The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-26

iSk
How did you know that was my
name?" haughtily.
"Wally told me so. 1t is a darling
name. too. Dorothy. will you"
The words were drowned In the
rush of wind and swirl OF sand that
swept about them In wild MID
summer fury. He held her close IN
his arms, as the first patter OF rain
fell, and the lightning gashed great
slittering rents in the low'hanglng
sulphurous clouds.
Il must 20 to Waliy!" she ex'
r.aimed. Let me go. l can make
my way alone. Please-please let
ne CO."
81 won't. III carry you up to the
cottage"
"Oh, but look there" He swung
about as she pointed. Through the
darkening gloom. he saw the knock
bout had turned turtle. Devereux
vas a good swimmer, be knew. It
would be play to him to beat it In on
those waves, but there was no sign
Of him. Doro,hy's hand had clasped
his shoulder in quick grip OF dread.
The wind whipped her fair hair about
her face, and she shrank close to
aim.
Kenneth has gone down." she
cried. why don't you do something?
Why on earth do you wait here with
meo'
He smiled down at her grimly. I'm
get him, DEAR" he promised.
The next instant she stood there
alone, barely able to keep her footing
against the full fury OF the gale that
beat down at her from the sea.
Caxton was racing full tilt down
the landing pier, she saw. The knock
about was drifting in with every
wave, nearer and nearer. There was
no sign of Devereux Somehow. she
made her way up to the cottage. His
mother was there, kneeling by the
veranda railing. her arms around
Wally, her face hidden on his curls.
Already the alarm had spread, and
people were running down from the
hOte, and the cottages. She heard
some one say they were putting the
lifeboat out after both OF them.
1t seemed a lifetime to Dorothy,
standing beside the sobbing, half
fainting mother. soothing her. and
quieting Wally. 1t was too dark to
see a hundred yards from the cot
tage. The air seemed filled with
hurting limbs Of trees. and leaves
Above the roar Of the wind she could
catch the shouts Of the men. and
finally she knew they were bringing
back the two. Devereux and Caxton
the life guard. One was unconscious
they said.
And | sent him." she told herself
over and over.
Then, suddenly. leading the line Of
men, there tramped up the broad
steps Devereux, drenched to the skin
in his white yachting suit. and think
Ing only OF his mother.
I'D have gone under II Caxtor
hadn't gripped me-" he told them
when she turned turtle wal
caught in the rigging and couldnr
free myself. He dived under and Gel
me free. and was struck on the heat
In rising. Then brought him II
until the boat met u.s."
Dorothy's eyes were closed as sh'
listened. And she had called him {
coward!
That evening after Wally hat
slipped away to dreamland. she stol'
down the stairs and out into the still
ness Of the night. 1t was beautiful.
peaceful and fresh after the storm
The full moon rode high above scat
tered shreds OF clouds. and the Sci
broke In long, low waves on tn
beach below.
CaXton and Devereux smoked tC
gcther In the low steamer chairs 4
one corner of the veranda Devereu
rose ut her approach.
"l,obs been telling me lot q
things, Miss Ashton he said simply
extending his hand to her III
sorry I've been such cub as to eve
hope stood any show. He's a grea
old boy We two were mates at co
lege. He was the greatest capital
New London ever saw at the races
the finest chap that ever bossed
crew. am Just going up to mothe
Good night He leaned over ca!
tons shoulder and added: And goo
luck"
Dorothy was silent His han
reached toward her and she slippe
her own into its grasp.
But called you a coward"
He kissed her more than once b
: fore he answered.
You called me a coward-at this
he corrected. LAS was about
say when the internal storm brok
will you marry me. Dorothy?"