The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-08

l8CS tuos q ySoA o6O AC0u0 u6Q USeu
his betrothed. But since she gave no
sign Of recognition. he accepted the
role Of new acquaintance with what
grace he might Clearly. he could not
Say to . wholly new acquaintance:
Il Was . Jealous idiot! Forgive. O.
forgive me-"
Lenox said It In his heart over and
over throughout the high tea. More
than ever he said It when. after the
meal. they went in the twilight again
out on the lawn.
II was wide and level. richly turfed
and set sparssly with giant trees.
There was a swing In the biggest OF
them-a tall oak. but branchy. It
stood apart from all the rest. the big
boughs spreading many yards on each
side From the stoutest Of the boughs
big hempen cables dangled. The seat
was broad enough for two-Amy and
Leslie. side by side, were tossed up
many times through wide arcs Of
dusk. But they were considerable
tossing them was hard play for mid
summer. no matter how gallant the
tossers.
When the swing dangled empty
Danforth stepped into 1t and began
to swing himself with a pumping mo.
ton. slowly at first. but quickening.
quickening. all the while strengthen
Ing. until cables stood taut and
straight at the check. the circle Of
motion bounded only by their length.
Any exhibition Of strength fascinat.
ed Leslie. The full moon rising round
and red. showed her heart In the
eyes that watched Danforth. Lenox
Carlyn. watching her. set bis teeth.
This pumpkin should not win BY mere
brute force. A. Danforth stepped
down Carlyn flung OF bis coat and
leaped into the swaying seat. saying
over his shoulder. Il could do that
long time ago-wonder II have for.
gotten the trick?'
DO you forget things easily?" Les-
Is asked. msrrily.
Still over bic shoulder he answered.
Depends on what they are-and how
much I want 70 remember" Then hs
Get the swing In motion - deity -
Danforth had done.
Back and forth, back and forth. 10
sent Il crouching. swinging upward.
the arc Of motion ever and swiftly
widening. He had not forgottsn-the
old.tims aptitudss came back 70 him.
But they could not bring with them
boyhood's absolute nsrvelsssness.
Higher. higher. hs wsnt-the swoop-
ing WAS like The flight Of some great
bird. Then he felt himself suddenly
dissy-blind. siek-his muscles grew
daccid. With . last desperate rally. 10
chung trembling to the cables. but on
the downswesp his hands unlocked
thsmselves-hs topplsd to earth and
lay q crumpled heap on the turf.
''Lsnox! Oh! You are deadf" Leslie
cried. Ringing herself wildly beside
him. making to lift his head In her
arms. He stirred. moaning faint-the
others ran to him.
Call bis mother" Leslie said
clearly. "But-tell her please he is
only hurt"
Az Lenox groaned again. she laid
bic head back upon the turf. but left
her arm underneath It. Amy. white
faced betwixt fright and anger, had
hard work not to scream.
"Lenox! Say only you forgive mel"
Leslie whispered-but Amy heard. So
did the inert man, spent and breath
less. "I-love-you," he murmured.
laintly. "It-is-yours-to forgive"
Then he lapsed into unconscious.
ness. It took weeks to come out Of
It. Only by q miracle had he es.
capped death. Leslie did not leave
him-his mother would not hear to
t even II her own heart had not
prompted her to stay. When at last
be knew them. they broke down.
weeping together tears Of the purest
10y. And the very next day he mar |
lied Leslie-to the disgust and con- !
founding Of Mrs. Amy Danforth. born
Watson.