The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-01-08

Swallowed her. Size had no thought of
eavesdropping but an indefnable
sense of danger to her loved one held
her practically Gu guard.
The low hu'n Of voices came to her
hearing, thea 10 words: Published
love letters maize in, arcstinG reading.
There was ali indignant response
from her husband. Then the knocking
tones OF the other: You'd better
come-and bring Inc money with you"
Clara Quoted her emotions as Err.
vim came up the walk. She was smil-
ing, caressing AZ ever as her husband
reached her
"Oh, Erwin" she said quickly, there
was a man here to see you a few
minutes since"
Yes, just met him at the gate"
replied her husband. "A matter Of
business"
During the evening meal the ever
watchful Clara noted an unaccustomed
restraint in Ervin's manner. When
he went up to their room however, he
, kissed her more fondly than ever, as
he told her that he wished to get a
light overcoat and would be gone on
a business call for about an hour.
Restless and anxious, Clara went up
to their apartment after he had gone.
She noticed a drawer in which her
husband kept his private papers half
open. The cover of the box in which
she knew he usually kept some ready
cash stood carelessly open and the
FOX was empty.
Again her heart sank. She went
back down stairs and stole to a dark
corner of the parlor away from her
| mother and the others Her husband
held q secret from her and what little
she had seen on the surface concern
ing it bewildered and alarmed her.
IL will not ask him, never!" she
breathed. "No cloud shall come be-
tween us of distrust. l took him on
faith--I will believe in him to the
end"
She heard her husband come in and
hasten up the stairs. She awaited his
appearance in the parlor for nearly
half an hour, but he did not come.
Then Clara went tremblingly, fear
somely up the stairs.
Clara opened the door softly. Her
husband sat at a table. He was alb
sorbed in reading a letter. Beside
him there were half dozen other
letters. His face was drawn and pale.
May l come in, dear?" she asked
gently.
Erwin Dodge sprang to his feet
quickly. He included the letter In his
hand and those upon the table In a
quick grasp, sliding the mass into his
pocket. Then, smiling with tender
gesture, he drew her to his knee.
Looking over some papers," he said
casually, affecting calmness with a
mighty and a futile effort. "Why, my
darling! what Is the matter?"
Clara could not restrain from break.
ing down. A barrier seemed rising
between them. Her faith, her patience
gave way.
"Oh, Erwin" she sobbed, in the
midst of wild uncomfortable storm
Of tears. "let me share your trouble.
1t is about that man who came here
tonight-it is about those letters you
we're reading! Let me see them, let
there be no secret between US two,
who must love one another always, al
ways, just as dearly as now!"
He placed her gently in a chair fac
ing him. He regarded her gravely.
"My DEAR" he said, there is no
trouble. 1t ends with the destruction
of those few letters. Do not ask to
see them. They are dead issue and
there is nothing to fear and nothing
to worry over"
"Oh, Erwin, please tell me all! l
know that you are bravely carrying
some terrible burden. Oh, let me
share it with you!"
For moment he was silent. He
sighed deeply. He met her glance
with one of infinite love and trust.
Remember" he said, 81 ask no ex.
PLANTATION. 1t is of the past dead and
buried, like my own mistakes long
since" and he handed her the letters.
With a grasp Clara regarded the
open one. She swayed to and fro.
white to the lips.
Il did not write them!" she fal.
tered.
But they are In your handwriting