The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-21

person, or by letter, naVo Aop' '
Won and you have encouraged me
beautifully without In words commlt'
ting yourself. You have gone every
where with me. have carried you
over rough places. literally as wen
fguratively. You have. on rare occa'
sions. let me kiss you. You nave
with your sweetness and dearness'
coaxed the heart out OF me. 1t ID In
your keeping, and demand an &C.
counting. I don't know any way 0u'
this to get positive answer. we are
a long way from shore. the water -
deep, and you can't swim. a fact OF
which you should be ashamed. since
/ have offered to teach you. You
shouldn't allow yourself to be afraid
Of water-you know that" He turned
and scanned the lake. "Now," he went
on, I'VE will have to have things OUT
with each other. You have never let
me openly ask you to marry me. You
have interrupted. fed. joked, torment
ed, all because you feared that being
engaged would cut short some OF
your firtations. Which is perfectly
true. My fiancee can't coquette with
every man in sight. she will have to
behave" He put on his cap and
went to work again with the paddle.
talking as he did SO.
Briefly, you mary me or you don't,
and you decide now. Uncle Martin OF.
fers me a partnership in his Denver
business, a sure thing and money
maker, and l am to let him know to-
night what I will do. II l take It !
shall leave Immediately for Colorado.
II l don't, l shall 60 on with my pres
ent work, which I like best. But
your preference would decide me.
This is why It is up to you. What are
you going to do with me?"
She gave him look Of utter scorn.
DO you think you can-bully me!"
she inquired. did you think this
could make me-love your
He smiled. ''No-ff I didn't happen
to know that you love me, II I didn't
know how you love to dangle and tor.
ment a man I would never have tried
It. But you do love me-only you
hate to give in and admit 1t. and I
shall not take you back to shore un-
til you do have lunch in this box,
and we stay here until midnight-or
morning. unless you"
Her blue eyes widened and flashed
and without a seconds hesitation she
gave vicious little leap and over
turned the canoe in mid.lake.
Just as Vane Harris went over he
had the presence Of mind to give q
mighty shout for help. Two men not
far behind them came at their hest
speed. vane had gone down and
come up coolly. made a grab for
Patricia and with her was holding to
the overturned canoe. Lawrence Pat.
terson and another man padded
alongside, but Just as they began
righting the overturned craft and
had a safe hold on the girl. vane
gave a convulsel gasp, struggled, and
suddenly sank like lead. He did not
come up again. At first Patricia did
not realize the truth. then she gave a
little cry. and they pulled her to
safety.
There was some shouting for help
and In a minute q half dozen boats.
some swimmers, boys and men. were
on the scene. There were directions.
divings. fears-and finally the young
mans limp body was fished up,
hauled into boat and hurried to the
nearest shore. He was rubbed, water
was emptied out Of him. air was
forced into him, he was blanket.
wrapped. manipulated. Patricia
could not be coaxed or forced away.
She stood BY, ash.white hugging about
her dripping figure a big blue cloak.
Finally vane gave deep, gasping
breath, choked, breathed again-and
opened his eyes. Patricia put her
hands to her face and wept. Mira.
Forbes led her away. bundled her
Into her car, and took her home. She
put her to bed and began ministerins
to her. The luncheon was forgotten.
You poor DEAR" she comforted
And on the very day your engage.
ment Is announced. You naughty eiri
to let your friends see It first IN the
Tribune! OF course we all knew you
would marry him-but I couldn't be.
lieve my eyes this morning. 40 :
called up Miss Clayton. She said
Vane himself had asked her to print
The announcement How lovely a.
your Aunt Margaret to be your sp0n.
sor."
Patricia hid her face on the pillow
30 that was what he had done! He
had heralded her consent before she
had given it! well-hadn't she tor.
mented, trailed-and finally nearly
killed him? Suppose he had drowned,
She shuddered. He should havs
things his own way. She knew nov
what life might have been without
aim. She turned tear.wet but han.
~ face to her friend.
MRS. Forbes. win you 30 and SEQ
how-Vane is! Tell him as soon A
ne Is able-l-want him-to come. I
want to see him."
Inc older woman bent over her q
moment md than Al.A