The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-22
SPARKS AND ASHES
Triumph and Vintication Of a
Woman's Outraged Love;
litter Taught Lesson.
Gy FRANCES A. COREY.

dreamily into the open fire when the
door-bell rang. The caller was Mrs.
TruebloOd. near neighbor, and q
trusted friend Of the family. She was
allowed to come up.
my dear. have you heard the
news" the good lady broke out ex-
citedly, before she had fairly seated
herself Morris Burton Is back in
town again! They say he's going to
remodel the old home-place and set
tie down here"
Anne drew quick. sharp breath.
Morris Burton had Tilted her 1--WE years
before, and eloped with a red-haired
heiress on the morning OF their wed.
ding day.
NO. hadn't heard" she answered
after moment.
He'll be at the party tonight" Mrs.
Trueblood Went on quiveringly Hes
wagered Dr. Bliss that he'll prove, be-
fore the evening Is over. that you're
as much in love with him as ever.
How perfectly outrageous"
Whatever tnne may have felt, she
was surprisingly calm. Thank you
for telling me-" was all she vouch-
safed.
'Of course you'll stay at home to-
nisht?'
No. Why should /? ! must meet
Morris sooner or later. I've heard"
she added musingly, that his rich
wife died last summer and left him all
her money
Mrs. Trunhlood looked at Anne
curiously as she rose to go. Was the
dear girl goine to make fool OF her
self again ogcl the handsome scamp?
The minute anne found herself
alone she went straight to cedar
chest In the alcove and gently lifted
out white satin gown that had lain
there for five years. There was a
half-defiant IMPULSE to put It on and
meet her faithless lover thus arrayed;
but she presently laid the glistening
robe back again In its sweet-smelling
receptacle
Mrs. Peytons rooms were full to
overlooking when Anne arrived upon
the scene. A quick interchange OF
chances as she entered told her that
she was an object Of speculative in.
terest to the assembled guests. For
Just one burning moment she felt
like turning back; but Professor Law
son was coming toward her. He
seemed a tower Of strength and her
courage revived
And then. for second, her heart
stopped beating by the way Miss
Graham" the professor said with
seeming carclessless, IAN old friend
of yours is here tonight-Morrs Bur.
ton OF New York Perhaps you had
heard?'
So he knew the old story? OF
course-it had been town talk.
Yes, Mrs. Trreblood told me-" she
replied, recognizing the kindly I'm.
pulse that had led him to give her
timely warning. 1T Ia five years
since Mr.. Burton went away. won
der II he Is much changed"
She was outwardly composed, and
Professor Lawson drew breath OF
relief Whether the meeting would
be an ordeal or net. he need fear no
weak betrayal on her part
And yet Annes limbs trembled un.
der her as she slipped away into tho
crowd She could not nave told which
| feeling predomirated dread or long
ing.
Suddenly some words came to her
ears from behind screen of palms.
Everybody is wondering il Anne
has remained single on Morris Bur.
tons account. We will soon know
she won't speak to him II she has
particle Of pride" was the spirit.
ed response but women are such
FOOLS"
Anne hurried ON with burning
cheeks. Suddenly group Of &C.
Quaintances parted before her, and
she vase face to face with her old
lover. In a hushed silence she held
out her hand as IL they had parted on
the friendliest terms
Welcome home. Mr.. Burton"
] He flushed with surprise and graft.
f1cation. There was no pretense Of
resentment But then she had been
very much In love with him. or
course she knew his wife was dead
and there was no barrier between
them. His wager was as good as won,
Thank you, Anne. for this kind 70.
ception," he said with a complacent
smirk. Its just what expected m
you know. came tonight expressly IN
see you. Let's find a quiet corner
where We can talk"
Anne accepted his prorered arr
He looked down at her cur,ously she
had more than fulfilled the prom,s.
OF girlhood. She had womanly die.
nifty, an air of conscious strength %.
more attractive than mere he,u,,
Dimly it began to dawn upon him whv
Or. Bliss had been so ready N no.
the odds against him But he wac No.
the sort of man 4 woman can e,si,,.
forget-and her greeting had been "a.
aecurinp,