The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-09

OF course. agreed Reba, sympa
thetically. And IL think Of anything
Ill write at once. In the meantime
whatever you do. Martha. be practical
and daring. humorous il possible
That's the modern method Of doing
things. and I must say it seems to be
effectual!" The twins waved a las,
adieu and the train bore them swiftly
of.
Martha turned away. her mind full
of the conversation Of the afternoon
Instead Of going directly home, she
turned rather aimlessly into a side
! street. She wanted to think it all Out
again. though there was not q single
part Of her dilemma that she had moi
gone over many times before. She
hated to own. even to herself, how
much she cared. but she did care very
much. She admitted It with 4 little
catch Of the heart.
And she was sure that he did. too
That was the queer part Of It all. The
man loved her, she knew he did
There were thousand little ways OF
telling. And they had been so happy
together. 20 congenial from the begin.
ming. A sudden moisture blurred her
eyes.
Martha winked quickly to clear her
vision. turned corner, and halted
abruptly with surprise at what she
saw. DR.. Jeffries' little empty run.
about stood before her at the curb.
Evidently the doctor was making q
call inside the house.
With the sight, swift idea leaped
into Martha's head.
Practical, daring, humorous. I'll
do it," She looked carefully around
to see II she were observed. It was a
quiet. questionable neighborhood, no
one happened to be passing. Martha
walked up to the car and seated her.
self beside the drivers seat.
For Ave minutes she waited, her
heart nearly sitting her with its ex.
cited jumping. then the door opened
and DR.. Jeffries ran lightly down the
steps.
At the sight of her he stopped stock
still, and his face went white. Then
he gathered himself.
I'm sorry to have kept you wait.
ing" he addressed her. with smile
"Oh, haven't minded waiting in the
least" she returned politely.
He went around in front and crank.
ed the car, then took his place beside
her and they were away.
Calmly DR.. Jeffries drove the little
car across the town. past the small
houses of the outskirts. and struck
out for the country. His face was
tranquil. but Martha. stealing a glance
from the corner of her eye. noticed
that the hand which moved the levers
trembled. She herself could not have
spoken had her life depended on it.
On they sped, over the country road
now running beside a scamperine
brook. now leaving it while they pass
ed through patches of woodland. cool
and sweet. The way was familiar to
them both. ii had been a favorite route
for the drives of the early summer
Finally. at one of the wooded places
DIR. Jeffries' energy seemed to relax
The car slowed down. and for the first
time its driver turned and looked into
the face of the girl beside him.
Are you really here?" he asked
slowly. "Or is it all a dream?"
Martha laughed softly. ITS a
dream" she answered. with saucy
CLEAN in her eye.
Then | hope may never wake
up" calculated the doctor. fcrvently
at is a pleasant dream" agreed
Martha, amiably
ITS heavenly" Then. after a
pause. "Now tell mo what part OF the
dream is the hint that Jerome Holden
cave me that You and he were rrac.
ideally cngagcd?"
"Oh. he didn't really. did he? The
coward! Oh. | could almost -
words failed her.
Then" persisted the doctor. oaaor-
ly. that hGeous nightmare has no
place in our dream
no place ut Ill. steadily.
Or. Icffrirs brought the car To "A sud.
den stop. turned It around, and beam
10 hasten back Ia town with AL tho
motors power
"Why. what are yea going 10 do
asked Martha in surprise.
I'm going 10 take ven home, where
I horc IA be- invited in'o Tho house.
I've some things la say before wake
M. BESIDES. cau a man drive n car
and do-an>ihnE cl.c9' demanded
pr Faul lcflries.