The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-01-28


after graduating
from the public schools. Also she
was ambitious and belonged to liter
airy clubs. Once she had Q piece In
the Daily Palladium. It was In the
form Of communication, was nearly
column long and was signed with
her name In full, Minnie Minerva Car.
son. It was entitled The Status OF
the Women Of Ancient Greece Com
pared With That Of the American
Women OF Today Bob had seen II
and treasured the paper among his
few valuables. Had he heard the com.
ment Of the editor Of the Palladium.
Il don't know what in thunder it
means. but we've got to give the
women show or down goes the cir.
culation." he might not have felt 50
much awe.
The one great thought the piece In
the paper gave Bob was that to &C
Quire this divinity he would have to
lift himself to a plane somewhat ap-
preaching hers. He was confirmed In
this idea by overhearing a bit Of con.
versation between Miss Carson and
Stokes, the assistant secretary Of the
company. who was very sweet on
Miss Carson.
One day they stood near where Bob
was working and he overheard their
conversation. It was all about books
and authors and plays and philosophy
and poetry and theories Of life and
things Of which Bob had very dim
comprehension. But his love was
overmastering and when once he rec
ognized his passion he set about find.
ing a way to crafty 1t with the same
logged persistence that had made him
the best workman In the shop. Grasp
ing the idea that learning was the
first step to put him within hailing
distance of the maiden Of his choice,
he enrolled himself in a night school
and began slowly to master the rudi.
ments.
In the meantime Stokes had been
intrenching himself more and more In
Miss Carson's heart He was hand.
some, college bred, Of good family,
with a position in the best society,
drawing good salary and with every
reason to anticipate rapid advance
ment and a liberal inheritance. It
was altogether natural that Miss Car.
son should regard him with favor.
But Bob knew that Stokes was not
all that the husband of Miss Carson
should be and he bided his time His
opportunity came. He was waiting
for street car one day when Stokes
came down the street Just as he was
passing Bob a woman met him. She
greeted him with a broken-hearted
cry.
Harry. Harry" she cried. "Oh
where have you been? Why have you
deserted me?'
Stokes pulled the pathetic, weeping
creature into hallway out of sight, |
but Bob could not help hearing what
was said.
You promised to marry me, you
know you did, hundred, five hundred
lines. And after 1t was too late you
an away and | found that you had
led to me and that do not even
Inow your real NAME"
What Stokes said was in SO low a
'oice Bob did not hear 1t. But the
woman replied:
Il don't want to be taken care Of In
hat way. want an honest name for
Myself and my child. l can work my
myers off for food and shelter, but I
'ant an honest name-and want I
on, Harry, because love you"
Stokes said something else and they \
ent I'D the stairs In the office build y
lg. !
"Mr. Timmins."
Bob turned and encountered a white Z
zee close to his. 1t was that Of Min e
Q Carson. She evidently had heard 3
e conversation in the stairway. His 2
art gave great, triumphant leap.
WAS that Mr. Stokes talking to e
at girl In there? l came along just 3
ter they went in. From the glimpse Z
got thought it was he. Was it?" {
Bob never thought so fast In his 2
e. As he looked into the anxious 8
es and drawn face of the girl he z
allied in a flash that she loved :
okes and that the truth would g
aak her heart. &
NO, 1t was not Stokes" he said z
nply.
Thank Cod" said the girl. break. 2
: into sunny smile. Thank you B
d pardon me for my idle curiosity" Z
And she tripped lightly down the 8
'eet, leaving Bob with . lsedsn G
art Ia