The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-21
TO CROWN Her LOVE
By EMILY BEE.

year Of their acquaintance. That meant
Eve celebrations. And each had enoeo
with a declaration from him which she
parted, and question from him 70
which she would not give definite an
swer.
That night they sat in the glittering
restaurant, part of the noisy hilarious
crowd, and yet by their sincerity and
simplicity differentiated from that
crowd.
With the rest Of the crowd they ate,
drank and laughed.
A bell struck, and at the sound the
great noisy throng hushed suddenly,
voluntarily, expectantly. A distant
door opened and silken silvery page
led in rosy child, typifying the New
Year. A thousand chimes rang out
The diners sprang to their feet, and
the scene in the restaurant became
pandemonium. She alone was silent.
with fixed smile. As her escort
joined those about them in the cry OF
Happy New Year! she only smiled
and smiled. Had she emitted single
sound, it would have been cry.
The first confusion over, they set
tied in their chairs again. Her eyes
were fixed upon her plate. Before
raising them she must be sure that
they were yelled. Last year he had
seized this moment to speak to her.
This year-could she live through this
year?
He was relating a story, doubtless
amusing. With an effort she gave
him attention. Something was wrong.
He no longer cared Could she keep
him from knowing that she did, that
after all, she did? He would not
speak.
Rather abruptly he leaned back, as
if he, too, wearied of the face they
played. Aren't you bored with this,
Alice? 1t only lasts-so long. Let's
CO."
She nodded and rose. He held her
wrap, and as she slipped into its loose
warm folds, his fingers touched her
shoulder. She could feel the warm
blood rise to that touch, and miserably
conscious, she fastened her wrap with
out glance in his direction. He
picked up her white gloves and handed
them to her. She observed, with dull
surprise, that his hand was bit un-
steady. In flash she recollected-she
was almost positive of it-that the fin
gers touching her shoulder had trem-
bled. She looked up at him swiftly,
caught him Of guard, and read the
bitterness in his eyes.
Threading her way before him,
through lines Of colorful sparkling
tables, the dis lance to the door seemed
intermEably long She must verify
that glimpse into his soul If she had
seen Alright, then he still cared. 1t
was only Indifference that proved the
death of love.
AS the cold air of the street smote
them, they breathed deeply of it's fresh
! ness. Lets walk" he said
Again she only nodded. Now" she
thought, Nov, perhaps he will speak"
But they walked on in silence, a ST.
lence almost unbearable to both of
them. 1t was after they had travelled
! many blocks, passed out of the dis
! trict of earlsh merry-making, were ap-
preaching the Threshold at which
they must part, that she took her fate
in her hands.
( Tonight" she said, endeavoring to
speak casually, lightly, I'VE have omit
ted a part of our ancient and honor
able formula
Since it is only a formula" he said,
1T is better omitted. The times are
against Journalism
Put the occasion is not complete
without it, she persisted with a soft
laugh, the while her eyes were blank
with pain.
ut is not only complete, but fin
ished," he said.
! They walked on. She was praying
for strength to carry her through the
little distance remaining, until-until
the end. So he thought she had trifed
with him! He would not understand.
A wild determination came to her. He
should understand! AS though they
had both been speaking frankly, she
said. I will answer your words Of last
year, and the year before, and years
before. | could not give myself to
you while | was failure. / should
have been less worth winning. | have
succeeded now. The commission has
come to me, to make the mural paint.
ings for the New Center. 1t will be
in the papers tomorrow. You are the
only one who knows"
Then you are worth winning now ?"
he asked calmly.
Now she said to herself, my
heart will surely break"
1T is only when you love that Won
are worth winning. When you love.
and when love you"
Now" she said to herself. "my
heart is surely broken. 1t does not
matter what say now" To him she
said. in voice like death, 81 under
stand. 1t is too late"
Il am bitter against you," he said
Il am sorry. 1t is hard for a man to
forgive the woman who does not want
him, the woman who prefers success
to love"