The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-07-07

exclaimed, in IN awe-stricken wills
per: My God. Edith, my wife! Ant
had not even thought of her.
How would Edith take this change
of fortune? Edith? Their lives hal
drifted so widely apart during the
past ten years that he scarcely knew
or understood her. She had cared
little for luxury or social distinction
yet how changed was the fair, self
poised woman who bore his name
! from that young girl who had strOllet
with him on moonlit evenings, be
meath the old elms, so long ago!
All, well. She had still her small
Inheritance. for he had squandered
nothing which was net his own. He
had fully intended to run down to
Harport last week and see how she
was getting on, but it seemed impos'
sible then. and now.
There was a rustic in the doorway
and against the dark portiere WON.
ans slender figure was outlined, in
bold relief. The sensitive profile
quivered, and low voice. vibrant
with feeling, murmured; James,
James, | simply had to come, and so
took the evening train. am glad, oh,
so glad, to find you here! How white
and worn you look, though!
"Ruf thic hoe hoon cucb cod--o
dreadful day
The man WINGED as at touch upon
wound, but the low voice continued:
Let me tell you. This morning
there was terrible accident. was
at the beach when young doctor,
who had been stopping at the next
cottage. was drowned before my very
eyes. He was on his wedding trip,
and the little bride. poor girl! is fran
tic. But. James, the shock and pity
of 1t all made me see even more
clearly than ever before, how little
the world has to give us but these
three things, life and love and death. "
Her voice trembled, but with ges-
ture both winning and tender, she
held out her hands. as it too late
for us, even now, dear? You are an
ambitious man, but have you not yet
satisfied your pride" I'm not "a senti.
mentalist, but aren't we losing some
thing that is the best and sweetest
port of ovictopcoo Nothipu nountc
you see, but thesa three facts, life,
love and death"
And Death is swallowed up In VIC
tory" repeated the man, in hushed
monotone.
But the heart of the woman still
sought expression. Il have been lone
ly, so lonely, James If had had a
child" She turned her head to hide
the tears.
The man caught her in his arms.
But Edith, listen" he spoke with
apparent elort, ;.Iter long silence;
Il am ruined man. You have not
heard, but everything own is swept
away"
"A ruined man." she echoed, In per-
plexity There can be no ruin save
in dishonor. and you are not dishon'
ored." Proudly she raised her head,
and like a beacon to shipwrecked
mariner the light of her trust flashed
its message of hope to the spirit Of
the man before her
NO." rang his answer, thrilling with
the inspiring power of reawakened
courage. Defeated. but not dishon.
ored."
look OF almost maternal Joy and
yearning was on the woman's face, as
she softly rejoined: "Then nothing
aeems lost All that Is best remains
and at last. oh, my dear! we know how
much we need each other. Failure
means SO little. when 1t can bring even
greater Joy than success"
The hearers glance kindled in re-
spouse to her own. Edith. how often
have ! heard your father quote the
lines: What is our failure here but
triumph's evidenced" Never have
realized before how truly you are his
daughter in spirit. as in flesh"
They stepped to a window, and rails
Ing the curtain, looked out "See."
she cried. in joyous exultation. n new
day Is dawning. The night is gone.
and the east is full Of promise"
But the man looked not toward the
east, but into the clear eyes of the
woman. for In their light he saw not
only the evidence but the way
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