The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-11

had her out sleighing and asked her
to name the day. Then she said. I
don't expect to marry you. Gregory.
I'm old-fashiOned enough to want to
be in love. foolishly in love with the
man l marry It's hard on me. for
people will say"
"Only your pride is hurt. Gregory.
said BETTY
Have it your way. Your sister
Helen is looking for you. I'm going
now"
May | see you tomorrow night!
must. Betty"
"I'll have to tell fib, for We have
dinner on at Carey's and a dance
somewhere afterward. but I'll man.
age TO have headache and stay
home" she promised
Some time during the day a patient
found occasion to say. Il saw you
with Miss Betty Gaines last night. l
suppose you know that she Tilted Greg
ory Rhodes to marry titled foreigner
who arrives in New York tomorrow!
She met him abroad this summer"
So Betty had been leading him on
by the look In her eyes the night be-
fore. He bit savagely into his cigar.
thankful that the dear old gossip had
interviewed to save his pride.
1t was very charming Betty In
soft clinging white gown. shorn OF
her Jewels. single blush rose on her
breast. who greeted the surgeon. For
a time he sat silent, afraid to trust
his own voice. He glanced at the girl.
her whole figure bathed In the ruddy
glow from the fire. She seemed a
priestess Of the dawn to I-atimer and
he set his teeth and tried to think OF
some commonplace topic. but his brain
had gone wrong. he concluded. and he
waited for her to speak
Has II been hard day? Are you
very tired?" she asked quietly.
The note Of sympathy stirred his
anger.
NO." he flung out. work. why.
work rs II my task were made fol
me. Work Is the one thing In life
on which a man may confidently de-
pend. 1t is the only thing that never
fails him at a crucial time"
"Why this sudden and vehement
bitterness. B0b?"
He had not heard her call his name
for two years and the sound OF mel
voice calling him thus, stirred tn
strings OF his heart. but failed to SCI
them In tune with her gentler spirit
Men have their work; women. moth
ing but amusement, which Is usual!
found In making those same mel
fools at one time or another. | neve
loved but one woman and loved he
because | thought she was honest ant
true"
Are you talking about me. Bob!
Betty's eyes were dark with fire.
To-day" he said, ignoring her ques
ton. Il have heard from two OF you
sister IIelen's best friends that 20
are engaged TO nObleman who Is
arrive In New York tomorrow. "
last night you allowed me to make
fool Of myself. II hurts. Betty"
, "liave you no faith In me? WI
you believe the sickly gossip OF Id
i. women In preference to the truth frol
, the woman you claim to lOve?'
. Il love you. Betty. The dream
you has helped me fight and in
i, measure-win. When found va
again, and you were not married, m
love fiared up into a consuming Pa
sion. You are the only thing | wal
!, In this world. DO you mean. can yo
;, mean," he asked, incredulously, h
. brain whirling at the look In her fac
:, that you are not going to marry th'
foreign dcvil?"
He leaned over her chair. lookir
deep In her eyes.
Betty" he said; Betty, do "
: love me-"
u lie lifted her to her feet.
Isis that surgeons coat b
> enough for two"
{ YES" he whispered, his lips at III
u white forehead. and the pockets b
! enough for Cupid"