The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-30

10. WV every little detail
of it. She had heard it all over Eu-
rope, and now they were back in New
York after two years, it would be just
the same. There would be several
hours of talk after they were settled
in their room, all the old reproaches
would be gone over, and their ex-
penses, and the alarming decrease
quarterly in the income from the west.
1t would end with the passionate dec
laration that the fate of the whole
family was in Kathryn's hands. and IT
she didn't marry money pretty soon,
something would snap under the
strain.
Let it snap" Kit would say, calmly.
Nobody wants this mad whirl but
you, mumsie. I'd be perfectly con-
tented to stay out home where we be-
long. You're using up every last cent
Uncle Peter left US trying to marry
me off, and won't be a speculation
for anybody. l want to fall in love.
want to have every last earthly thrill
that all the poets have gone mad
about. Isn't there anything in 1t at
all? Weren't you in love, munster?
Heaven help me, yes, my dear,
was" Mrs. Burroughs would say with
portentous warning. You know
Punch's advice. l would change it. He
said to persons about to be married.
Don't say to persons about to fall
in love, Don't Love is natures trap.
l think | may safely say that civiliza-
ton has built protected right of way
roundabout it. Do you know why !
am taking you to the Langhorne"
Kit glanced up from her pile of mail.
There was curious light in her eyes,
little happy smile lowering on her
lips.
Il don't care where we go SO long as
we're back in New York again"
prince Waldemar preceded US by
one boat. He will be here for six
months, right here, Kit, at this same
hotel, and you know he was perfectly
mad about you. He trailed US all over
Europe last winter"
Eyes, he did. Why? Because you
and old Lady Varic spread the report
that we were awfully rich, and he was
after the money. He wouldn't have
cared, mumsie, whether 1t had been
you or myself, just as long as he got
a good grip on poor dads gold sacks.
I've just had letter from Ben and
he's coming east on some business
DEAL"
Kathryn. shall you see him here.
Ben Colby!"
Kathryn nodded her head amusediy.
Right here, bless him, and won't l
be glad to see him after the varied as
sortment of men we've been treated
to on the continent? Mumsie, you
would never be cross with Ben. Why,
he's been with US ever since we had
the old lodging shack for the boys up
above the mines ten years ago."
Ben arrived the week after they
crossed the ocean. Mrs. Burroughs
had gone calling with the prince.
ooh, Ben, l wish you'd been with
me-" she said, holding both Of her
hands out to his eager grasp.
Lord, it's good to look at you. Kit.
They haven't spoiled you, have they?
Do you mind my coming to see your?
IF you hadn't, Ben Colby. just il
you hadn't" she laughed back.
Where are you stopping?"
why, er-with friends" said Ben
guardedly. Seems good to see the
old town"
Il didn't know you had been here
before"
81 wed here, about six years ago.
You know l left the camp twice to
come back east. That was when It
was.
Its bit different now, grille,
though. I've struck it rich out yon-
der You know the old claims, 20 of
them, that went with the Creighton
deal. and everybody laughed at me for
buying Well, 1t looks like radium.
I'm not letting go Of my interests.
They've formed company, and paid
cash SO far. Will you be my partner,
Kit?"
And Kit looked up at the dear boy
ish face that she had dreamt of on the
other side, and carried In her heart Of
hearts. Somehow 1t all seemed part
of the Maytime, and the calling birds
around them, and the tender green
everywhere. Would she go back to
Nevada? Ben caught the look in her
eyes, and right there he took her In
his arms.
Kit was dressing for dinner when
Mrs. Burroughs came back from tea.
MY DEAR" she began, meanfully,
my dear, have news. | heard this
afternoon at Mrs. Cruger Colby's that
Ben Colby is her grandson. He threw
up society and went out west for fun
and adventure. Now he's made a for
tune, she says. l do hope, dear heart,
that you have not written anything
hasty or unkind to dear old Ben"
"Mumsie, you precious fraud, you"
laughed Kit You're a dear old
weather vane, and ! can look right
through you. told Ben I'd marry him
this afternoon"