The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-15

their household, and that she was to
bestow less time and attention upon
him.
why, Walter protested Edna,
half amused and wholly amazed, Bill
ly and have been brought up like
brother and sister, and had never
been separated until he went west
few years ago. couldn't get up the
least sentiment for him even II l
did Vt care for you"
but you are not brother and sister.
and tell you frankly it maddens me
to see him appropriate you as mat
ter of course, and | will not permit
you to drive with him as frequently
as you do.
Further argument followed, but
Walter was peremptory in reiterating
his commands He left the city that
night Oh a business trip, and in his
absence Edna made her plans quietly
and unalterably
walter, she said coldly on his re-
turn, Il think it advisable that we
separate. Not on Billy's account,
not because he is anything to me, but
because Of your stand in this matter"
IF YOU desire a separation" he
said in low, strange voice YOU shall
have one"
She was little startled and piqued
by his ready acquiescencc.
There is one point he said, you
have overlooked. | cannot be sepa.
rated altogether from Lillian"
walter. As if would put feath-
er between YOU two. She shall come
to YOU as often as YOU desire"
The next day he moved into apart
ments, and Edna's aunt came to her.
1t was the time of year when nearly
every one was out of town, and the
few who came to the house supposed
Walter to be absent on one Of his fire.
Quent business trips
AS she sat alone in her boudoir,
bordering over the estraugement, she
heard the patter of little steps in the
hall, and she lifted her head expect.
antly, Lillian had been spending the
day with her father.
"Oh mammal" exclaimed the little
girl excitedly Il had such a lovely
time We all went on the river in
| big boat-and-'
who went with YOU" asked Edna,
quickly.
Papa and his friend"
what friend?'
"A new friend. Jessie"
Lillian" she said, angrily, don't
ever mention that Jessie's name to me
/ again"
Jessie vas lovely to me, l like
Jessie!"
So the intriguing Jessie was winning
her childs affections as we'll as her
husbands. She decided that she would
not allow the child to go to her father
! again She spent miserable night
| When the summons came for Lillian
! again the next morning, Edna, who
loved her child passionately, had not
the heart to refuse Lillians pleading.
Towards dusk as she was beginning
to be anxious at Lillian's prolonged
absence. Doctor Brandon, an old
friend, was announced.
why. DOCTOR" she cried, delighted.
ly, Il didn't know you had returned.
II came home few days ago and
have been trying to CALL but have
been prevented. Are you quite well!"
he asked
"Oh. yes, very we'll. | want you to
stay until Lillian comes. She has
grown So"
81 came to tell you about Lillian.
have just come from-her fathers.
She is slightly ill-no. don't be
alarmed. It's a very slight disorder,
but the weather has changed so sud.
denly, thought it prudent for her to
remain indoors for day or two. She
wants you--in fact, won't stay tonight
without you May l take you back
with me? My carriage is here"
Doctor Brandon" she exclaimed.
"isn't you first name Jesse?"
why. yes" he replied in surprise.
"And were you up the river with
Walter and Lillian yesterday
Yes; the child asked me what my
name was, and told her JESSE and
she proceeded to call me that to MY
delight and her fathers distress"
He wondered at the radiant face up
lifted. As they came into Walters
apartments she heard door open.
walter" she said, yearningly, II
know, now, how you felt about
Billy"
Dear" he said when she was 70
leased from his embrace, will you
stop those awful proceedings?"
Darling, never began them! I
simply couldn't"
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