The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-04

bitterly.
Young Gray caught her arm. II
beg your pardon-r nean NO imperti.
nencs-6at would you like % b
thsee!"
"Of course not. I'm nineteen, and
love dancing better than my soul.
And I'm not bad looking besides l
really have got q frock TO wear. But
l shall never wear it-because I won't
have . chance" Louise begun.
her voice tensely bitter.
Kenneth Gray took both her
hands. you shall have the chance"
be said. Il will see to It. Be ready
at 8 o'clock. I'll make It my bust.
ness to find out where you are-and
whom shall ask for"
you don't mean a word Of that
but I'm game for anything" Louise
cried. breaking from his grasp. I'm
Louise Ware. and | live with Mrs.
Cloves" This aloud-to herself she
added: you deserve something
you are the fellow Milly Durham 10
SO deeply in love with. You may
marry-her money-but for this one
night you shall know the difference.
At eleven next night she stood
breathing quickly. and leaning upon
Gray's arm rather heavily. what
time. through her mask. she surveyed
the vivid scene. They had just nm.
isbed rapid two-step-she danced
like thistledown. her soul all in her
tripping feet. her shining eyes. There
would be an hour more Of it-she
meant not to miss . number. I'm.
masking came with the stroke Of
twelve-she would steal away Just BE-
fore it-Kenneth should not affront
with her. openly. his world. He had
been the prince Of gallants. dancing
with her much more than half the
time. and providing partners 80 she
had never been still. Once he had
hurdled through waltz with heavy.
footed Milly.
Milly had on the pink frock. but
Louise no longer envied her. Her
own white Grape, fashioned from an
ancestral shawl. and rich with heavy
embroidery. held its own with the
finest.
She had been masked when hs
came for her-she would 90 away.
letting him have no more than
glimpse OF her face - she said good.
BY At the cab door. She meant he
should leave her there, and 20 back
to finish the evenings pleasure.
you arc giving me something %
remember always" she said 70 him
In the little lull Of the music between
dances.
II am giving you my whole heart"
Kenneth whispered. The music
struck up-they whirlsd joyfully
away to II. But before they had
made the floors round there cane .
Wild CRY Of hrs! The ballroom was
on Tie third floor. and Tie stairs y
II, though broad. we're neither
straight nor hreproof.
Chaos followed The CRY. Kenneth
caught Louise tight In his srms and
ran to the west window. The stairs
were already choked. STILL holding
her, he clambered out on narrow
ledgy stone coping. shutting the sash
behind him. There was chance Of
rescue, also chance Of salvation. A
big oak stood q little way on. the
branches OF It almost touching the
ledge
Kenneth measured the distance;
could he leap 1t safely. carrying his
precious burden? As he hesttated
the window was raised-Milly Dun
ham thrust through 1t. crying dryly
Kenneth. Save me. l love you.
Love you sO!"
II was Louise who drew her out to
them on the ledge that had barely
room for two.
Jump" she cried to Kenneth.
nodding toward the tree.
As he obeyed. she steadied herself.
drew Milly past her fattened self
CRYING in half whisper: Catch"
At the same time she swung the girl
within reach of his arms. Milly was
half fainting- Kenneth could not let
20 of her. Yet he called Come
and Louise launched herself toward
him.
He braccd himself, and tried to
catch her with his free arm, but
missed her huttering hands by an
inch-and shut his eyes. his heart
stopping as he heard her brush
through the oaken twigs. A shout
made him open them-it was not the
shout of horror Looking down he
saw Louise lying spent but safe. in
big robe, snatched from waiting
carriage, and held by four good men
and true.
Mrs. Durham insisted upon giving
Louise not only trousseau but
dowry. And Milly, happy in a new
sweetheart. wore blue. not pink. as
bridesmaid. and looked almost pretty.
Cleveland Was Glad to % Free.
From the very frst l felt that the