The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-10-27
73e
Fanished Soul
By EVELYN LEE

papers Union.)
1t might have been wicked that
Madge Griscom experienced a sense
of relief when the funeral of her hus-
band was over. She had never loved
him and he knew it, and she could
not regret the sense Of freedom that
had come to her. To the last hour OF
his life she had been kind, attentive
and considerate towards him. She
had fulfilled every wifely duty, she
had even given over to him the means
to finance him in business. 1t was
true that she had now inherited the
same, many times augmented, but she
had worked side by side with him at
desk, and the first thing she had done
In taking over his estate was to place
a charge against 1t that would insure
a competence for his aged parents.
"And now you can follow out your
own ideas and enjoy life" reminded
her sister, but Madge's lips were set
smlelessly.
mo, Edna" she responded. 1.-THE
best years of my life are gone. feel
as though my heart was dead. There
Is certain interest that Is not un-
pleasant in business and I shall con-
tinue."
ITO keep from thinking, poor
thing" Edna later impaired to spe-
cial friend. "You know Madge has
led life of positive slavery for ten
years. I don't know how 1t was that
papa took strange liking to Mr.. Girls
com-nothing would do but Madge
must marry him. He chilled her,
froze all that was tender and gentle
in her nature. He tied her down to q
desk-oh, 1t was dreadful"
Madge became a boarder at the
home of Edna. The latter, after half
dozen years of marriage, was just
as much a girl as ever, but somehow
Madge was not in harmony. She felt
and acted old.
Across the corridor from the office
suite was room fronting on a court,
and more than once Madge had no
ticed its occupant delicate looking
young man with refined features and
gentle gravity Of manner that
seemed akin to sadness. Somehow
she was attracted, and If she had
closely analysed her impression she
would have found that something In
the quiet, resigned manner of the
young man had suggested itself as
akin to her own somber frame OF
mind. One day there came the I'M
pulse to learn something closer con-
corning her opposite neighbor and OPP
portunity abetted 1t. The postman
had misdelivered letter addressed to
Mr.. Paul Derby, and that was the
name on the door Of the office. Mrs.
Griscom took the letter across the
hall. It was a bare, dismal place,
looking out upon court, and the
heat was oppressive on account OF
such scant direct ventilation. The
young man was bent over some manu-
script which he seemed to be studying
closely and transcribing. Later Mrs.
Griscom learned that he was trans
lator and a master of several Ian
guages
He arose somewhat confused, but
the courteous gentleman complete,
and accepted with thanks the letter
rendered by his attractive looking Wis
itor who could be most gracious ana
smiling when occasion or her mood
accorded. She could not very well re-
main, but she observed, less casually
than 1t seemed on the surface.
ut must be very warm and Oppres-
sive here when the breeze Is not right,
Mr.. Derby" sand then: zone of our
offices is directly opposite and II Its
door was kept open, you would have
a direct draft through to the court =
and the pleased expression In the
young mans face encouraged his
thoughtful visitor TO the extent that
when she returned to her own ONCE
and opencd the door, the effect Of the
, current of air was noticeable In the
huttering of the papers on the desk
of the translator, and he sat more
erect and comfortable as though en-
Toying the change In the temperature
As time went on Madge, as she
passed down the corridor daily, would
nod III friendly way to Derby anC
he seemed to brighten up because Of
the attention. Then one day there
was a change of wind and sheet OF
paper came futtering across the hal
and into the private office where Mrs
Griscom sat. It was brief letter, oil
rected to Derby, and 1t notified hin
that the manuscript Of an unpublished
work by SPANS most noted writel
could be had Of priest for two thou
sand dollars cash and a like amour
; on time. At the bottom of the shee
was penciled reply: II am In despair
| II would be impossible for me to rails
, one-tenth of the amount named, so
must allow this great opportunity o
, my life to drift by"
Madge was grave and thoughtful a
she took the letter and crossed tn
corridor
"Mr. Derby" she said clearly, Il an
3 a business woman and inadvertently
E have read this letter. 1t seems to In
voTve some cherished undertaking 20