The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-17

had her ont sleighing and asked her
10 name the day. Then she said, !
don't expect to marry you. Gregory
I'm oldfashioned enough to want TO
be In love, foolishly in love with the
man | marry It's hard on me. 1or
people will say
only your pride is hurt. Gregory
laid Betty.
Have it your way Your sister
!elen is looking for you. I'm going
COW"
May see you tomorrow night! ]
must. Betty"
I'll have to tell flb. for We have
a dinner on at Carey's and . dance
0mewhere afterward. but Ill man.
ge TO have headache and stay
ONE" she promised
Some time during the day q patient
.ound occasion to say. Il saw you
With Miss Betty Gaines last night. |
oppose you know that she Tilted Greg.
Dry 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
nteryened to save his pride.
1t was very charming Betty In
soft cinglng white gown. shorn of
her jewels, a 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 rudy
glow from the fire. She seemed
priestess of the dawn to Latimer and
he sci 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 1t been a hard day? Are you
very tired" she asked quietly.
The note OF sympathy stirred his
anger
NO." he flupg out. work. why. |
work as II my task were made for
me- Work Is the one thing In lifa
on which a man may confidently de.
pend 1t is the only thing that never
fails him at crucial time"
why this sudden and vehement
bitterness. Bob"
He had not heard her call his name
for two years and the sound Of her
voice calling him thus. stirred the
strings Of his heart, but failed to set
them In tune with her gentler spirit.
Men have their work: women. moth.
Ing but amusement. which 10 usually
found In making those same men
fools at one time or another. never
loved but one woman and loved her
because thought she was honest and
true"
Are you talking about me, Bobr
Betty's eyes were dark with fire.
Today" he said. ignoring her ques-
ton. Il have heard from two Of your
sister Helen's best friends that you
are engaged to a nobleman who 10 to
arrive In New York tomorrow. Yet
last night you allowed me to make .
fool Of myself II hurts. Betty"
Have you no faith In me? VIII
you believe the sickly gossip Of idle
women In preference to the truth from
the woman you claim to love?"
Il love you. Betty. The dream Of
you has helped me fight and In a
measure--win. When found you
again. and you were not married, my
love nared up into a consuming pas
sion. You are the only thing | want
In this world. Do you mean, can you
mean." he asked. incredulously, his
brain whirling at the look In her face.
that you are not going TO marry that
foreign DEVIL
lie leaned over her chair. looking
deep in her eyes.
Betty" he said; Betty. do you
love me-"
lie lifted her 10 her feet
Isis that surgeons coat big
enough for two"
Yes" he whispered. his lips al her
white forehead, and the pockets big
,nough for Cupid"