The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-11

cred her voice the room was empt,
and quiet. but for the little Frencl
clock on the mantel.
The next afternoon she dressed TO
the matinee with rockies abandon
In spite of her efforts to forget. Georg'
Everton's serious face would come be
tween her and the mirror.
II will simply put him out Of m!
life." she said tragically. pinning {
huge bouquet of violets on her ful
coat as she Joined Lefty Blair.
"You are simply stunning" said hel
friend, enviously. Il don't blame
Harry Esmond for being in love will
you"
Alicia laughed. II doubt whether he
has ever really seen me-" But a note
that was delivered to her after the
theater compelled her to think other
wise 1t read:
Dear Lady Of the Violets:-
"Will you not meet me at the stage
entrance as soon as this performance
is over and allow me the pleasure OF
telling you what an inspiration you
are to me? Something tells me that
behind your beautiful eyes there is a
soul akin to mine Truly.
"HARRY ESMOED."
Alicia and Lefty hurried into near.
by tearoom to decide upon a course
of action.
go, of course" advised Lefty. II
am crazy to see what he looks like on
the street" Together they went back
to the stage door where a man with
very dark eyebrows and lashes was
waiting for them. He wore a very
much padded tan overcoat with a fur
collar.
"The gods are good" he said jovial.
~. SHALL We walk down the avenue
this pleasant afternoon"
The girls found themselves swinging
along while the actor piled them with
questions which would have aroused
Alicia's suspicious under ordinary con.
ditiOns. AS 1t was she was trying to
realize that she was actually talking
to man whose name was on the bill
in huge letters.
Before leaving he bent over Alicia.
Tomorrow" he said in a low tone,
"you must take dinner with me alone,
just you"
She murmured assent and sped
home. AS she rode downtown next
day she remembered that he had for.
gotten to appoint meeting place or
she had forgotten It.
Il will 60 behind the scenes" she
said. ut will do no harm for once. .
ayes, miss said the man at the
door. ale is in his dressing.room. but
you must wait here until send in a
message"
To escape the curious glances of the
stage hands she slipped into recess
of the wings, and was waiting quietly
when angry voices on the other side
Of the thin partition startled her. The
mans tone was cold and sneering, the
woman's high and shrill.
"You baby snatcher," the latter
cried. II will write to her father"
"You had better confine your dra
MATES to the boards. Glenn" the man
replied coldly. "They would he better
appreciated there. am going to dc
as I please. The girls a peach and
don't intend to have my fun spoiled.
At the coarse words the scales
dropped from Alicia's eyes. She
looked for a way to escape. but see
ing none. turned disdainfully TO meet
this vulgar loafer whose friendship
she was suddenly ashamed of.
He came up on her suddenly. bu,
his equanimity was undisturbed
"Why away in here. little girlo" he
said insolently. taking her arm. q
did"
stop" she ordered. II have made
a mistake. was to meet gentle
man. He Is not here" Dashing h,
him she found the street door and
haling a taxicab. gave the chauffeu,
an address.
George Everton. going over hi,
books. after the regular business o.
the day. was surprised by swish q
draperies and the pressure of two soi
hands on his eyes.
Alicia" he exclaimed. and as h,
was released. a tear splashed on hi.
hand. and he looked into a very re
pentant face.
Il don't see why you want 10 marry
such little idiot. as | am. George.
she said contritely, but If you do.
am ready"
Parks was never In II with me
Alicia" her lover replied. his arm
closing around her.
She Was Willing.