The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-08
Slow Stephan

They al laughed at Stcph' 4 vita
The careloss unkindness Of youth and
the burden OF their laughter was that
he was 50 slow. e even was slow
at reserting their fun at his expense.
Like most biz persons, stephan moved
pond rnusly and his speech was heavy
and slow. Something in his mild buc
eyes seemed to question, but thai
was al the nctice he took OF tn
others taunts.
The reason that he had so little
time TO devote to worrying over his
countrymen's opinion OF him was that
Sterhan's mind was taken up with
Rosa to The exclusion of all else. He
had fallen in love instantly with her
pert little smiling face and charming
ways. Rosa darted across the line OF
Stephans vision and left him gasp
ing, figuratively speaking. Sometimes
he gasped in reality-that was when
Rosa turned the batteries of her
quick wit upon him and left his mind
whirling because of his inability to
reply to one speech before she at
tackled him again. She laughed at
him along with the others, yet she
did not seem displeased at his de-
v0tiOn.
Stephan was good looking. although
AhiC foot ho6 uovor nccurrod to him
He was modest, and allowed himself
to be elbowed out Of the way by
others more audacious II less worthy.
Rosa was always surrounded by ad.
mirers and Stephan lurked dismally
In the background, patiently waiting
for a glance in bis direction. Rosa's
glances came his way at times.
Stella, who was Rosa's most inti-
mate friend, jeered Rosa for being
fond of her slow admirer.
why do you waste time on Ste
phan?" demanded Stella. 'He is so
big-and so slow! lie never dances
or anything! lie just sits and looks
mt you"
Maybe that's it," Rosa answered
with toss of her head.
Stella shrugged her shoulders. II
like some one who is gay. myself"
she said. "Some one like Josef"
Rosa smoothed her apron and
frowncd. Josef was very attentive to
her. lie had sparkling eyes and a
little mustache. which he kept curled
and sharply pointed. and he made
pretty speeches on the spur of the
moment and was very sure of him
self. Rosa fiirted with Josef and led
him on, but that was merely girlish
cOquetry. and she shrank from any
thing more. OF late Josef had
wearied her
Stella, watching Rosa, burst out Of
a sudden. Il suppose you think you'll
catch some one grander than Josef
but let me tell you--"
Rosa turned on her. "Oh, josef"
she mimicked. why don't you mar.
~ him yourself IL you think he's so
fine? I would il I liked him as much
as you do"
Stella. routed. retreated. scarlet OF
face and vengeful Of mind. Rosa, as
| II to prove her power. was kinder to
Josef and paraded him before Stella
and the others. Perhaps this unusual
leniency on her part really pleased
him. for he seemed more natural and
sincere. Rosa even thought she had
misjudged him There seemed more
to Josef than she had surmised-per-
haps he was not such a shallow man
after all.
Before she knew how II happened
she found herself engaged to marry
Josef. All the other girls envied her
and the excitement of preparing for
the wedding bore her up. Rosa as
sured herself that she was happy.
This usually was after she had caught
n glimpse of Stephan, in the back
ground as usual, looking dumb devo-
ton at her.
Stephan had n very sober face these
days. The thought of him irritated
Rosa strangely Once when Josef
spoke slightingly of him Rosa had
started to reply furiously. but bit her
lip and was sullcnly silent She knew
Josef would not care for her anger.
She had grown to feel that he did
not care deeply for anything.
Stephan had been asked TO the we'd
ding. which was at the church AT an
| early hour. hut he WAS not there.
He'd he late TO his own wedding"
some one laughed. so why not at
anothcr's?'
Some one else was missing-the
bridegroom. At first there was only
/ restlessness on the part of those who
were waiting. then came whisperings
and surmises. After an hour mes
sengcr WAS sent and reported that
Josef had not been at home for two
days.
Stephan arrived as they were trying
TO calm The historical Rosa. desolate
| i'm her wedding finery. 1t was an hour
and half after the time set for the
wedding. For moment Stephan
| looked at tho veeping girl and his