The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-26

II was then that something really
b,rpened. 1t took the girl on her
guard. and left her speech!ess. ana
u;t,e white, for she was tender OF
a2..t. and would no, have hurt ny.
80 you asked n.e-ioT ihe romance
ce !t-and Of NE"
She had not word to say but he
searched the sincere face turned brave
~ 10 his look in the bright moonlight.
ana found only truth and kindness
there.
DO YOU know what the romance OF
me is?"
She shook fer head and faltered
out. 1T is romance to discover a new
-nerson-a new friend, to find the
things that are hidden in people. l
meant rothing-but kindness-pleas-
ure TO myself and you and the rest!
You know that. You were always at
the desk, but silent. | knew you could
not be unlike other people, knew
you were really neutrality-suspicious.
are"
"You--have found me, certainly"
he Interrupted: you were bound to do
that, you couldn't have helped your
self. But do you know what you have
! found? You couldn't even guess at
the romance of it," He stopped mo-
ment, and babe her sit beside him on
fallen tree The summer breeze
rustled the leaves, night-brd whis-
tied and the moon shOne. Diana was
very still-she had long known that
which she dared not admit to herself.
She waited for him.
We'll" he said, II am your punish
ment for the day am at least dis
cerning-and you take to 1t like
sportsman You meant to be kind to
an of1iceridden wretch who might
have been free six months ag0-but
for YOU
What do you mean?" she asked.
seeing that he waited for question.
81 mean that it is not easy to leave
til ~ ~ WHY sou iIuhN DNNH AVA ASh
years, Wen you like everybody, and
your work has made a rut in your
brain. don't know howto use it.
Use yorr brtil.- ,iSr what"
81 e-E0ey lis staple words
left hev UaGa!ightyeel Dgtir went on
Il doa'; hG to '9 leisure
And ! conIdAi ,a 'h nco while
yca ,.ela IA II / ayer slowed YOU
how | felt y, ~ + did /? had
pride erca. aj to 10 thar, especially
when the boss amt you when he in
tended to--ask >vu to marry him
Sh. flushed. Are you utterly crazy?"
she asked "You must know-that
never could think of Mr.. Hartley
he"
Robert Peasy began to. talk 81
think | can put The case plainly, d.
ana. In short, six months ago a rela.
tive left me lot Of money and a
home. 1t should have been mine as
an orphan child, but | was cheated
out Of it. have lived drudge's life.
The relative was woman, and be.
cause she was what she was, I have
hated women. That was until two
years ago when you came to Hartley's
| loved you'll loved you, but I knew
nothing about love. nor how to tell
you, and knew you could not love
me. | made myself content with see
ing you every day. have done utter.
ly romantic things. Can you believe
that I have picked up withered flow.
ers you have worn and followed you
home and passed your house at night,
wondering which window was yours,
for all the world like a boy in q story?
Did you know"
She shook her head.
And when this money came had
hope for day or two. Then-I hap
pened to overhear what wasn't meant
for mel knew how the boss"
He wouldn't-dare to love mel"
the tears came, and as she turned to
him he put an arm about her. It came
very easy and naturally. He found
that love.making does not have to be
learned, and drew her close to him
and held her there.
Forgive me-" he said. "but it's
heaven to me-"
"What-do you-think It is to me-
You foolish. foolish" She lifted her
head and pushing him away sprang up
and stood lightly before him holding
her hands clasped like happy child.
Il think" she said that have been
as good at keeping a-romance to my
self as you are. think We are both
stupid-esrecially you. Can't you
guess my romance" He rose and
reached for her, but she evaded him.
Tell me" he pleaded Il dare not
guess. Tie guess would be to please
myself, Diana"
That might net be-far wrong"
"Diana-jo you-care?" She came
TO him willingly enough this time, but
rot for long. She jumped up and pull.
ed him with her.
We mustn't miss that car
He wondered why they mustn't. He
did not care about the car, but a WON.
an always has her reasons. He meek
~ accepted her decision-for this &C.