The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-17

asked Marie, lnnOcently.
"He does!"
"How can you be so sure, Freddy!
do not see him." sternly.
What do you mean by coming
every evening"" i
Marie. you know very well wnat !
mean! Do you really wish me to tell
you again? ="
NO, no." interrupted Marie hastily,
"how can you be SO absurd?
To Haines, the color In the girls
cheeks was maddening.
Come into the garden" he pleaded.
81 cannot-there is Loren!"
Staring at you like blinking owl.
Put your picture on the piano while
you are gone and he will never miss
YOU! Come out with me, dear, just
this once"
Don't, Freddy" murmured the girl.
don't make me want to CO.
"Marie." he cried. crushing her hand
under the music sheets.
"Just this once, then" she said.
glancing hurriedly toward her mother.
Bring Miss Vera, Dawson, and
come out into the garden" called
Haines lightly. as he drew scarf
about the girls shoulders.
When Loren looked at her question
ingly, Vera rose quickly
What a shame for Marie to leave
him like this" she thought
1T is charming evening Tor
stroll" she said aloud. noting how ms
fingers bungled as he spread the soil
mink folds of her shawl about her.
Dawson walked stifiiy down the
path.
"Your sister seems very fond OF
Iiaines and he Of her" he Observed
brushing off a garden seat for her.
DO you think there is an understands
ing"
ooh. no." cried Vera. much distress
~ Marie means nothing. II is just
her way to seem so happy and bright.
IF she really means nothing. I fear
there will be a very disappointed
young man." he answered indinerently'
sitting down beside her
, But he has no right to feel that
she cares about him." declared Vera.
II did not suppose you could be Sc
unkind, Miss Vera he answered IN
surprise. How can a man help hop
, ing that girl will return his affection
even II she does give him no encour
agement? very much fear you DC
not know what love Is like"
oh" said Vera, with sob In he'
voice.
, The young man sat In uncomfort
r able silence.
II used to think love was a beauti
] full thing, but now think It Is cruel,
said the girl at last q little YEARLY
There seems to be 20 much trouble
Every one seems to love the wron(
person, and no one Is to blame. Ever!
one loves Marie. yet she cannot low
them all In return. and some one Il
| hurt"
Unconsciously she placed her han'
protectively upon his sleeve.
4 And you are sorry. vera?'
Y "Yes," she breathed.
!. "You are sorry for me-" he asked
covering her hand with his own.
"Oh. / do not need to be sorry 10
you" she cried in distress. "Believ
me. Marie is not so Indifferent to yo
as she may seem! Only have littl
patience with her, Loren"
B "But It is not Marie that | love
child. What made you think love
Y her."
\ 'You came TOTO see her.!
because 1t was the only way
\ could see you, dear little girl Do 20
suppose they would have let me In
| had come openly to call on yo'
Vera, can you care for such an awl
ward, silent fellow as IT,
"You are not awkward" objecte
= the girl. then stopped in confusion.
J. II am awkward and silent he r
:. heated. and | have outdone myse
. in your presence. because am SO col
scious of my own unworthiness. I'll
), dear, l want you'll never wanted an
!, one else for my wife and | never sha'
. I have waited months for chance
get near you. but wanted in vain u
:, Ill | thought of paying court to Mari
l., Then when | saw to what disadvan
: age showed among the other fellow
I lost courage to ask you
:, "Oh, Loren" said the girl with
~ happy laugh. :,
= Marie coming silently and miserab
= along the path. paused in astonis
. ment at sight of her gentle little 81
" ter in Loren Dawson's arms
y, Freddy" she cried, turning to u
-, silent young man beside her with su
~ den Joyous gladness. I'll take bal
:, everything I said. Come. let US
y Hx@y. ~