The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-15
SPEAKING OF CHANGES
BY cosTER BYLes.

than young Cuthbert Tanhurst. All
the mothers with marriageab!e daush-
ters held up their hands in horror at
the mere mention of his name, and
the men-ahout-town were unanimous
In pronouncing him q thoroughbred.
1t was partly the fault of his educa-
ton. His father had been q most sue
cessful Spectator. and had taught his
son that he must spend his money
like a gentleman or not at all.
The young fellow had imbibed arts
tocratic desires from his earliest days.
he had learned never to stint himself.
never to do anything himself that
others could be hired to do for him.
and to believe that the one great OBJ
iect Of living was to extract from
each day as much pleasure as the
hours would hold
Then his father dropped suddenly
from the position of millionaire to
that of pauper. a not unusual change
on the stage Of speculation. A grand
coup went wrong, and Tanhurst, ST..
was out of the game for gocd. The
shock killed the old gentleman, and
when the lawyers were done with tho
settlements. Cuthbert found himself
panniless.
1t was against his grain to go to
work. SO he became an habitue of the
picker rooms at fashionable clubs, and
a prominent figure at the race
courses. 1t was at this time that his
name became as a red rag to the
good people Of the town. With a very
few exceptions all the strictly proper
folks who had been glad to accept the
hospitality Of Tanhurst, ST., turned
away their heads when they saw the
son.
At the close Of q summer day he
vas walking home in a sullcn mood.
It had been a bad day. misfortune
had dorged him persistently. and he
was asking himself what was the use
IF continuing it all. He was Of no
good to himself and there was no one
Else in the world who cared for him.
Of whom he dared think as caring
for him. In the old days Of luxury he
9ad always hoped to call Marie Fair.
Torn his own, but now it was too late.
lie had said to himself in the years
past that after a taste Of life there
would be nothing like quiet home
shared with Marie. She had never
disguised her liking for him. But
now? He had not dared to 60 near
the Fairborn house for over q year;
when he had seen Marie he lodged
round corners and avoided her. Now
she was In his thoughts as q prize
that he had long ago forfeited and
must forget. with other things. His
thoughts encompassed him In such .
mist Of gloom that he hardly looked
where he was going. The lake was
before him and he was walking toward
It. He never noticed the figures that
were approaching him. A sweet voice.
like the memory Of IN old perfume.
aroused him.
why. Cuthbert!" Marie Fairborn
stood before him. He saw . look OF
wonder and pity within her eyes.
II beg your pardon" he exclaimed
confusedly. Il was not thinking-I
never noticed" he moved % though
to pass on. but the girl stopped him.
"Cuthbert" she said. why won't
you speak to me? I haven't seen you
for ever 20 long"
MARIE" he returned desperately.
I'm not 1t II people should sec you
talking 70 me! Really. I'd better CO."
What nonsense. Cuthbert. You're
at enough for me. Come. you shall
walk with mo and tell me every
thing"
With much incoherency Cuthbert
told the story Of his downfall. or a.
much Of It a. he could relate without
breaking Somehow the soft eyes Of
the girl BY hts side led him to tell the
story % he would have told It to no
other human being. He spoke Of his
sins. bic sorrows. his hopes. and Of
his present despair.
so you Gee, Marie." he said 1t the
finish. I'm Of no use ct ell. I might
a. ven get out Of the running alto
gether. Why should I take the trouble
to work and struggle? do not care
enough for myself. now. to do that"
But II there was some one else
that You cared for. some one who
would try to teach you to win back
your self.respect. would you not try
thcn!"
But there IL no one." he responded.
Perhaps. II there was-but why
think Of it,"
But there Is some one, Cuthbert."
A little hand touched his gently, and
he turned from his moody gazing to
look down at the girl.
Marie" he exclaimed, almost fierce
ly. don't play with me. Are you in
earnest? You dent really mean that
you will be that some one, do you?
You can't-you can't-what-?" He
stopped and kissed the gloved hand
fervently.
Nov don't be an absurd boy" said
Marie. But for the rest Of the walk