The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-20
THROUGH ACID TEST
N KATHERINE AoPsoN.


N KATHERINE hoPsoN.
Stephen Miles sat stunned, whine
the letter fell UNDECIDED from his nm
.gers.
II can't believe IT. can't" ne
exclaimed over and over Then ne
picked up Avis Cordon's letter again
and reread the last page:
Il hope what I'm going to say won
hurt you, Stephen. We have been very
good friends, and hope always SHAH
be, but this is probably the last letter
! shall ever write you, for l am going
to be married in October. My fiance Is
q man l met this summer while visit
Ing Uncle Alfred, In Denver. Robert
Harley is owner Of q large silver mine
In the Tahoe valley, and is a man OF
ability who inspires one with conn
dence."
At this last sentence Stephen WINGED.
That's more than she could say OF
me. But it wasn't because ! didn't
try to make good" His mind went
back over the past. which seemed q
series Of misfortunes, beginning with
loss Of health, then position and pros
poets. And now, after two years OF
fierce struggle he had regained all
three.
But on the eve Of success have
lost my sweetheart" There was q
wounded boyish look IN his gray eyes.
II don't wonder she grew tired Of wait
ing-and an offer from another man
in settled, comfortable circumstances
seemed attractive after the tales OF
encouragement which were all l had
to give her for 80 long! But. oh. Avis!
Avis! II only you had held on little
longer, all would have come right
for us!"
He laid his head down on the old
student table-where for 80 many
nights after a weary evenings work.
he had written his daily letter to
Avis. That hour for writing had been
the brightest one Of the "a.
III I'd received this letter six
months ago-or even four, 1t would
merely have seemed part Of my chap
ter of bad luck, but now when l
thought things had taken turn for
the better, this comes % Knockout
blow"
For long time he sat with head
bowed on his arm in thoughtful 81.
lence, then he Strengthened up. We'll,
it's a blow ! must take like q man"
Squaring his shoulders he got out writ
ing materials and wrote-wrote in the
graceful, kindly way which had al
ways characterized him even In mo-
ments of deepest encouragement, and
wished her all good luck and happi-
ness.
There was another moment Of an.
guish when he wrapped up her letters
and photograph to send back They
had helped him over so many hard
places. IF ! could only keep this
thought he, as he looked at her pic
ture.
In way he was glad he did not
know the exact date Of her wedding.
Yet each day during the month Of o.
tober he wondered II this we're the
one. He had intended to return this
fall to the old town In Ohio to visit
his parents. But he could not 60
now-not until Avis was married and
gone from there. He decided to &C.
cept an offer he had received Of q po-
sition in Montana.
His train left st. Paul late In the
evening, but he entered the Pullman
early to get we'll settled. With q
sense of relief he laid down his grip
and prepared to make himself COM
Portable in the seat, when he glanced
carelessly through the car-and there
before him, across the aisle, sat Avis
and-the man.
Stephen stared In blank amazement.
We'll. of all predicaments!" he ejac-
ulated. II have tried to give her up
with the best grace possible, but I'm
not equal to sitting across from her
for two days and witnessing another
mans happiness. Besides, the situa-
ton would be bit embarrassing for
her. Quietly he picked up his bag
and left the car.
He went back to the ticket ONCE and
arranged to have his berth changed to
another car. 1t was necessary for him
to 60 on that train to meet his bust
ness appointment, but he could and
would avoid the bridal couple. He
would time his going into the diner
90 as not to meet them The first day
he was successful They seemed al.
ways to 60 In at the FIRST call, but at
noon the second day they were late,
and Stephen, supposing they had
come and gone, was just beginning
hi dinner when they entered.
They went to the end table, and
Avis did not see him. Her back was
turned, but he could see her face re-
ilected in the mirror. II was not
happy face. For one moment Stephen
felt q human CLEAN Of satisfaction
that she had not found the anticipat-
ed Joy with this other man. Then like
the acid test which brings out gold