The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-25

ken her part or showed any real sym
pathy for her position. He looked W
sheepishly under her touch. She saw
that his eyes were swollen and blood
shot
You'll always despiss me. Mona
-"
mo; I'll understand. I think. Any
way. ! want you to tell me the truth
Gerry. We're friends. aren't wei!
He nodded. Before I tell you" he
said huskily. II want you to feel that
I'm not al bad. I've acted the part Of
. scoundrel. but-but It was because
I'm . fool. But-IIl tell you-every'
thing" And he did.
Are you happy. little gall"
WinonaS heart started painfully
and she bent her head to hide the in
sistent tears "Quite. quite happy.
daddy" che answered tremulously,
"and-l'm 20 glad you've como Why
didnt you write met would have
met you ct The train: I always did.
you know-s
Il didn't make up my mind to It tn
the laSt minute. Your letter brought
ne. Aad-thea TIE cheek came In TOO.
about he same Tina"
"And-and you've cone to-to-"
The girl btoks OF nisssally. She rose
and sat down on the bSfA btside her
father and leaned her head against her
shoulder. "Yos won't % anything.
daddy. viii you!" she pleaded
The old man shook his he'd. His
brows were drawn together IN . deep
furrow and bic mouth was sternef than
Winona had ever seen It ITS . ssri-
Gus matter. honey-6orSing mans
name for i've hundred dellars-"
IL know. dad; but .Ioekl He
might have run away-Ae had Ill the
chance. But he wouldn't: hs pssfefred
to make . clean breast Of bic wrong
and DO what he could to repair It. A
I wrote you. he told me- everything:
how he had used your sisnaturs'i1 =
At Of desperation to cover up bic short
age At the bank. HE mother b old
and III: he was threatened With expo.
sure, and he knew that the shock
would kill her. He-he" she broke Of.
the tears running unrestralnedly down
her cheeks. Hes not ell bad. Daddy:
he oughtnt to have gambled. l know.
And Of course he ought not to have
forged some ones name. but l think
It was the result Of fright and inexpe'
rience. He's too kind.heaSted: he's
been too good to me. Give him Q
chance--plcasc!"
When the old man looked down into
the girls upturned face. his own eyes
were misty. You ain't happy. Mona. ="
he said with conviction. Il can tell
that And-he's been good to you ?
Gerald has!"
"Oh. Daddy" was all she could say.
Her head fell on his knee. She sobbed
openly. But In little while she had
dried her eyes. She looked up eager.
ly. You will?" she urged. you will!
I've been talking to him, and feel
sure he'll square It all up In the end"
A strange smile suddenly trans
formed the old mans wrinkled face
into momentary beauty. "lt-it's al
ready squared. honey" he said
Tom wilkins, coming home early to
luncheon. placed letter In bis young
wife's hands. "A line from mother"
he said; she wasn't so we'll when
they left. Let's see what she says"
Matilda tore the edge OF the enve.
lope and spread out the written sheet
It came from Oakland. CAL. and was
dated two days before. A soft glow
OF happiness overspread her face %
she read It:
MY Dear Daughter:
Il felt just must write and tell you
how charmed both Gerald and myself
arc with the life out here. We have
taken . lovely apartment and am going
to keep house for us both am feeling q
hundred per cent. better and Gerry has
already picked up wonderfully. I believe
hs would have died II We had stayed an
other week In Chicago He has gained ten
pounds in month and really has color In
his checks The farm belonging to your
father that he engaged Gerry to oversee
10 In nourishing condition under the new
management. II really looks - II we've
come to stay. and want you all to come
and make US q visit next fall. BY that
ume. I will have entirely forgotten what
Il means to he an invalid.
Gerald sends a world of love to every.
body. Fondly YOUR MOTHER"
The door opened and a stooped,
gray-haired man came In. His eyes
beamed as they rested upon bic daugh.
ter's face and then upon young viii.
kins'. Tom kissed his wife and
slipped out. leaving them alone
i've come to say goodby, honey
Going back home this evening. Com
Ing to the train with met"
you know am. you old humbue
And-and Dad-you never would let
NE bring It up again. but I want to
tell you how hard Gerald 10 working:
saving his money to pay you back"
The old man laid . knotty hand on
Winona's fluffy curls. 1T won't hurt
him to work. little eal-but 40 for
paying NE back" he looked deem