The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-22


parks She, formerly the lone one.
became popular But, while she often
found tie eyes Of George Howe upon
her. he became more and more aioof.
She made timid effort or two to
talk to aim. and although he was
courteous she felt no great friendli-
ness She spent an agonized night
or two over her forwardncss, and
then absolutely ignored him. But she
went straight ahead with her new
idea of being attractive. Young
Phelps was a year her junior. but
she liked going about with him. It
amused her and boistered up her
self-respect. But in her heart she
was miserable.
Soon after this she realized that
she loved George Howe. and with
the agony Of the knowledge that he
did not care for her, she went to the
house Of "Kimball & Kimbalr' and
engaged herself for work with them.
Then she gave Mr. George Howe.
manager for Howe, Anderson &
Howe" weeks notice To her
surprise and relief. he courteously
accepted her resignation. He did not
ask her a question as to why she
was going. 1t half killed her that he
/ did not care enough but had he
a ked her she would not have known
how to answer A substantial In.
crease of salary was her reason to
the rest of the office
A week in her new position, a week
a year in loneliness, passed. and Sat
urday night, one lovely. breathing.
rosescented June night. found her
face-down upon her bed, crying 1t out
in the approved woman's way. Her
face was tearstained; she no longer
felt nor wished to be alluring. She
was simply wretched. And then she
heard the landladys voice at the
door.
Someone to see you-out on the
porch" she said briefly and was
gone.
Thinking Of some woman friend.
she wiped her face. gave vicious
pull or two at her hair and dress. and
went down, still not knowing nor car
ing how she looked From porch
chair in the dusk rose the figure Of
Mr.. George Howe He reached out
his hand and, taking hers, looked
about to see II they were alone,
Distrnsting the open clearinghouse
windows, he asked her to walk, and
without waiting for her to consent,
drew her arm under his and took her
out upon the street
When they had reached little park
space he suddenly stopped and
gazed down at her. She was drOop-
ing, tired. cried-out- and bit de-
faint
Look here" he said. abruptly. do
you know that love you? Did you
leave to get rid of me? Do you know
how miserable am without you?
Didn't you see all the time how'll
was with mo? Answer" But she
could only shake her head Shame
and truthfulness overwhelmed her.
He pursued relentlessly. Can you
truthfully say that you never could
love me?" Again she shook her
head Answer me In words" he
urged. A new. fine courage came to
her
oh" she said, with gentle vehe-
mence, drawing her hands away from
him, "I-do-love you. No, stay away
till tell you | debut at first I
didn't-really. was just lonesome
and miserable and wanted a home.
! liked you and so deliberately tried
to attract you Now you will hate
me. 1t was cheap and unthinkable
and unwomanly. ! tried to make
you---want me- And when Thought
you wouldn't. found that had
learned to love you. couldn't stand
IT, so | went away. I-am-very mis-
cradle, and I'm not ut to love-after
doing such a"
His low, contented laugh made her
look up He took both her hands.
"You-darlng' he said mo 9th
err woman on earth would tell what
she had done. or think II unwomanly!
BE contradiction loved you long
before you began to blossom out and
attract nies-lke young Phelps, |
actually thought you might-care for
that boy' was jealous. Say again
that you-realy love me"
She said II again, but still HI was
not content,
Arm in arm they walked under the
summer moon, arm in arm they talked
and planned and talked the immemo-
rial nonsense of lovers She, won
dering. blessed Maize, and the wom-
ans little game--whlch Is to love
and be loved In return
Copyright. 1912 by the Mcclure News
4 paper Syndicate)
/
I The Quintet.