The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-20

! hel 1lSH VIII ana fascination. Con
stance went through an eternity O
torture before she plucked up courage
TO take down her hands, remove hel
pumps and slide away.
Soon she was safe out of sight. She
stopped near a swift little brool
where the sunset was mirrored rosily
IN the clear water. The stiffness OF
| the woods soothed her a little and
she began to plan how she could find
the others and get home without &C
ceptlng Henry's escort. They were
all IN pairs, and some one would in
slst on going with her. Jack Manning
had brought Mamie.
Her shoes still in her hand, she sat
down, curling her feet under her. the
thought striking her with shame that
she loved Henry Peyton before he
mad spoken Of love to her,
As she sat there she heard a crash
IN the bushes and in moment Jack
Manning, whom she hated, came
staggering up to her.
Hello! Guess you and I'll have to
console each other We seem to be
deserted He seated himself beside
her, scanning her admiringly with his
bold, dark eyes.
She flushed in distress.
Say, little one, Ill take off my
shoes, too, and we'll 60 wading. Is
that what you came for?" She shook
her head
I don't like you Go away, Please
I'm tired and want to think"
You can think when you're older
and not so pretty, Trimmings no job
for beauty-come, console me for
Mamie. She wouldn't mind consoling
fellow"
Constance jumped up, snatching her
shoes, and ran away from him as fast
as she could 1t was growing dusk
and she was timid-indeed deathly
afraid, but of him more than of a
whole lonely forest He looked after
her moment, bit off the end of a
fresh cigar and muttered to himself:
Turned down, Ell? Went too fast
with her Is Peyton crazy to forget
peach like that for-Mame?" He lit
his cigar and sauntered off. Finally
he found the others grouped under the
trees preparing to 60 home
Presently Henry brought Mamie
back, the girl sober-faced, her eyes
little red, but the man was very quiet
Where's Constance?" he demanded,
Mrs. Turner, the ehaperon, did not
know.
i think you're the one to know"
she remarked, significantly, and it's
getting dark. Better look for her
| saw her go off by herself" Henry
strobe off.
A half hour later In the deep dusk, |
alarmed, he was still |
searching. He called her name aloud, |
but she did not answer What had |
become Of her? His heart failed him. |
Why had he left her even a moment? |
Why had he bothered to save a girl |
ike Name from her own undoing. II
she wanted to play with Manning till
4 good chap like Thorne was sick of
ler-it was her business.
Constance" he called "Connie!"
Then going around big tree, he came
lpon her white little figure huddled
against the trunk. Her hands In her
Ibsurd fashion were over her ears.
She was crying softly. He rushed up
o her, taking down her hands and
baking her bit from sheer relief to
Ind her safe.
"Connie-darling! you frightened
ne to death! What made you hide?"
Ie drew her toward him. but she
reed herself firmly. shaking her head
"Constancel You-know love
GU. didn't intend to tell you yet
ut it's out now Don't you-care for
10 at all?"
You were-making-love to her
nder a tree-I saw-but | didn't !
stem" ]
The man laughed and again drew Z
er to him despite herself
Making love TO Mamie Travis? I'm
OF fool l was lecturing her within +.
D inch Of her life about that scamp !
aiming! Perhaps she was not worth I
but I've known her a long time"
onstanee chung close to him {
He came down to the brook and 4
,thered mel ran away" z
I'll settle with him, Connie. But !.
, you love me. dear?" s
She leaned willingly against him I,
"You-know | do" she said. You 9
low VIII you take me home now" x
8 had just tucked her hand under his g
n when the others came looking for Z.
en- both Together they walked to- g,
lrd the trolley line, and the night )
IS sweet to them. g
opyright, 1914 by the Mcclure Newspa- !,
per Syndicate) 81