The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-05-05
HIS NAME WAS JOHN
BY STANLEY 3. HoUck.

6Cn6mlQS q MEANS VI Iclc'ih6 nA1SA
from a self.imposed dilemma OF which
he was on one horn and Marjory the
other.
She had started it three years be.
fore at a reception where they had
met. Since then neither had lost any
opportunity of assuring the other OF
his undying affection In many varied
and amusing ways.
Now he wanted seriously to tell her
of his love for her, but he had told
her Of 1t so often in fun that he
couldn't quite see any way Of making
her take his declaration as being
made seriously in earnest and not
made merely in fun.
"A penny for your thoughts, Jack,
she said. brightly. when at last she
arrived.
Thinking about you, Marjory." he
replied. 1.-THE trouble is that I'm afraid
you'll cut me dead II l tell you my
thoughts"
mo, won't"
"All right. Let's take walk down
the river, and I'll think 1t over"
he decided. making sudden reso-
luton.
AS they went along he began to
wonder what the outcome Of 1t all
would be. The more he thought the
weaker his resolution became-there
was Marjory, the prettiest and most
perfect girl in the world, and on the
other hand, here was he, just an or
binary, average sort OF a fellow.
At last they passed below the last
city bridge, and were alone by the
river, away from all the noise and 40
tivity of the busy city.
Are you going to tell me now!" she
asked.
mo, not yet" he answered, sparring
for time. but if you will tell me what
you were thinking about while we
were coming here, maybe I'll begin
to lead up to it."
II was wondering whether this
would be the last time would ever
take this walk, and you don't know
how sad 1t makes me feel to think how
soon my school days will be over for
ever"
That's just what I was thinking.
Marjory, and was wondering how
1t would seem next year to take this
walk without you. Do you know, I've
never taken this walk with any other
girl but you? and when think OF
you not being here next year, it makes
me feel as though I'll never go down
this way enjoying it the way have.
I'VE have had some mighty good
times together, haven't we, Jack?"
so good that I'll never forget
them" He paused little and then
began again: do you remember the
first night we met and became ac
quainted?"
Do l? Well, I should say l did.
don't believe two people ever became
so "chummy" in so short time as
we did; and you were just as impu.
dent as you could be, too"
DO you realize that this is the first
really serious talk we've ever had?"
he said.
Il do believe you're right, Jack; !
know couldn't crack joke today II
my life depended upon it."
Lets sit down on this tree trunk
awhile before We 60 back" he said
without replying.
For awhile neither spoke. Then he
said: "Marjory."
Yes, Jack"
Shall tell you now what I was
thinking Of when you found me at the
library steps?"
"Of course; that's what we came
way out here for, wasn't it? It must
be something important, or you
wouldn't have come SO far"
He turned his eyes upon hers and
they so spoke in anticipation of his
words that she instinctively felt what
he was about to say and slow flush
crept up over her cheeks and her eyes
dropped from his. He noticed it. and
1t gave him an inexplicable thrill Of
strength to say:
i was wondering whether you loved
me, Marjory, dear; l was wondering
whether l could come back here again
next year and be happy with you
gone. was thinking how much ]
needed you. Why, I've loved you ever
since first saw you, and every word
I've ever said to you in all our Joking
I've meant, and more, with all INV
heart and soul. Why, I've got so used
to thinking l belonged to you that ]
haven't done a thing all these years
without asking myself what you'd say
to 1t II you knew. l can't say any
more, dear. just love you, love you
all the time. Will you tell me. now,
what you are going to do with met"
linen she raised her eyes to hid
again, and they were glistening with
JOY.
On, Jack, you dear, dear, big, blind
soose-you're worse than Cupid him
SELL Then she was swallowed up in
a hungry embrace.
copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Col
Uselessness.