Lakeland Evening Telegram Newspaper, December 4, 1911, Page 6

¥ ? ¢ PAGE SIX Gretchen's Ghost The ringing of the telephone bell etartled Gretchen. “Hello!" she said, taking down the receiver. “Yes—this is Gretchen. Yes— Oh, Helen, I'm so sorry.” She paused and the color left her cheeks, but she tried to steady her voice as <he answered. “Oh, no, I—I won't be afraid—that is, not much. No—don't worry Good night.” She hung up the receiver and bowed ter head on the telephone box, tremb- ling like a leaf. She was not a coward, but the prospect of a night ulone in the bungalow in the woods was not at all to Gretchen Harden's liking. Her sister and brother-in-law with whom she was spending the sum- mer and autumn had missed the last train to the country and would re- main in town, perforce. The maid of all work was gone for the week-end and Gretchen was alone, It was November and the most melancholy time of the year to the girl. She disliked the eerie sounds of the avtwmn winds and the whirling of the leaves abont the porches and wulks. And tenight the winds whis- tled persistently down the chimneys and under the caves of the little house. After a few minutes in which she tried to conquer the fear that had overcome her at the first awful thouglit of being alone, she raised her Liead and determined to do something to keep her mind occupied. She sat in the cozy chair before the fire in the big living-room and tried to sew, | but that gave her too much time to She tried to pla” think—and listen. the piano and sing and she turned on all the lights so as to lend an air of gayety to the occasion. But her voice trembled and her fingers would not strike the right keys—all of which made fearful discord in her soul and only added to the inharmoni- ous sounds without. Then she tried IR % “Che Sat Bolt Upright.” [ to read but she soon found herself ' listening instead of understanding the ! “I beg your pardon,” | wag a figure clad in white. It walked noisclessly as if, in its ghostly way, it would come unaware upon anyone who chanced to be out that night. Hearing the shriek, the ghostly fig- ure stopped and peered back into the darkness of the woods. “Hello!" it cried. Gretchen gave one more faint cry and fell to the ground. Her over- taxed nerves had given ‘'way and, for the first time in her life, she fainted. The figure called again in mascu- line tones, “Hello!” Getting no an- swer and seeing no more moving vision in the darkness, he sought Gretchen. Almost stumbling upon her, he stopped and bent over the girl. He | folt her cold hand; then, without fur- ther delay, he picked her up in his arms and followed the trall. Straight toward the rope of elec- tric lights in the garden he went, car- rying his burden as gently as possi- ble. After a moment Gretchen stirred in his arms and opened her eyes in a wild, dazed fashion, “Oh,” she sighed in a tremulous lit- | t'e voice. “The—ghost—where 8 it? Where—" The man placed her gently an her fest. “I——I'm afraid I frightened you,” he bagan. “You fainted when I called hello. I—I supose this ghastly Greek costume in the darkness of the ' woods would Jook spooky.” (iretchon looked at him and it all cama back to her—her fright fiight. “I was running to the kousa for protection,” she explained, ‘“and--" “And not knowing we were giving a Iate autumn production of Pygma- llon and Galatea in the open air, you thought this white clad actor—ama- teur a3 | am—was a ghost! And I don't blame you,"” the man laughed. | “Come—Ilet me take you to the house. ‘I was on my way from the dressing tent to the grove.” Gretchen explained who she was | and that she was meeting the house- | keeper who bad kindly offered to come and meet her. All the time the man in Greek costume was trying to see the face of the girl he had car- ried In his arms and whose voice so charmed him. “Je that you, Miss Harden?" asked & voice, “It is, Mrs. Conklin,” Gretchen an- swered, recognizing the good Irish brogue of the housekeeper who had answered the telephone. “I came to further grief.” The man at her side laughed. | “Grief—thanks,” he could not help saying. Gretchen hastened to say. Mrs. Conklin joined them. “Oh, it's Mr. Arthur in his play clothes,” she said. “Did he frighten you?” Gretchen had to admit that he did and then the young man—the eldest son of the house of Graham just re- . turned from two years of travel, in- sisted that the housekeeper remain , the night with Miss Harden in the bungalow since that young woman would not consent to going on to the big house. He escorted them back to the bung- alow and while the members of the amateur company back in the out-of- door studio of Pygmalion, the sculptor, gave cue after cue for the missing member, the little play came to dire disaster and Arthur Graham lingered on the bungalow porch. He had for- gotten all about his role of Mimos, “But—listen,” Gretchen cried, sud- and | Graham | words ler eyes mechunically read. gonly “That's what frightened me Finally, in despair, she threw hersell so terribly—that dropping, knocking ‘the sounds were more distinet. on the couch and buried her face in : the cushions determined to shut out; all sounds and overcome her nervous- ness, For some time she lay quiet and ! thought she might be able to sleep— nothing would have induced her to go ‘to her room and prepare herselfl for a regular night's sleep. Presently she sat bolt upright, her eyes as big and sghining as if they had never known slumber. Her heart fairly thumped and she clasped her hands together tightly. Above the howling of the | wind she could hear, distinctly, the sound of something on the roof of the porch. She could have screamed with terror but her voice seemed almost ' to have left her. She listened and | Some- one must certainly be walking on the ! roof! Gretchien thought of the telephone and of the Grahams in the big house down on the water's edge. True, the woods—dark and lonely—were be tween them but, if only she get in touch with gome human being sh felt that she might be able to breathe again. She managed, with effort, to get sound on the roof.” They all listen for a moment and then Arthur Graham burst into laugh- ter. “It's nothing but the chestnuts dropping from the trees to the roof!"” “Oh!” Gretchen cried, a blush of shame at her own cowardice overcom- ing her. “I'll come back in the morning to see that nothing worse than chest- nuts comes to harm you,” the young man said as he took leave of Gretch- en and Mrs, Conklin. And wise Mrs. Conklin knew, in her good Irish heart, that it was not harm but a great happiness that had come to play a part in the lives of the two young people that night. “Any such romantic beginning is sure to end in the right way,” she sullloquized as she fell asleep amid | the strange surroundings of the little bungalow in the woods. Patrick’s Preference. The bugle sounded. Iuto the bar- o | Tack square marched the regiment, | then formed a hollow square and waited, Patrick Dolan, a scarred and sunburnt the rumber and was told that the family was down in the grove at an open air performance. The house- keeper who answered the phone asked what she could do and Gretch- en, in her fear and panic, begged the woman to come to her and promised to meet her half way. It was impos- sible. <he explained, for her to remain another moment in that terrible situa- tion. After hanging up the receiver once more she wrapped a shawl about her and dashed out of the front door looking neither to right nor left. Down the garden path she ran and into the stretch of woodland that | { warrior, was to receive some little | token of his country's gratitude. A | particularly notable act of bravery | had brought Patrick into the lime- | light. | “Men,” said the officer commanding, | “I am proud to pin this medal on the breast of Patrick Dolan—a Briton and !a hero! And, under a special order, | 1 shall also place £35 to his credit in ! the bank, as some little reward for | his gallant conduct.” Patrick stepped forward, and, as| heroes do, looked uncomfortable. Still, | | there was one request he wanted to make. | “If—if it’s all the same to For it was an important occasion. | you, | VBNING TALBGRAM LAKELAND, FLA. DEC. 4, Prglirhinagy Talk ful the sun, shining in his face, awaken- I ed him Sunday morning. “Why don't you go on out to the day,” murmured Dalbeck, when teck. “Oh, no—I don't want to do that!” “Why not?" “Do you want me to go?” inquired Dalbeck, in accents of deep reproach. “When Sunday is the only day of the week that I can spend with my family, it s pretty hard lines to find you try- ing to get rid of me!" “Now, James!" sald Mrs. Dalbeck, protestingly. “The {dea that you should think such & thing for a minute! You know I'd rather have you at home than anywhere else on earth!"” “Then of course [ won't go,” Dalbeck srid with a skilifully revealed sigh. “Not if you don't want me to. wife wants, even at the cost of his personal inclinations, and of course I'd rather stay at home with you—" “Why, it would spoil my whole day!"” | interrupted Mrs, Dalbeck, “if you gave | up & beautiful time in the country just because you thought 1 was selfish enough to make you etay at home! 1 want you to go!" “Henrietta,” said Dalbeck, ‘“do you suppose for one instant that you can deceive me? I know perfectly well that you are holding your disappoint- ment at the idea of a lonely day and are urging me to go merely out of the unselfishness of your nature. I'm not going to take advantage of it. Any- how, I really don't care about playing golf today. I hadn't even thought of it until you spoke, and you see I didn't jump at the idea then. rather stay at home.” “Nonsense,” said Mrs, Dalbeck, “If you stayed at home this beautiful day my conscience would reproach me, James. We may not have any more nice Sundays this fall, and it will do you good to get outdoors. I am per- fectly willing for you to go, because I know you need the exercice. A man of your age doesn't exercise nearly enough, and—" “Oh, 8o you are dissatisfied with my figure, are you?" inquired her husband in tones of deepest reproach. “I know I'm not an Apollo, but I didn't think—" “James!” cried Mrs. Dalbeck. “You are perfectly stupid. I was just trying to make excuses for you to go—" “Aha!” sald her husband. “Your words plainly show that you honestly don't feel that I should go! Your real opinion {s that a man is a dub who doesn’t pass Sunday with his famlly, and I agree with you. Where should we find more happiness and pleasure than by the family hearthstone, any- how. I'd lots rather—" “I know you would,” said his wife, “but you must consider your health, James, It is your duty to do so. Please oblige me by doing as I ask and go- ing out to the club!” “I haven't the least desire to go,” protested Dalbeck. “Somehow I don't feel up to it. It may rain, anyhow—" “The sun never shone brighter,” in- terrupted Mrs. Dalbeck. “Please, James!" Dalbeck looked harassed and then resigned. “I don't see why you make such a fuss about it,” he mourned. “And there isn't time to catch the golf special now, amyhow, If I did | want to go!" “Yes there is,” insisted his wife, “Here are all your clothes ready to Jump into, and I'll bring you up some | coffee while you are dressing. That icluck is five minutes fast, and if you { hurry—here are your shoes and—" “You don't give a fellow time to | think,” Dalbeck grumbled. “You are ‘rushlng me off at such a rate that I don’t get a chance to say a word. It ! doesn’t seem to make any dilference 'to you whether 1 want to go or not, | just so you get your own way. 1—" | “Here's your cap,” said Mrs. Dal | beck, as she opened the inside door, é“and if you hurry you can just make I the train!™ She watched Dalbeck leap and van- !ish around the corner, and then she | smiled to herself. “I suppose he has to | 80 through all that formula every time to ease his conscience,” she said. “Hello,” Dalbeck was saying on the station platform to three other men | in golf attire. “I came near missing the train this morning, I tell you—I got | so interested making my objections to going as artistic as possible. But they worked beautifully.” Very Convenient. An enterprising builder was one day | in conversation with several friends, | when he was accused of using inferior | materials in the construction of houses which he had recently built. A hot argument ensued. in the | midst of which a gentleman arrived who dived in ome of the jerry-built ! cottages, and the matter was referred joined the big Graham home with the | corr,” he blurted out, “T'd rather ve'd to him. fittle bungalow they rented out in pin the €5 note on me chist, and summer. Like a deer she flew, never once looking back at the house she had left open and lighted from one end to the other. Presently she stopped short and pulled the shawl tightly about her. her blood seemed to stop ia eourse. its place the medal to me credit at the bank, sorr!"—London Mirror. | Which Is Worse? “Weel, sirs,” said he, “I can assure ve they are the malst convenient hooses I ever abode in.” “But,” said one of the listeners, “why convenient dae ye say?" “Oh, haud yer wheest till 1 explain. | “Many a man has never recovered y.p frst [ cam to bide in Mr. Jerry's “Ob-h!” she shricked. “Ob-h!" and from the blow when some woman turl- paee | had to rise I' the middle o' the ed him down.” | “And many a man has mever recov- night an’ open the door to let oot the cat; but the cat can gang oot an' Before her, picking steps stealth- ered from the blow when some WOR: .om in noo thro' the sracks, an’ I'm fly through the little woodland trail | an turned him up” 1 | saved a lot o' bother."—Tit-Bits i “It certainly is going to be a beauti- | golf club, then?" inquired Mrs, Dal- ' I be- | lieve it's a man's duty to do as his! I'd lots ' ’ NOTICE OF ELECTION. A Special Election is hereby called in and for the City of Lakeland, state of Florida, to be held on the 40th day of December, A. D. 1911, 'sor the purpose of submitting to the ualified veters of the City of Lake- lund the question of issuing Munic- ipal Bonds for the purpose of con- sructing a system of Sewerage, pav- ing streets and Sidewalks, and | orecting Public Buildings, including a4 Fire Station, Jail and enlarging |the City Hall. Said Election to be held and certified in accordance with the Ordinances of the City of Lake- land providing for the holding and certifying of general Elections, ex- cept as provided by Ordinance num- her 132, calling said Bonding Elec- tion. Three Bond Trustees shall be clected at said Election, who shall ccmpose a Doard of Public Works. JOHN F. (OX, Mayor of the City of Lakeland ORDINANCE NUMBER 132, An Ordinance providing for the calling and holding of an Election in and for the City of Lakeland, fori the purpose of voting on the guestion of izeuinz Municipal Bonds by the| City of Lakeland, and for the elee- Ition of three Trustees for gaid Bond | | lszne, and the disbursement of the !tunds derived from the sale of said Bonds, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUN- ClL, OF THE CITY OF LAKE- LAND: Section 1. That an Election is hereby called in and for the City of ;Lakvlnnd. in the State of Florida, | for the purpose of voting for or against the issue of Municipal Bonds by the City of Lakeland, for the following amounts and purposes: Seventy-five Thousand Dollars | ($75,000.00) for the purpose of putting in, constructing and operat- ing a system of Sewerage in the City of Lakeland. Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,- 000.00) for the purpose of paving Streets and Sidewalks in the City of Lakeland. Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,- 000.00) for the purpose of erecting Public Buildings, including Fire Station and Jail, and enlarging City Hall, for the use of the City of Lake- land. Sec. 2. Only resident Electors, who are otherwise qualified to vote in the General Election of the City of Lakeland, who own real estate with- in the City of Lakeland, and who have paid taxes thereon for the last year for which taxes were due, shall be qualified to vote in said Election See. 3. Notice of said Election shall be given by the Mayor for thirty (30) days, next preceding said Election, by publishing the same in a newspaper published In the City of Lakeland, according to law, Sec. 4. The Ballots to be used at sald Election ghall be drawn so that land, conditioned for the faithful performance of taelr duty. Sec. 6. Saild Election shall be called and held, and the returns thereof certified in the same manner as other Elections. Sec. 7. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Sec. 8. This Ordinance shall take cffect immediately upon its passage| Bartow. and approval by the Mayor. 1 hereby certify that the forego- ing Ordinance, number 132, was duly passed by the City Council of Lakeland, on the 28th day of No- vember A. D., 1911 H. L. SWATTS, City Clerk. Approved by me this 29th day of|Ch'm., Fort Meade; W, ; 1911, JOHN F. COX, Mayor. November A. D. A BAD BARGAIN. A story is told of a man who, when coming back with an empty bag from a chooting expedition, saw a num- ber of ducks in a pond, while near- by a man was leaning on a fence watching them. The sportsman asked: “What will you take for a shot at the ducks?" “\Well," said the man thoughtful- fy, ‘' take five dollars.” “Done,” said the other and he fired into the middle of the flock, killing a dozen or more. “l1 am afraid you made a bad bargain,” he said laughing. “l don't know about man replied: *‘They're ducks.” that,” not the my First Users of Tobacee. The tendeney now is to rob the North American Indian of the credit of having given to civilisation the boon of tobacco. Bome ascride ita origin to the Medes and Persians, others to the inhabitants of the Malay archipelago, and still others to the Arabs in general. There appears to be an Arablan word “sakara,” mean- ing to smoke, from which our words cigar and cigarette may have been de- rived. Paper Box Industry Large. Paper box making, one of the new but very important industries of this country, has made its greatest prog: ress during the last half century, and particularly within the last twenty years, after modern miachinery bhad been introduced. The bueiness has |g faith that urges man to pray buile asrumed wonderful proportions in New York city, where the capital in- vestment exceeds $5,000,000. ' land. ;lummod up in three words OFFICIAL DIRECToRy County Officers. Clerk—A. B. Ferguso, i Supt. Public Instryc: . T. Kirk, Bartow. Sheriff—John Logay County Judge—W & Bartow. Tax Collector—J, Tax Collector—F, A |, tow. Treasurer—J. T, Harm County Commission;- Whidden, Ch'm., Mulb.;; . Lewis, Bartow; R. F. 1.1, Meade; J. E, Bryant, Ki F. Holbrook, Lakeland School Board.—nR. W den, Bartow; J. A. (oy, ) T. B. Kirk, Secretary, 1: State Senator—D. H. = Lake Members of House— o Bartow; Geo. Fortner, 1’ City Officers. Mayor—Jno, F. Cox Marshal—W. H. Tillis Clerk and Treasurer- 1 1 .. City Attornty—Epp- 1 City Council—W, & » Mayes, G. E. Southard, \ J. M. Keen, H. D I Eaton. An2e, State Officers Governor—A, W. (il hassee, Secretary of State ford, Tallahassee. Comptroller—A. . (v hassee. Treasurer—W. V. Knot, T see. Attorney-General nell, Tallahassee. Commissioner of Agriuliuraj E. McLin, Tallahasee. Supt. of Public Instruction—Wa, M. Holloway, Tallahassee Rallroad Commissioners 403 Park M Trig. R. Hud: son Burr, Chairman; Newton A Blitch, Royal C. Dunn. W ¢ Yo, Secretary. All communicatiom should be addressed to Tallahassee President of the Senate—Fred P Cone, Lake City. Philosophy of Health. This philosophy of health may be Work, wash and pray.” The greate i blest Ing that man enjoys—ae is realized= is his ability and opportunity 10 work Habits of personal cleanliness elcvil and civilize man. The firm holding of character and forms habits that lead him to high places of thought «nd ex deaver. VWAAWY VWAWWWWYW Clough Shoe Co. .NOTHING BUT SHOES... etil T hor AN Ve tor or- AEITRES We sell at regular prices and give a discount o cach Bond issue proposed. Sec. 5. There shall be elected at said Election three Bond Trustees, who shall compose the Board of Pub- lic Works, and who shall negotiate the sale of said Bonds, according to the Charter of the City of Lakeland, and receive the funds derived from cald sale, and who shall have power to contract for the construction of the improvements for which said honds were issued, and disburse the funds derived from sale of same. Each of said Bond Trustees so selected shall give bond in a sum to be fixed and approved by the City Council, payable to the City of Lake- SO000V0! 4 > 0000 | b S . Lufsey’s ; THE PLACE OF Better Things g &.awvwwxm AAAAAAAAAAMN Ice Cream ‘ Candies r 4 74 e '~<' OBDOBOBOOBOBOOGOBOIMDIOOOD HOHOHIOIOVOIHOVCTOs 5 per cent. YOUR GAIN OUR LOSS Only exclusive shoe store in Lakelaad. All the latest styles---Call and see for yourself And what shall it be this Christmas? That perplexing, pleasing puzzle what t© give your family for Christmas is likel! occupying a large share of your thought: it this time. Allow us to suggest somethii: entirely unique as a Christmas preser:t and y¢t thoroughly practical. A “Standard” **\Nodern Bathroom”” which fills EaT all the requirements of a present; dainty, beautiful and moreover will be a constant pleasure and daily re- minder for years. Ask for Bath Booklet. L. k. H. CO. S —— Standarnd” “‘Copley” Lar-7