The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-15
THE LIE
By Joanna Single
(Copyrieh.. 1911. BY Associated Literary Prsss.)

(copyrish.. 1911. BY Associated Literary Prsss.)
Keith Parsons hated the 22d day Of
February. 1t made him sad. not be-.
cause the father of his country was
no more, but because exactly year
before Dorothy Meredith had looked
him straight in the eye and declared
that she did not love him. And when
he had marched up to ask her 10
marry him he could have sworn that
she loved him as he did her.
On this particular slushy 22d day
OF the second month. he walked dog
gedly to the schOOlhouse where she
taught, and marched in as the last
bell rang and the yelling group Of
youngsters formed In line. He hadn't
seen the girl for year. Probably
she didn't want to see him, but that
made no difference. 1t was a day
open to visitors. He would visit. If
he chose to gaze at the slim, pretty
dark teacher instead of at the chill
dren with their hatchets and flags and
artificial cherries their pieces" and
songs-well. she could not help her
self!
Keith entered boldly with group
Of clucking mothers. and stalked to
the back of the crowded room, where
he stood with his arms folded and
his brOws drawn into frown. Doro-
thy was smiling at fat old director
and did not see him.
The exercises were well under way
and Patsy Dugan was speaking q
piece" when the teacher saw her tall
visitor. He had hoped for a blush,
sign that she cared. She only sat
very straight and quiet and grew a
shade paler. She called the room to
order and the program began.
Keith stood there thinking that a
year ago he had been rich mans
son. Since then his father had died,
after losing almost everything In a
bad speculation. Keith was begin.
ming at the bottom, but his position.
his ability, his name would land"
him. He reflected that now he had
little to offer her Perhaps she was
even glad that she had refused him!
Still he stood looking at her while
the children sang America" and the
"Star-Spangled Banner" and did flag
drill. He saw Dorothy's face soften
with tenderness as she watched them,
and his own eyes grew dim. He had
always loved that tender quality In
her.
Then toddling child, little visi.
tor. got away from the sister who
brought him. and. mounting the plat.
form. reached up his hands to the
sweetfaced teacher. 1t was the girls
inevitable attractiveness. The fat old
director smiled. Dorothy took the
pretty baby up and announced the
next number.
1t seemed long to Keith, who was
wondering what would happen when
1t was done. Would he dare go up
and speak to her? Since she had SO
coolly told him she did not love him
IA year ago-his pride had softened.
Now. more than anything else in the
world, he wanted her to give him
her hand in the old comradely way
and be his friend as she had been
since they were school children to-
gether. If she wished he would try
to ask for nothing more. He would
do Just as she desired in all things.
II was while he was again vowing
himself her lover for all time in Sc
cret, but outwardly her friend if she
wished it. that his interest was again
awakened. The program was evident
ly finished, but Dorothy. still holding
the pretty fair-haired child on her
knee, spoke TO them.
we still have a few minutes left.
Yon have all done beautifully. chill
dren. know you will all love the
flag and George Washington. and
our country better for this But what
was it that made George Washing
ton such great, good man."
The answer was prompt chorus:
HE couldn't tell a lie."
She nodded. and the mother smiled.
Dorothys face was very earnest and
serious. She put the baby down on
the floor again and rose. coming to
the edge ON the platform. Her dark
eyes were very bright, but Keith
noted that the proudly poised figure
was too slim. that she was very pale.
She was overworked. His hand
closed hard on itself. He so wanted
to care for her. He could care for
her even now in comfort. She began
to talk
Children, I want you all to re-
member never to tell lie No mat
ter how badly you may seem to need
to tell 1t. don't do it. 1t will never
really helm Won No matter how