The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-07-23
UNDER THE GASL|GHT
What Could Any Girl Do Wm q
TactIess Man Like This
0ne2
BY n. N. EGssRk

mortal that ever existed OF course ne
ought to have been cheerful, for his
father. old Colonel Anderson, had
left him three million dollars IN stocks
and bonds and nothing to worry about
The income he managed to spend com
fortably, and he was always surprised
when Sharp & Sharp told him that
there was a deficit on the last years
revenues and that he must retrench.
OF course" the senior partner
would add, If you prefer it We can
sell some of those H. and X. bonds for
you and make up that way, besides
providing you with few thousands In
hand. But you understand that this
will curtail your capital"
Sell II. and X. Anderson would an
swer Il must pay my creditors, you
know
1t was not that he was extravagant;
merely that he had never been trained
to the use of money. His father had
lavished all on him without restraint
But Colonel" Anderson died very
suddenly when his sons education
was only half completed Perhaps this
was fortunate for the boys character.
but it was certainly more lucky for his
friends.
Naturally he had many enemies, as
all men have who go through life be-
slowing favors on the less fortunate.
And he never knew it. because he was
the most light-hearted person living.
Now take the way in wAich he be-
came engaged to MS Aargreaves
Louise Hargreaves was the belle Of
the season, as she had been that Of the
preceding two, and they had known
each other for ages. Dozens Of men
had offered her their hearts and hands,
and she had sent them away 80 re-
luctantly and had kept their secrets so
sacredly that they remained her de-
voted friends About the only person
Of suitable age whom she had not led
captive was Bill. Naturally Miss Har.
greaves was piqued.
Once, when he had given her some
gardenias, he saw her, an hour after
ward, dancing, and she was wearing,
not gardenias, but red roses This did
not pique William at all; it interested
him.
Why aren't you wearing those gar
denas gave your" he asked her la
ter.
They faded" replied Miss Har
greaves Il think it must have been
the gaslight." ,Jhey still use gas In
some old houses in Grammercy Park.
IN give You some more," said Bill,
and turned away quite satisfied with
his answer But Louise Hargreaves
laid her finger tips upon his arm.
Wait minute" she said, almost
humbly. There's something want to
ask YOU Why don't you like me. Bill?"
Williams eyebrows went up with as
constituent.
why, do" he answered bluntly.
Il think the world of you Louise But
| thought hadn't chance with SO
many other chaps around"
Louise Hargreaves turned as red as
her roses.
Il didn't ask you that. Mr.. Alder.
son." she exclaimed angrily. You
really are the most tactless man I
know she addsd.
I'm sorry, Louise said Ell, peni-
tcntly, Il wish you would marry me-
though. Won't you?"
And b,cause he took her by surprise
though the unconscious initiative
had been hcrs-Aiss llargreaves ac
ceptQd him then and there At the
time she had not the slightest inten-
ton of marrying him
From this it must not be inferred
that she was coquette. She ac-
copied him because some primitive
instinct suddenly rose up in her and
dominated her She regretted her i'm
pulse al that night, and the next day
she rr"rcted it still more She wish
ed William Andersen were a thousand
miles away. .he told him so when he
called 20 see her. carrying a bouquet
Of - Mas!
That was symptomatic Of Pill He
had simply not recognized his defeat
in the trivial matter of the flowers.
So in the greater matter. He listened
to her quite seriously.
Whore do you want me to go,
dear?' he asked
You sit right down in that chair"
she answered. and planted herself
upon the arm. Now. Bill, want to
be very serious with you You are
a very simple, straightforward per.
SOD. and am complex and-well. not
serious. Sometimes my heart seems
quite wthered"
That's because you keep 1t in the
gasl!ght," answered Pill, not quite
KNOW = that he making a mot.
She looked hard at him and caught
her breath Somehow it was the most
pathetic thing In the world to see him
sitting there, SO happy. so Glow to
understand
Bill" she said earnestly. 81 don't
want to ruin a good mans life. And
you are good want you to make me
love you want you to dominate
me, Bill"
Bin Anderson laughed so whole