The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-06

oiounu " SHdp up the place, tn
managing editor had said.
Stewart had decided to take his ad
vice. still planning how he might hav,
chance to talk with Margaret. Sh,
knew he had applied for the position
out as she was away all morning OF
an assignment, she didn't know O
his acceptance.
Every minute is precious. for
have thousand things to do" fumet
the young fellow. as he paced rest
lessly up and down the platform. III
was low trick Of Davis to beat me
TO 1t here, when he knew | was 90
Ing away SO soon."
At last the next car came and bore
him back to town.
When he reached the office It was
just as he expected. Margaret had
gone home to dinner. He called up
ner boarding place. She was there,
but when he asked to come down that
evening she replied that she was 60
Ing to report another wedding which
was going to occur In that vicinity
that evening. But you may come and
go with me II you like. 1t won't take
me long"
When he told her Of his intended
departure next day, her invitation was
more insistent.
With good-by handshakes to other
members Of the staff, Stewart left the
office. On the way to his room he
stopped and got lunch at a restaurant.
then he went off home and began has
lily to pack his trunk. AS he worked
ne glanced around the bare little room
where he had passed many lonely,
homesick, discouraging moments.
I've hated the place, but 1t seems
quite like home when go to leave it,"
ne thought Of his old, pleasant home
In the little town Of Carbon which
ne had left to take his first news
paper position here, and his sense
OF inconsistencies increased 1T will
all be to do over again when reach
New York, only it will be much hard
er to gain foothold there"
lie found Margaret waiting for him
when he reached her boarding place.
She had on her wraps. and her brown
eyes were shining under the smart
little toQue.
On the way he told her more about
his new position, and his hopes and
plans for making good She was all
Kindness and attention, yet, withal, he
had the sensation that she was trying
to steer the conversation away from
1t seemed to him that
she dragged out the work unnecessar-
lily long at the house; and when they
were at last free to 60, he took mat
tiers into his own hands, and insisted
that the longest way round was the
shortest way home.
Has Davis asked you to marry
him." he asked.
AT first she looked offended, then
she said archly, What il he has?"
i want to know If you accepted
him"
i probably shouldn't be walking
here with you If | had she laughed.
What difference does 1t make?"
Merely, that I'm going to ask you
he same thing And he poured out
he love and longing Of the last
months.
Instead Of the waste of boarding
louses it would mean homeland
hats as near heaven as we ever get
IN this earth, reckon" he ended hus-
lilly.
For few moments there was ST.
ence, and they walked on beneath
he trees which rustled their dry
caves in the soft autumn night. He,
n alternate hope and despair; she,
With her eyes turned away, gazed up
t the hazy harvest moon. But by
he light Of it, when her glance met
is, he could see they were full OF
ears II
Il, too, am tired of reflected 10y"
he answered slowly, nodding toward 4
er reporters notebook he was car
wing. Instead Of writing up other \
copies engagements and weddings
i want one Of my own"
Copyright 1914. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)