The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-12

mond flashed as he raised one finger
to emphasize his arguments. And
then-Tom swore.
She would not have minded q little
oath. perhaps, but what he said was
something which she could not have
imagined on the lips that had kissed
! her. She was so startled that she
came out frolL behind the screen, and
the men looked at her, and she looked
at Tom; and suddenly Tom leaped to
his feet and cried:
"Sheila!"
And added another oath.
Sheila went up to Tom and the two
men withdrew hastily. for they did
rot wish to intrude upon what was.
they suspected, some secret in their
leaders life. Sheila locked at Tom
very steadily, and then she began to
cry.
tom. Tom" she sobbed. drawing
close to him. IT couldn't wait any
longer. came. wanted you SO and
thought | would surprise you. Are
you not glad to see iAe. dear?"
Tom had been standing as though
petrifed. Now he found his tongue.
"ShciIa," he said hoarsely. tive
been married eight years"
Stella waited. Surely there was
mere to come. Surely this could not
be ALL the end. the absolute end Of
everything. Why, if that were SO she
would die No, What should she do.
though? What should she do? She
wanted to run away.
Tom vas speaking and Sheila heard
his voice. but she did not see him be.
Cause of the gathering clouds. She
caught to support herself at the edge
of the screen.
81 suppose I've given you a pretty
raw deal. kid" said Tom. 'but l loved
sou and love you still-only they
yoked me up with my woman ono
ni"ht when | had been drinking and
didn't know what I was doing. l tell
YOU. Kid my life has been hell since
that day. And l couldn't give you
mp mayourreen-Ic couldn't. Time and
asain ! THOUGHT, If Sheila won't give
me- IN I'll get divorce and send for
,ef.' net | WIS getting to be big
lnaA in the district, and divorce amt
allowed IN Cur church, as YOU know.
MS q r and If I'd done it I'll have set
u" bsicst against ne, and then good
~ % my power. SO ! just waited,
f1,irg tie old woman would die or
e.nthing would turn up. But listen,
81 ila'--he had drawn closer to her
and she smclled whisky on his breath
I'm rich now and there amt no rea.
son why you and me shouldn't come
to an understanding. We can fix 1t
some way so that it'll look respect
able. and that's all that counts. Give
me a kiss, kid. for love you just the
same"
How she got out of that room she
did not know She remembered after.
ward pushing the man from her and
feeling blindly for the door Then
the screen fell as Tom tried to inter.
cept her, and Sheila found the door
handle and tore herself from his grasp
upon her dress and ran. She heard
men shouting after her. But she was
In the street now. and running as II
for dear life. and never looking back
She ran with all her power. Men
turned to stare at the strange figure.
racing along Third avenue: somebody
was chasing her again, too. for she
heard his footsteps following swiftly
behind her. She reached the corner
Of the block and turned into broad
side street. and paused, painting. Then,
behind her. she heard those same
footsteps. Someone was calling her
name. She fastened on again in ter.
ror It must be Tom. or one Of his
men. What would they do to her?
She saw a park in front Of her now,
with leafy trees and fountain play.
ing, and 1t seemed to be haven Of
refuge to her. She sank into seat
and hid her face in her hands. No one
molested her; the unfortunates upon
the benches were immersed in their
own troubles. A passing policeman
saw the pretty girl who seemed to be
In distress and thought Of speaking to
her. But just then he perceived his
roundsman In the distance and
Strengthened himself and passed on.
mentally resolved. however. to 90 back
as soon as the roundsman passed.
And Sheila. under the tree, was cry.
ing her heart out.
A man was leaning over the back
Of the seat. "Sheila!" he whispered
She started round. It was Phil
bruce!
II miracle had occurred she could
not have been more amazed. She
could not say word, even when Phil
came ard sat beside her aud took one
Of her smell hands in his.
Il followed you Sheila, DEAR" said
Phil. with the same considerable gen.
tleness as ever in his voice. You
wouldn't lot me ccme-so I sailed on
the Trafalgar and arrived yesterday,
and waited for YOU was in the
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