Gladys
was something to be reverenced, pro
tected, thing of beauty both bodily
and spiritually, not to be profaned. To
Gladys. Oliver was the embodiment of
manly strength and beauty. He was
heir to an earldom, and this cast upon
him "a glamour, for she was merely a
younger daughter Of a barOnet.
No WORD OF love was spoken between
them at this period, for neither was
conscious of love. Oliver went to Cam
bridge university, where he was gradu-
ated with credit, and choosing the army
for his profession entered one OF the
regiments most frequented by noble
men. When he came home as soldier
he was a man and Gladys was wo-
man.
What had been sweet companion
ship now burst forth into passion.
The two were inseparable, and In time
their engagement was announced. 1t
was to have been expected that
Oliver. being heir to an earldom,
would have mated with one Of equal
rank with himself and who would
bring him an estate to match his own
instead of uniting with portionless
daughter of country baronet. But so
charming was his fiancee that his fam
ily made no objection to receiving her
: as the future mistress Of Burlington
castle Indeed. she was warmly wei
coined
The nuptinls and divers coming of
age were celebrated at the same time.
. II ever couple seemed destined to
). happy life this one certainly did. They
= had rank, wealth, health, everything
that was calculated to make life en-
. joyable. The young lord was respected
= and his lady was beloved.
Nevertheless. to the eastward darh
y, cloud was rising that was destined tt
:. overshadow the world. Suddenly grin
II war sounded her trumpet on the cont
" nent 1t was heard across the channel
and there was hurrying to and FRI
among British soldiers. Then Olive
left his bride to whom he had beer
married but few weeks to Join hi
10 command.
> The parting to her came as a grea
:" shock. In such cases the man II
u buoyed up by the excitement OF tn
hour: It IL the woman who suffers
'e His mind is taken up with that upoI
which he is forced to think; her min'
VI ia free to dwell upon the break ant
u. upon gloomy forebOdings.
d And poor Gladys forebodings In TIL
Is case became realities. While that hand
le full of British soldiers who formed tn
u left wing of the united forces Of Eng
land, France and Belgium were drivel
te southwark upon Paris news continu
III ally came across the strait Of Dover
IL many an Englishman who would neve
III return to his home. Many an heir to
ut title and estate went down like tn
~ plainest soldier in the ranks. Anon
those reported killed was the man o
u whom Gladys happiness was depend
Gu ent.
Ut For some time the news was keI
Ell from her. since there was dread tina
Is. she would not be able to bear 1t. Bu
finally. fearing that she would hear 9
So her loss through some unauthOrize
nj channel. her friends advised that sh
IN should be Informed. Then arose tn
OF question who should inform her an
lie how the announcement should be mad
y Both her parents shrank from the 0
ID,