Lakeland Evening Telegram Newspaper, April 4, 1912, Page 7

BISIRA B ISR Robin Adair By Lester Martin e e e R e A i | (Copyright, 111, by Associated Literary Press) | ' “When you have finished pirkiugg the berries off that hedge, Jack, I shall | be much relieved.” FEdith leaned over the garden gate and laid a protesting | hand upon her lover's arm. “Don't joke, honey."” Jack drew her nearer to him. “I am trying so hard to see your point of view and I sim- ply cannot imagine you all alone in London singing your heart out and no one really caring as 1 do.” “Why, Jack, you silly boy, don’t spoil our last evening together. I ex- pect to be home for Christmas and I should think you would be glad I am going to have such a great u;nportun-' ity. Just think! how good of the dear old rector to pay all my expenses and give me my training just because he likes my voice and thinks 1 will make a famous singer. And here you are spoiling it all!™ A little sob of self- pity. a sudden sense of loneliness, and the pretty curly head was hidden in Jack's ccat. “Dearfe, my love will help me to un- derstand, only—always remember it things do not go just right and you J0UR CARELESSNESS is the only reason why you have not yet rented one of our private safe 1y deposit boxes, and put your valu- ables and papers—will and d ceds and contracts in our fire and | said, THE EVENING TELEGRAM LAKSLAND, Fiot, 100 i£ you look—well, the way you do now, you needn’'t worry about your success. Do your prettiest, and who knows what wonderful things may come your way,” and taking her lit- tle hand he Kkissed it in mock hom- age. “What a strange child you are,” he as she hastily withdrew her hand. “But tha: soon wears off, my sweet little wild flower. Well, I must be geing now. Don’t be late this even- ing’ As the door closed Edith picked up | a flufly little kitten curled up near the open fire and buried her face in its' warm fur, ' Not until Edith found herself in a hansom on her way to the hall did she realize how different was her | ., feeling from what she imagined it would be at this moment. Her voice was in good form, evorything had gone right, and yet she was not happy. *Oh, here you are, Miss Murden!” exclaimed Mr. Lawler. “You will find the ladies In there. Don'i talk much and keep your throat warm. With a business wave of his hand he indicat- ed the artists’ room. “Nervous?” he addded. “Not at all,” laughed FEdith, so grateful Yor his impersonal manner, “and 1 hope I shall repay you for all vour kindness." As Edith disappeared a slight smile erept around his thin lips. | Meanwhile Edith. feeling assured are not happy, why, I shall be longing for you every minute, and the farm, I am thinking, needs a mistress bad- | “There, Jack, I know every word of that story by heart, so don't worry me any more,” she said. 3 A glorious morning and two whole hours before breakfast! Quickly dress- ing. she crept quietly past her aunt's door, realizing, with a little catch of her breath, that even this home so grudgingly given herewould be hers no longer. up. TODAY, bring in your v aluables and rent a private bo)f. FIRST NATIONAL BANK LAKELAND Under Control of U. 8. Government. burglar proof vaults, The rent of & private box for a whole year costs only $5 and Suddenly, through the sharp, crisp ajr, she heard Jack's clear whistle and her mind unconsciously supplied R T g ———|the words to the old, familiar strain, T “And for Bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me down and die."” ) Hiding herself behind some shrubs ) N O W o P E N she waited until the melody died away, then lifting her head she sang ) Jack’s favorite sonrg, “itobin Adair,” ) ;nll o; m:sl:: and purity of tolne ”llt om heard In so0 youn voice. : SANlTARY PLU M BlNG seemed as tho:gh‘)thle Kbl:da stopped e B B N e S I Ao e S sStgores ’ - , INSTITUTION ) : Plumbing, Low Pressure Steam and Hot Water K Heating, All Kinds of Pipe Fittings and Sewer- B age Work Furnished and lustalled by Practical ) Fxperienced Mechanics. All jobbing appre- @ ciated. Neat and Prompt Service and Guaran- g teed. Phone 298 ) § Office and Show Rooms With the Florida ) Electric & Machinery Co., Drane Building ) t W. E. O'NEILL ’ ] [} ) Plumber and Sanitary Engineer Lakeland, i - Florida IAAAAAAAAAAAAAA She Sang Jack's Favorite Song. to listen. Haunting in its sweetness, and yet wanting—in what? And Jack, wondering, hoped that the price to be paid for the “something wanting” ! might be paid by him if possible. Per- haps he was paying a wee bit on ac- {count now, and smiling bravely he whistled an obligato to the last few ROSEDALE Lake e o inosluaive notes. eland : 0"]‘ exclusive “A real morning concert, sir, and sub-divisi i complimentary at that,” said Edith. - n?w on the “I am glad you sang the dear old market, \Wide Streets, Shade song, homey, and I think if ever you needed me I should answer to it even it you were far across the geas.” . . | Slowly the train drew into St. Pan- Inside the city eras station. The rector, lowering the window, sniffed the smoky London air with real pleasure. It was neither fresh nor clean, but it was London, and there is nothing on earth like it to an old Londoner. A confusion of porters, luggage and cabs and they were soon submerged in the endless traffic of Euston road. Three months passed quickly for Edith. Glowing accounts of her little triumphs found their way to Jack’s lonely home, and in the evening he would walk over to the rectory where the two would spend many an hour predicting a glorious career for the girl so dear to them. “And do you think all is well with her, sir?” “Of course it is, my dear boy. must not mind the admiration of oth- ers, you of all men. And this agent, Lawler, why, it is just her voice, he is interested in. And that is business, just business.” “Oh, well, that's all right™ There was great relief in the hand shake and the cheery good night as Jack took his precious letter and climbed the home hill, whistling for company. The rector stood listening to the musical voice as it twisted and turned the old melody of “Annie Laurie” into a good marching tune. Then with a whispered “God bless them both,” he closed the door. Trees, Fertile Soil, Building Restrictions. one block from Lake Morton Smith & Steitz and G. C. Rogan Rooms 19-23 Raymondo Bidg. When you take a walk or ride, gothrough Rosedale the newest part of Lakeland You 1 R. L. MARSHALL CONTRACTOR AND BUILDER Vill furnish plang and specifications or will follow any plans and specifications furnished. BUNGALOWS A SPECIALTY. “And you really want me to sing tonight at the Royal Albert hall in place of Mme. Paula. Oh, Mr. Lawler, do you think I can do it?” “Why, of course, you can do it. And' Let me show you some Lakeland homes I have built. T Phone 267-Green. FLORIDA her troubles had been wholly imagin- ary, greeted her fellow artists with a bright smile and felt the warm glow of anticipation that means success for the singer. The audience had received the an- nouncement cf the noted soprano’s ill- ness philosophically and was prepared to be pleasantly polite to the substi- tute, “Edith Murden. who is she?” “I never heard of her.” “I hope she is good.” The orchestra had just finished with a brilliant climax and the audience looked with mild curlosity for the new soprano. From behind the ferns and palms came KEdith, the very embodiment of youth and beauty in her simple white gown, here little head held high and a brave smile for this, her first audi- ence. “If she sings as well as she looks she will be a great favorite,” an- nounced one critic Softly and sweetly that true ring. ing voice swelled through the hall, reaching to the uppermost gallery, generous in tone, perfect in produc- tion; and the critic, whose goed word all musclans coveted, nodded com- mendingly. But—lacking in soul was his criticism. Perhaps nervous, and he waived judgment until her second song. Captured by her charm of voice and manner the audience expressed itself in recall after recall, until, breathless, but happy, she found berself alone with Mr. Lawler in the artist's room. “A great success, my dear,” and be- fore Edith realized his intention he had put his arm around her. Frightened, but furious at the in- sult, she tore herself away and she looked like a little queen in her indig- nation. “How dare you!"” she half sobbed. “I would dare again to see you look like that,” he laughed, and his eyes expressed his open admiration. Thankful for the interruption of the accompanist, Edith hurriedly led the way, a great sense of loneliness envel- oping her. Surely months had passed since ghe had faced that audience. “Jack! Jack! I want you. [ need vou!” And she gazed helplessly into that sea of faces. “Angels ever bright and fair, Take, oh, take me to your care!" Her voice, full of entreaty and in- tensity and forgetful of all save her need of love and protection, reached the very hearts of her audience. A wave of emotion swept over the house and tears streamed down the faces of men and women. One breathless minute, then came the thunderous applause. Was this for her? Through her dazed sences the sharp command, “Pick up your flowers.” Instinctively obeying, she stood silent for a mo- ment, then: “Encore!” “Encore!” The accompanist looked at her. “Robin Adair,” she whispered. And like the call of a bird to its mate she sang the song Jack loved. A man tightly grasping the arms of his chalr, with tense face, and eyes aglow with love. gazed at his little sweetheart and knew that she was his. There was nothing wanting now. She was calling to him—to him. As the last note sank into his heart he quickly found his way to the artists’ room. Quietly he awaited her as she received the unstinted applause. “Honey, I am here. You called to me,” he whispered. And with a glad cry she took his outstretched hands. “Take me home, Jack! Oh, take me home! [ want only you and your love.” The Last Luxury. Ten-yearold Arthur nad been tell ing impressivelv of the number of servants emploved in his home. He continued: “And our house is fixed so that if you want a drink, or a window raised, or to yo upstairs, or anyvthing, all you have to do 15 to pull a chain.” “But what do you want with so many servants in that sort of a house?” asked one of his hearers. “Oh,” replied Arthur, “we have the servants to pull the chains."—Judge’s Library. 1t Did. “Did a womanly feeling ever come softly stealing into your life?” “You bet it did. Had my watch kea obce by & pickpocket.” PAGE SEVEN ~ NOTICE! | (. On and after April 1st, all Goods % ¢ Cash. 5 : Lakeland Book Store 3 35‘7”3{9“?“37‘-"}}9?'-"-"‘3 JODOEOIC DI DT DA .'«:»-z)oso:»o&owm-toi : DO OO C'C'C'C’C'OOOC';:‘OM When in need of Drugs and Soda vou will be well pleased if you allow us to serve vou. Quick, Polite and Good Service. Central Pharmacy PHONE 25 0 et Dbl T e e e ] POTATOES BEANS ALL SEEDS Don't send away for such. I have as good as money and experience can command. N. Y. and Eastern grown. Some from other sections wherever the best grow. FRESH, PURE, TRUE, RELIABLE Car of Pure Maine Bliss Potatges ALSO FERTILIZERS D. B. Dickson MAPS, BLUE PRINTS Special attention County and State Chemically prepared, non-fading blue prints at rea- Maps of any description compiled on short notice. given to compiling city, display and advertising maps. maps kept on hand. Speclal rates for prints in large quantities, 0t sonable rates. W Prompt attention given mail orders. South Florida Map and Blueprint Co. Room 213-215 Drane Building LAKELAND, FLA. DOUBLY DAINTY is the sight of a pretty girl buying a box of onr confectionery. The gir} and the camdy match each other per- fectly in daintiness and sweetness. Sitch a scene may often be seen here tor our candies appeal to those of dninty taste, It's surprising that you have not yet tried them. Timber, Turpentine, Cut-over Lands, Choice Colinization Tracts at Low Prices, Florida Homes and Groves on High Rolling Land, Situated on Beautiful Lakes, Paying Straw- beary and Trucking Farms. Weguarantee all property just as represented by us, For reliable information see : Ohlinger & Alfield Opposite New Depot, LAKELAND, FLORIDA. QUOTTFOOOOIIVVVIOD = e Mail Boxes b, All those living on streets specified for free delivery can have mail boxes by calling at LAKE PHARMACY it —— S g . 4 B .5 S S = I a————