The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-14

magd2il. Ha!ch claimed his services.
Their vet. virtues fought against
them ice know good literature. no
less good breeding. The broad
splasily Effects that thrilled his pup
lie were not for her If her people
lacked lie they were at the least de'
cent! tailored Yet she was set do
the hills on making her way. here III
the boiling town, rather than 60 pacA
to the nagging of step-mother-nag'
gingS whose root was the prosperous
Bill. Mason.
Laijmer had known her from her
cradle indeed, he had carried her
pigahack several miles at least. he
had never thought of her as sweet
heart Sweethearting for him. indeed.
had always meant Agnes Ware. II
she had not thrown him over for his
rich uncle he should never have seen
New York. His coming had cogent
reason why under heaven had that
wiliu Joe come likewise?-why. md
ing herself so unfit. did she fOolishly
stay"
He bought the poor little story
paying for it from his own spare peck
ct. but through the mask Of the mag
azine After the check had been sent
by messenger, he felt bit easier.
though still he could not settle stead
lily 10 his work. Joe's face. wearing
that gallant smile above the pain
marks. came between him and the
page he read She stayed with him
SO rcrsistently; indeed, he shut his
desk half an hour early. and went
scoWling to the tiny chambers he had
MANAGED to find in quiet eddy OF the
town
They looked desolate enough. yet ne
had thought them cosy. Joe was the
matter even there she haunted him
lie went out quickly. made his way
to the park and walked there with
swinging strides. until almost mid
nigh, Then suddenly he felt himself
faint with hunger. found an eating
place and fed himself decently. Aft
erward there was another stroll. Tho
moon had come up transforming mag
ically even the sOrdid town. 1t was
late after midnight when he came
again to his own door and sat down
upon the steps for last bask in the
moonShine. last cigar.
Al first he barely noted a huddlcd
limp figure upon the farther end Of
the topmost step. It gave him a turn
to have ii suddenly slip down beside
him Next minute joe was saying in
breaks
Johnny l--youll have to send me
home after all. I've found out
won't dc I'm too big Il coward"
How did you make the discovery"
I.atimcr asked tcasingly, laying his
hand on her arm.
She drew away from him ever SO
gently. why you see--this way
got the story-all right and Parish
said ! could use it. nut but | found
] couldn't do that \, ny, Jo.inny the
wholp secret is Mrs Norrowill loved
her husband SO she wouldn't stand
in the way Of his happiness after she
fouli out he loved somebody else
ini She she made believe to llirt
VITA the other nan 50 her husband
uld have clear eonSciCnce. Could
lua could any body cruelty woman
Nho would do that?"
I know You couldn't" l4atimer re.
tdrncd, his heart beating fast lie had
heard more than the Words--a subtly
vibrant sympathy Joe must know
! what that other woman felt-was II
possible she had loved him, Latimer
all along? She was standing unstead
ily upon her poor pinched feet.
1t was SO kind of you-s sending the
check" she murmured. Il had to come
and tell you-when they said you
were out, | waited Please fix 1t SO
can 70 home Saturday--but under
stand won't marry Billy"
No because you arc going to mar
~ me instead. Latimer answered
tncking her hand over his arm. 81
am coming for you early In the fall
think you can be ready?"
Tn ready now-unless you want
to send me away Joe said, so low,
so sweetly, l.atimer had to kiss her
then and there. regardless of time
and place.
Copyright, 1872, 10y Associated Literary
press)