The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-12

Carter, taking stock with himself.
realized that he was becoming a mere
acquaintance to his old comrade-he
seemed to be coming out Of a daze or
dream Of some sort. and wondered
how he could have allowed it. He
was still painting pot-boilers- had
a mother to support-but doing nne
work also by leaps and bounds.
One bright March morning he beg
cared himself for an armfui of datIo-
dis and went straight to Fairlie's
studio. The sign was out, but he
knocked, and then went In. Fairlie
flashed at him where she stood in
paint apron. holding her palette. be-
fore the easel where she was work.
ing. He felt leagues away. though
she smiled.
60 AWAY John! Genius burns!
Look at this-of the old wood in win.
ter-and then DEPART" He came over.
gave word OF hearty praise to the
work, and then took the girls palette
away from her. He clasped both her
hands in his. despite her.
''Fairlie. what's the matter with
you? For months you have not been
like yourself. You have somehow
shut me out of the old friendship
and | simply won't have It. Have
done anything? Tell mel" She trem-
bled in his grasp. but made herself
meet his gaze and pulled her hands
away. She spoke very calmly. al
most nOnchalantly.
Nonsense, John. We have simply
both been very busy. OF course you
haven't done anything!' am glad
you are doing 20 we'll" He stood
looking at her.
John. I'm glad you came in. u
gives me chance to tell you before
| tell any one else that I am going
to marry Stephen Kingston. It"
His gaze Of utter establishment made
her pause. "Why-not!" she asked.
why mott" he repeated. you
can't love him, Tairlie. And II you
did It would be horrible for you. Moth.
Ing but money and society. You know
you wouldn't work. There would b
no stimulus. Nothing fine and high
and driving to keep you at it, death.
~ ease that any artist must hight
Fairlie. don't you see-you always
have, little comrads-that the strug.
gle. the necessity. ID good for usf"
She tried to stop him. but could not
Il don't care II you have promised
him. I shall tell you what came 70
Gay. that I love you better than any.
body else In the world knows how to.
You shall not do II, child. Do you
want tor
A knock came at the door, and to
save herself from giving way 70 her
own heart, she cried Come hi"
Mrs. Jerry entered. With her were
Kittie. several danes Of their world.
and negligible man or two. Last
came Stephen Kingston. Fairlie had
not told John that the man was still
waiting for her answer. They ali
gathered about her and John Carter,
who was measuring with a keen eye
the sleek assurance Of the other man.
I'VE came to see your winter pic.
ture," breezed Mrs. Jerry. I'VE knew
you wouldn't mind our passing the
busy guard. Mr.. Carter has also
done It," She was congratulating
herself secretly on having helped Ste.
phen Kingston to see so much Of the
pretty artist. Her matches seemed
likely to come off as scheduled-by
her.
At that moment naughty boy with
an Icy ball Of melting snow forever
settled the case Of Stephen King.
stOn's aspiration to marry Fairlie. The
boy flung the ball-it shattered to q
thousand bits the window which Fair.
lie had just stepped up to raise.
At the crash all the women
screamed. Fairlie did not move, but
cried out. her nerves gone to nothing.
glass raining about her.
John! joint" All her heart was
In that call, and in an instant John
Carter had her in his arms. forgetting
the others, who were crowding about
He shook away the broken glass and
found her uninjured. But he did not
let her 60. and she chung to him.
trembling. The awful strain Of the
winter had told on her. and she was
weaker than she knew. Finally the
man heard little giggle from kittie.
He drew Fairlie back toward the
hearth, and she pulled away from him,
trying to laugh, but the tears were on
her cheeks.
IL was so-frightened. didn't
sleep last night" she said nervously.
but John Carter hushed her. He
smiled, facing the others.
ITS informal enough. the an.