The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-04

cha. lis as old as she looks"
Il have always been too busy doing
useful and necessary work" acknowl
edged Marcia pointedly, TO bother
much about my looks"
But it isn't necessary for you to d.
SO, Cousin Marcia; you might take life
as easy as do. if you would. People
think it a pity that you have never
married"
Il do not know why they should, es
Dscially." Marcia's eyes flashed sud
denly. You have never married
yourself, Lucy"
But that is because have never
cared to do so, dear. | have always
had an abundance of suitors. 1t has
been different with you, you know
There did use to be talk that you anG
Henry Howard would make match OF
it. but never believed it. You are no,
Henry's style"
Il never thought Of such a thing as
marrying Henry Howard-or anyone
else" denied Marcia crisply.
How fortunate that is +" Lucy spoke
with a malicious assumption of sym
pathy. Il may as we'll tell you" she
, confessed, that l have about decided
to accept Henry"
TO accept Henry" Marcia set heI
newly iced cake perilously near the
edge of the table. 81 did not know he
ever thought of you"
No, have never given him any en-
enlargement, but | have long known
what could do if would 1t has not
been easy to decide among so many
Marcia's sniff of disbelief passed un
noticed but the sight of Henry's lone
Illness makes him seem worthy of the
sacrifice of my freedom. am going to
send him valentine as the most
graceful and romantic way of letting
him understand my attitude"
A valentine! Marcia finished her
work as If in a dream.
Then, Unexpectedly, she laughed out
with unwonted gayety. III one valeH.
tine is good, two ought to be better. l
think I'll send Henry a valentine my
self"
Amusement filled the prosaic soul of
Henry Howard when he found the con.
tents Of the big envelope to be a val
entine. As he considered it, his &C.
date. middle-aged heart began to warm
unaccountably.
Nov, that's real thoughtful OF Lucy,
I'm sure. haven't had valentine in
80 many years I'd forgotten how 1t
seemed II is fine thing to keep ones
youth as Lucy has"
1t was late in the afternoon before
he remembered to look at the other
letter he had received in the same
mail. After he had read it, he sat for
long time looking meditatively at the
windows Of the next house.
Il believe III 60 over-she's never
asked me before to dine with her, and
Marcia Is master cook. IL believe
I'll tell her what | mean to do, too
she's got pretty sensible head, Mar
cha has"
II a woman is no older than she
looks, Marcia had certainly lost a good
ten years Of her age when she greeted
Henry Howard in her immaculate front
hall.
And this" he said. is what have
been cheating myself out of for the
last fifteen years. | find 1t rather lone
ly in my big house, Marcia"
Yes" answered Marcia demurely.
pouring the coffee.
I've been thinking lately that
have been foolish to live alone SO long
Do you suppose anyone could be in
duced to have an old fellow like me?"
"Oh, yes" Marcia smiled across the
centerpiece.
"Will you, Marcia?" He could hard
ly credit the fact that his ears heard
Henry Howard asking any woman to
marry him.
The next instant he had gone round
the table and gathered her cold fingers
into his warm, strong hands. Why, |
love you, Marcia. I've wanted you all
the time and did not know it; would |
you believe man could be so foolish |
and blind?"
Yes" whispered Marcia, Il have
been, too, until today
Upon this interesting tableau the |
door opened Unexpectedly, and Lucy
Stoddard stood transfixed
Come in, Lucy" called the man
heartily. you shall be the first to con-
graduate me. 1t was your valentine
that set me thinking how lonely real
ly was. But liked Marcia's valentine
best; painted hearts and printed
verses may be satisfactory to roman
lie young fellows, but nothing appeals
70 us older fellows like a good din
lerl"
II any look of chagrin clouded the
'prightly face in the doorway it was
concealed by an overwhelm-
ng smile. Il knew all you needed was
little Jogging" she said, TO make
Tou the two happiest people In the
world"