The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-31
SPEAKING OF CHANGES
BY cosTER BYLEs.

There was not a wilder boy in town
than young Cuthbert Tanhurst. All
the mothers with manageable daugh-
tiers held up their hands in horror at
the mere mention of his name. and
the men-ahout-town were unanimous
in pronouncing him a thoroughbred.
1t was partly the fault of his educa-
ton. His father had been most sue
cessful Spectator, and had taught his
son that he must spend his money
ike a gentleman or not at all.
The young fellow had imbibed aris-
tocratic desires from his earliest days,
he had learned never to stint himself,
never to do anything himself that
others could be hired to do for him.
and to believe that the one great OBJ
ject of living as to extract from
each day as much pleasure as the
hours would hold
Then his father dropped suddenly
from tie position Of millionaire to
that OF paaper, a net unusual change
on the st2se Of -, collation.. 4 grand
coup Went 2roa5. ard Tanhurst, ST..
was out Of the game for good The
shock killed III, old entleman, and
when the lawyers We're done with the
settlements. Cuthbert found himself
penniless.
1t was against his grain to 60 to
work. so he became an habitue of the
poker rooms at fashionable clubs and
a prominent figure at the race
courses. 1t was at this time that his
name became as a red rag to the
good people of the town. With very
few exceptions all the strictly proper
folks who had been glad to accept the
hospitality of Tanhurst, ST., turned
away their heads when they saw the
son.
At the close OF a summer day he
was walking home In a sullcn mood.
1t had been a bad day. misfortune
had logged him persistently, and he
was asking himself what was the use
of continuing it all lie was Of no
good to himself, and there was no one
else in the world who cared for him.
or Of whom he dared think as caring
for him. In the old days of luxury he
had always hoped to call Marie Fair
born his own, but now it was too late.
He had said to himself in the years
past that after taste of life there
would be nothing like a quiet home
shared with Marie She had never
disguised her liking for him But
now? He had not dared to so near
the Fairborn house for over a year;
when he had seen Marie he lodged
round corners and avoided her. Now
she was in his thoughts as a prize
that he had long ago forfeited and
must forget, with other things. His
thoughts encompassod him in such
mist of gloom that he hardly looked
where he was going The lake was
before him and he was walking toward
1t. He never noticed the figures that
were approaching him. A sweet voice,
like the memory of an old perfume,
aroused him.
why. Cuthbert!" Marie FairbOrn
stood before him. He saw a look Of
wonder and pity within her eyes.
II beg your pardon" he exclaimed
confusedly. Il was not thinking-l
never noticed" he moved as though
to pass on. but the girl stopped him.
"Cuthbert," she said, why won't
you speak to me? haven't seen you
for ever SO long"
Marie" he returned desperately.
I'm not At. If people should see you
talking to me! Really, Id better CO."
What nonsense, Cuthbert. You're
At enough for me- Come, you shall
walk with me and tell me every.
thing"
With much incoherency Cuthbert
told the story of his downfall. or as
much Of 1t as he could relate without
breaking. Somehow the soft eyes OF
the girl BY his side led him to tell the
story as he would have told 1t to no
other human being. He spoke Of his
sins. his sorrows, his hopes. and Of
his present despair.
$50 you see. Marie" he said at the
finish. I'm Of no use at all. I might
- we'll get out OF the running alto
gether Why should take the trouble
to work and struggle? | do not care
enough for myself. now. to do that"
But II there was some one else
that you cared for. some one who
would try to teach you to win back
your selfrespect. would you not try
them"
But there Is no one." he responded.
Perhaps, II there was-but why
think Of it,"
But there Is some one, Cuthbert."
A little hand touched his gently. and
he turned from his moody gazing to
look down at the girl.
Marie" he exclaimed. almost fierce
ly, don't play with me. Are you in
earnest? You don't really mean that
you will be that some one, do you?
You can't-you can't-what-" He
and kissed the gloved hand
fervently.