The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-28
CHAPTER TX.

TO nnQ some way 10 SenO ner WOTQ
about the man he had seen lingering
about the place, and yet perhaps it
was foolish. He had doubtless been
to call on the cook, and there might
be no connection whatever between
what Durham had heard and seen and
the lonely girl
Next day, with careful hands, the
girl made herself neat and trim with a
few materials she had at hand. She
gathered her little hoard of money to
take with her, and cast one look back
over the cherries room, with great
longing to bid it farewell forever, and
go back to the world where she be-
longed; yet she realized that it was
quiet refuge for her from the world
that she must hereafter face. Then
she closed her door, went down the
stairs and out into the street, like any
other servant on her afternoon out
walking away to meet whatever crisis
might arise. She had not dared to
speculate much about the subject of
the coming interview. 1t was likely
he wanted to inquire about her com.
fort, and perhaps offer material aid
She would not accept it, of course, but
1t would be a comfort to know that
some one cared. She longed mex.
pressibly for this interview, just be-
cause he had been kind, and because
he belonged to that world from which
she had come. He would keep her
secret. He had true eyes. She did
not notice soft, padded feet that came
webbing down the street after her,
and she only drew little further out
toward the curbing when blear-eyed,
red face peered into hers as she stood
waiting for the car. She did not no.
tice the shabby man who boarded the
car after she was seated.
Tryon Durham stood in the great
stone doorway, watching keenly the
passing throng. lie saw the girl at
once as she got out of the car, but he
he did not notice the man in the bag.
gy coat, who numbered after her and
watched with wondering scrutiny as
Durham came forward, lifted his hat,
and took her hand respectfully. Here
was an element he did not understand.
He stood staring, puzzled, as they dis.
appeared into the great building; then
he planted himself in a convenient
place to watch until his charge should
come out again. This was perhaps a
gentleman who had come to engage
her to work for him. She might be
thinking Of changing her place. He
must be on the alert.
Durham placed two chairs in the
far corner Of the inner parlor, where
they were practically alone. save for
an occasional passer through the
hall. He put the girl into the most
comfortable one, and then went to
draw down the shade, to shut q sharp
ray Of afternoon sunlight from her
eyes. She sat there and looked down
upon her shabby shoes, her cheap
gloves. her coarse garments. and hon.
ored him for the honor he was giving
her in this attire. She had learned by
sharp experience that such respect to
one in her station was not common
As he came back, he stood a moment
looking down upon her. She saw his
eye rest with recognition upon the
hat she wore, and her pale cheeks
turned pink.
7 don't know what you will think
Of my keeping this" she said shyly,
putting her hand to the hat, but 1t
seemed really necessary at the time,
and haven't dared spend the money
for new one yet. thought perhaps
you would forgive me and let me pay
you for it some time later"
Don't speak of it, he broke it, in
q low voice. Il am so glad you could
use 1t at all. 1t would have been q
comfort to me if had known where
1t was. had not even missed it, be-
cause at this time of year | have very
little use for it. 1t is my travelling
hat"
He looked at her again as though
the sight Of her was good to him, and
his gaze made her quite forget the
words she had planned to say
Il am SO glad l have found you!"
he went on. You have not been out
Of my thoughts since l left you that
night on the train. have blamed my.
self over and over again for having
gone then. should have found some
way to stand by you. I have not had
one easy moment since l saw you
last"
His tone was so intense that she
could not interrupt him; she could
only sit and listen in wonder, half
trembling. to the low-spoken torrent
Of feeling that he expressed. She tried
to protest, but the look In his face
stopped her. He went on with an
earnestness that would not be turned
aside from its purpose.
II came to Chicago that I might
search for you. | could not stand the
suspense any longer. have been look
Ing for you in every way could think
Of. without openly searching, for that
I dared not do lest l might jeopardize
your safety. I was almost in despair
when I went to dine with Mr.. Phillips
last evening. I felt could not 20
home without knowing at least that
you were safe, and now that / have
found you. l cannot leave you until
I know at least that you have no
farther need for help"