The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-07-23


their household, and that she was 10
bestow less time and attention upon
him.
why, Walter protested Edna
half amused and wholly amazed, Bill
~ and | have been brought up like
brother and sister and had never
been separated until he went west a
few years ago ] couldn't get up the
. least sentiment for him even If
did vt care for you
but you are not brother and sister.
and | tell you frankly it maddens me
to see him appropriate you as a mat
| ter of course, and | will not permit
you to drive with him as frequently
as you do
Further argument followed, but
| Walter was peremptory in reiterating
his commands He left the city that
night on a business trip, and in his
absence Edna made her plans quietly
and unalterably
Walter, she said coldly on his re-
turn, 81 think it advisable that we
separate Not on Billy's account.
not because he is anything to me, but
because of your stand in this matter"
1T YOU desire a separation" he
said in low, strange voice, you shall
have one"
She was little startled and piqued
by his ready acquiescence
There is one point" he said, you
have overlooked cannot be sepa-
rated altogether from Lillian"
Walter AS if would put a feath-
er between you two. She shall come
to you as often as you desire"
The next day he moved into apart
ments, and Edna's aunt came to her.
1t was the time of year when nearly
every one was out of town, and the
few who came to the house supposed
Walter to be absent on one of his fire..
Quent business trips.
| As she sat alone in her boudoir,
bordering over the estrangement, she
heard the patter of little steps In the
hall, and she lifted her head expect
antly. Lillian had been spending the
day with her father.
"Oh, mamma" exclaimed the little
girl, exctedly. 81 had such a lovely
time. We all went on the river in q
big boat-and-"
"Who went with you?" asked Edna,
quickly.
Papa and his friend"
What friend?"
"a new friend Jessie"
Lillian" she said, angrily, don't
ever mention that Jessie's name to me
again"
Jessie was lovely to me! like
Jessie.'
So the intriguing Jessie was winning
her childs affections as well as her
husbands. She decided that she would
not allow the child to go to her fathe,
again She spent miserable night
When the summons came for Lillian
again the next morning, Edna. who
loved her child passionately, had not
the heart to refuse Lillian's pleading
Towards dusk as she was beginning
to be anxious at Lillian's prolonged
absence, Doctor Brandon, an ole
friend, was announced.
why, DOCTOR she cried. delighted
ly, Il didn't know you had returned.
81 came home few DAYS ago an(
have been trying to call, but hav,
been prevented. Are you quite well?'
he asked
"Oh, yes, very we'll. | want you I,
stay until Lillian comes. She ha,
grown So"
81 came to tell you about Lillian.
have just come from-her fathers
She Is slightly ill-no, don't b,
alarmed It's very slight disorder
but the weather has changed so sud
denly. | thought 1t prudent for her t,
remain indoors for day or two. Sh,
wants you-in fact, won't stay toniph
without you. May l take you bacl
with me-? My carriage is here"
Doctor Brandon" she exclaimed
isn't you first name lesser"
why. yes" he replied in surprise
And were you up the river witt
Walter and Lillian yesterday"
Yes; the child asked me what M
name was, and / told her Jesse an,
she proceeded to call me that to M
delight and her fathers distress"
He wondered at the radiant face Il,
lifted. AS they came into Walter
apartments she heard door open
Walter" she said, yearningly, /"
know. now, how you felt abou
Billy"
Dear" he said when she was N
leased from his embrace, will yo
stop those awful proceedings?"
Darling, | never began them,
simply couldn't"
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