The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-31
the Austin place. Mrs. Austin and
Dickie came from the porch. followed
by other relatives. Selwyn got down.
handed out the girl, and took her arm

This is Mr.. John Selwyn. Mrs.
Austin"
II was all she had to say. Selwyn
ru, out his hand "Of Chicago ne
explained How are you. Rlchard:
Haven't seen YOU since your freshman
DAYS at Harvard get through! DICK
rit out his hand. Selwyn knew too
r,,ch about him. Mrs. Austin was
irigidly waiting for more-a queer
g,eam in her eyes
Il don't understand" she said. Exit
tie. we have been looking for you---
Selwyn took the matter up. Il DO
eve you an explanation" he said.
You see am engaged to kittie. !
came ont here to surprise her. and saw
her on the road and carried her off
ror ride. The engagement was to
have been announced as soon as she
reached home. Her aunt knows It
Surely you remember me. Mrs. Aus.
tim Met you at my sisters, Mrs,
Jackson" Mrs Austin thawed and re
membcred-al remembered the
James fortune, and stiffcned again
But in decency she had to ask him to
dinner. He saw unpleasantness for
kitte ahead. and promptly came to
the rescue again.
I'll be glad to stay to dinner. and II
Dicke will let me share his quar-
tiers Ill invite myself to stay until
morning" Dickie was not in posi-
ton to refuse The older man had
bought him out of disgraceful col
lege scrape. He rose to the occasion.
They all went in Kittle hastily
dressed for dinner and Selwyn washed
up. refusing Dicks offer of clothes.
He songed to kick the little cad. but
Restrain himself.
Dinner went pleasantly enough be-
cause Selwyn would have it so. He
knew himself to be irreprOachable, he
knew they knew it, and he had once
been deeply in love with Clara James.
who had chosen his friend Smiley in
stead This was Clara's little sister.
And she was like Clara-rerhaps she
was even sweeter than Clara. He
looked across the table at her wild
rose bloom and wide blue eyes, the
fine. firm little chin and intelligent
forehead. She caught his glance ard
her flush dceroncd and burned He
again addressed Mrs Austin, and as
he did so resolved to give Aunt Cor,
nclia the scoding of her life when he
saw her To leave the girl with REQ
pie like this while she chased off to
suffrage meetings and GOT sick at the
wrong times.
Mrs. Austin, am going to rob
vow tomorrow Of your guest My sis.
ter is with me in San Francisco. and
we are going To Los Angeles in a few
days. She will take kittie with her
and meet her aunt there"
kittie sat still and drew long
breath of relief. but her soul was burn
ing with shame and fear What did
this splendid knight think of her for
even thinking she might ever love
Dickie Austino What should she say
when she reached his sister, "
course the engagement matter would
never go any further, Her heart sank
strangely
The next day saw uer safely on her
way to Mrs. Jackson. her face glow
ing. The ride was wonder Of de.
light, the beauty of the country after
the eastern snow. most OF all the
strong man beside her. She gave her.
self to the Joy Of the moment, charm.
in CHIN with everything she said and
did Freed from her trouble her
sweetness came to the top and bub.
bled and sparkled like champagne.
great protective sense came over the
man. but twinge at the heart, too
Only for today was she his, and he
would not have touched her finge,
tips without her consent. He turned
TO her as they neared San Francisco
You've had an adventure. a rea
one. haven't YOU" She looked at him
soldering. her eyes deep, but mel
tongue would not speak. i've neve
been engaged before" he said, "ant
I'm nearly thirty. II Is very lovely
shall always remember it-lon,
after you have married the right man
younger and brighter than l."
She shook her head.
Il shall INDEPENDENTLY any
body-all my life!" she burst GU,
"After-Dickie-T should be-afraid.
She shivered. and driving with on
hand. he caught at her slim fingers.
Would you be afraid Of me
Would your" Her eyes filled Wit
tears.
"Oh. but It isnt-real about you
You had to lie to get me out Of tro,
Bile, and you've got yourself In. Mr.,
Austin win tell people and-and-
"Shs couldn't say anything II you
made It real. Kittie Could you. Wi
you!" She turned from him pitifull,
and then brought her glance bravel
to his. Her voice was grave an
quiet
"You dont-love me-" The ma
laughed outright. Love IL a. swift q
light-it doesn't need time.
.y Aos" ho aaid ~ ,o,n -