The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-09
BY CLIFTON BINGHAM.

morals unimpeachable, barring the
said fact that he had been known to
attend morning service at St. John s
in boating fl.nnels. But Mrs. Martyr
had discovered Somebody Else whose
position was even more excellent still,
and whose moral character possessed
no flaw whatever. An imperceptible
change occurred in Cloudie's manner
towards the Man. The Man, though
a mere Man, noticed 1t. He spoke;
she resented it; they quarreled; it
was all over.
How would he take it," thought
Cloudie. OF course, obviously, like a
Thanksgiving.
III you do not write me-" he told her,
by six o'clock today, recalling all
you have said | will shoot myself. l
don't care. 1t sounds bombast, but to-
morrow you will know that it is not.
mean it. l will not give you up; and
if you throw me over, will do as |
have said"
1T was so like Mani" said Cloudie.
But though she laughed when the Man
had gone away, she did feel a tiny bit
uneasy at heart about him. He had
been very fond of her, very true to
her, and was really man, not love-
sick boy.
The Man strobe away with set
face. His pride had been touched to
the quick; and he cared for her. Lit
tie light fiirtations he had had by the
score. But nothing had ever gone SO
deeply with him as this.
He had believed in her thoroughly,
though she had been cold to him some
times, at others coquettish, and at no
time at all demonstrative. Still, she
was woman. He could not expect
her to show him such devotion as was
in his heart for her, and which he, be-
ing man, was afforded many oppor-
tunities of displaying, And now, she
had thrown him over 1T was so like
a woman" said the Man, bitterly.
He strobe home, shut himself into
his room, and sat down to wait until
six o'clock.
1t was pleasant afternoon for
cycling. The Rivercourt roads were
fairly level and seldom very muddy.
Cloudie cycled well, and, being a
hearty, healthy English girl, enjoyed
her spin immensely. Now and then
she bethought herself of her lover and
smiled. She met Somebody Else a
mile out of Rivercourt, and returned
his boy with pretty blush.
Rivercourt church chimes rang out
the half-hour past six. Cloudies heart
gave great spring within her. Sup
pose-suppose- he should
have meant what he said! She was
riding past the river now, and the light
was beginning to fade. The running
stream looked suggestive of horror.
Oh! why had she not written? She
could have written and temporized,
that would have been easy. But it was
too late.
A shot rang out on the darkening
air. 1t struck pang of fear to
Cloudie's heart. Her knees trembled
so that she could not ride. She dis.
mounted and wheeled her machine be.
side her until she reached a seat be.
side the river. She sat down and
tried to think what to do.
Some one sitting upon the next seat
struck match and lit a cigarette.
Something in the action seemed ia
miliar. Cloudie rose to her feet and
began to totter tremblngly towards
the smoker. At the same moment he
rose and went towards the river. As
he stood looking at the turbid stream,
rapidly darkening in the twilight,
something silvery, shining, suggestive,
cleaned in his hand.
Cloudie gave wild rush forward
and almost fell at his feet.
Frank. Frank, no." she cried, and
burst into incoherent tears.
Picking her up, and putting his arms
about her, the Man kissed her ten
derby.
My darling, what is the matter?"
It was some moments before Cloudie
could speak.
Say you did not mean it-say you
did not mean it," she cried, clinging
to her old lover.
Mean what?" said the Man.
What you told me-"
For answer the Man kissed her
mouth, now uplifted to his.
But that-that in your hand?"
"The silver cigarette case you gave
me on my birthday, Cloudie dear"
"Oh."
What did you think it was ?" de-
manded the Man. Then a light broke
in upon him; to his credit be it said
that though tempted to laugh, he gath.
cred the woman he loved into his arms,
and kissed her again and again.
Il need not write, Frank?" said she,
through her tears.
No." said the Man.
And you will not shoot-ugh!-
YOURSELF"
NO." said the Man.
Kiss me, kiss me Frank"
II was so like a woman. But the
Man kissed her, and said nothing.
So like Man!