The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-11

of grin showing
at the corners of his mouth.
A fire burned on the broad hearth,
and as the stairs creaked beneath the
portly Howes, Stanton piled on wood
and worked the bellows until he had a
small-sized conflagration roaring cheer
fully. He was just hanging up the bel
lows when the portieres were whisked
angrily aside and Katherine Carver
stood before him, spot of red burn
ing in either cheek and hard lines
showing about her pretty mouth.
"Hello!" said Stanton cheerfully
Back early, aren't you? Glad I wait
ed"
"Well?" she said shortly, coming a
step nearer and giving an unpleasant
infection to the word.
Very we'll thank you,' said Stanton
imperturbablv. And you?"
Miss Carver glared at him.
Wont you sit down by my fire?" he
went on politely. 81 had no end OF
trouble to get it going"
what have you come for?" she
asked frigidly.
Stanton looked thoughtfully into the
fire for moment.
II didn't come to rob the house,
said he, NOR to commit murder.
think l must have come to apologize y
1T is too late" said she.
"Then I'll come earlier tomorrow"
he returned. MAY l ask what time
the receipt Of apologies ceases?"
1T ceased last evening at tcn-and
It ceased forever" said Miss Carver.
ooh, l say!" Stanton protested,
really, that's not fair"
Its quite as fair as your remarks
Of last evening" she replied.
Honestly, I'm SORRY" said Stanton.
II was beside myself"
$50 it would seem," she observed
tartly.
"And when called you a heartless
flirt and the rest Of it, was irrespon-
sible," said he. 81 take it all back ex-
cept-" He paused.
Except what?" she asked.
well. I'll take it all back-no ex.
ceptions, If you say So" he said meek
ly.
"Oh, 1t doesn't matter" she unused
indifferently
mo, suppose not" he said. Still,
I'm really sorry. Won't you sit down
by the fire and hear my side Of it?"
Miss Carver hesitated.
Wont your" he pleaded.
She came to the fire and took the
chair he had drawn up for her.
Proceed" she said, still practicing
an economy of words.
Katherine" he said slowly, you
know how devout q worshiper I've
been; you know how patiently I've
waited and what-er-what encour.
agement you've given me- Well, yes.
terday when heard of your engage
meHI 70 CdWIHOTne-
ITO whom" she gasped, suddenly
attentive.
ITO Cawthorne," he repeated. 81
heard it.at the club"
Miss Carver suddenly burst out
She COY cred her face with
her hands and went into commissions
of merriment. Stanton stared help
lessly.
81 wish l might see it in that hu.
morous vein," he said gloomily.
do you mean to tell me that the
announcement of Mr.. Cawthorne's en-
gagement was responsible for your
outburst last night?" she asked be-
tween hysteric giggles.
yes" he said. Il was angry then;
but today I've come to offer apologies
and to add my congratulations. He
has mint of money, hear"
oh" she gasped. convulsed In
laughter again. cts too funny! Mr..
Cawthorne is engaged to Miss Cynthia
Caryer-Aunt Cynthia. It's the cul-
mination of romance that began be-
fore was born"
"Oh, Lord" said Stanton softly, but
IL tones Of infinite relief.
He picked up his hat and coat. At
the door lie turned.
mot going?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm going to the club to an
nounce your engagement to me-" he
said with an air of flnality.
Il haven't given my consent" she
said with redeemed face.
Stanton chuckled.
well, in response TO your urgent
invitation, I'm coming back to dine
with the family, and I'll get it thcn,"
said he.