The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-04-30

some casual question she found that
Emil and not John Day was bringing
Louise home from evening gatherings.
You'll feel perfectly safe about me
now, won't you, Marcia?" laughed
Louise. Good old Emil. You know
you said I was too young for anything
serious. Anyway, he is much more
interested than John Day"
"Of course" said Marcia, why don't
you ask him to come in?"
81 do-always," said the girl. "but he
never will"
1t was just one little thing more to
be borne, hearing them come up the
walk together. How could he help be-
ing attracted by her fresh, young
beauty? Marcia had never felt 30 OLD
in her life as when she heard his
voice through the closed door. That
was how 1t was going to be after this
through the closed door.
One day Emil's mother came to see
her.
MRS. Mccain asked for you espe-
cially, Marcia" said Aunt Martha. nut
tering. $50 I'll 60 upstairs"
Emils mother was like Emil She
knew what she wanted and she had
Emil's compelling gray eyes.
"Yes, l came to see you. Marcia, 30
l didn't pretend that came to make
family call. I've come to plead for
Emil. l never thought" with brave
smile, that l should ever be begging
any girl to take my boy away from
me, but that Is just what seem to be
doing. But it's all right, for love you
both, and-don't you think, dear. you
are making mistaken"
But promised mother" said Mar
, cia miserably.
: "Yes, | know. Emil tells me things
yet Your mother was my dearest
t friend, but if she were here now she
. would release you from this promise,
Indeed, it Is outlawed; Louise can take
a your place. 1t Is only morbid sense
I" of duty that keeps you from seeing It
Tell your father all about it; he VIII
t not stand In the way Of your happl
ness"
Q I'm Peale,' said Marcia, weakly
9 "and the Peales-"
r yes, l know, but yoa won't be
r Peale long. If Emil can have his wa,
o. Marcia, lie is too short and happi
! ness is too precious to be wasted II
; this way"
: well, will talk with father.
Q thought perhaps, Emil was getting
used to It; that he,had begun not te
v care"
8 mo more than you have. He II
9 wretchedly unhappy, though he doesn',
0 show it. You cannot expect a man tt
60 around with his heart on his sleeve
: But there is just one thing. Marcia
8 that I do think" and there crept int
s her voice the same tone Of Quie'
Q finality that she remembered in thai
= last talk with Emil, II you cannot
marry 1t should be broken of abso
lutely. He would better 60 away:
9 shall urge him to-"
Il 20, not that" said the girl. Il vii
Q i will see what can do"
And hope you don't think me
t meddling old woman, dear child. 1t II
n Just that love you both"
!; That evening as she and her fathe
sat alone she told him.
It why, Marcia! Why, Marcia! Poo
}. little girl. l never thought of such ,
% thing. You must not do this: there 4
y no need Of It"
And with a few wise and lovinl
:. words he set her feet in the straigh
It and shining path Of happiness. An,
% while they sat in silence Louise an
Emil came up the walk.
70 Wont you come in," they heard he
say in her fresh. high young voice.
It mo, thank you," he answered. an
IT turned and went slowly down the wall
n 1t was early spring now. The sof
ID south wind was blowing. The moo
le shone down over his right shoulder
n And all at once a shadow was walkin
beside his own and hand was on hi
arm.
Wont you come in?" the shado'
- said,
And he went in.
r Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure New.
ar paper Syndicatel