The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-11

I'VE can never tell what we owe
you," she said fervently, almost bro
kenly.
1T has been my great fortune to be
of service to you." replied Doctor
Merwin modestly.
For a moment her hands rested in
his close earnest grasp. Almost quick
ly she withdrew them.
1T was fortunate the prosecution
did not ask you the question. DR.. Mer-
win," the young lady heard the law
yer say mysteriously.
More than once that night Evelyn
thought of the young physician. Some
how she could not forget single in
cident Of their meeting. The day fol-
lowing the impression was deeper
than ever. The next day she passed
Doctor Merwin on the other side of
the street He bowed politely.
Then she began to learn new things
! about the object Of her interest. Eve
Ign discovered that the young man
was having an uphill time of it in
making professional Roadway. He had
cast in his lot with poor but deserv-
ing clientele, and she believed his
service fees to be few and far be-
tween. One day Evelyn went to her
father.
II am afraid you have been SO
busy you have forgotten to write DR..
Merwin an acknowledgment Of our
thanks, papa" she said demurely.
bot t.
Mr.. Dayton. Il will attend to it at
once"
The manufacturer penned a kind
and gracious note to the young man.
1t received formal recognition, but
Dr. Merwin did not presume to ap-
pear in person.
He seems to actually avoid u.s."
said Evelyn to herself quite disap-
pointedly. Then her face frightened
as the suggestion came to her mind
to invite DR.. Merwin to pending
lawn party on the Dayton grounds.
There never was a more agreeable
and companionable fellow" Evelyn's
brothers voted in favor Of the young
doctor before the evening was over.
so interesting-looking and hand
some" declared Evelyn's best girl
friend.
Evelyn herself, however, could not
rid herself of the notion that DR.. Mer-
win somehow held her at a distance.
He was reserved with her to a degree
she could mot understand. There
seemed to be barrier between them.
1T is not OF my making" mourned
pretty Evelyn, as the evening closed
and the doctor agreed to come again.
In later years Evelyn never forgot
the third evening he called. He seem
ed more care free on that occasion
/ than he ever had been before. Then
moonlight. a charming garden spot,
the air like new wine, and in the hazy
| silence Evelyn said:
'Dr. Merwin, l have always wished
to ask YOU very particular question
for some time
"Yes?" he intimated gently, with
his usual rather sad smile.
you remember that day in the
court room when we first metz"
Il have not forgotten It," he replied
and Evelyn noted the same vivid ex-
preston in his face, akin to longing,
to deep emotion, that had struck her
on the occasion referred to.
"Mr Telford said to you: 1T was
fortunate the prosecution did not ask
you the question
YES" spoke Dr. Merwin in q low
tone.
what did he mean?"
! Must tell you the question:" ask
ed her companion, strange restraint
in his bearing
Il very much wish you would"
"Mr. Telford was intimating that
had the other side questioned me too
closely, it might have been embarrass-
ing for me, and-yes, perhaps for
you"
81 do not understand" murmured
Evelyn, yet feeling intuitively that
, some vital revelation was about to be
disclosed.
"If they had asked how l came to
be in the adjoining garden" pursued
DR.. Merwin, 81 should have been COM
PEELED to tell them that"
"Yes-that?" prompted Evelyn half
playfully.
THAT the evening was in the next
garden was one of many evenings I
spent there had known you for a
long time before that, Miss Dayton"
"You had-known me-for long
timer" she repeated vaguely.
But you did not know me. How
could you? l, an humble, striving
stranger. who saw you once, longed
to see you again-even if it was a
stolen view-and then found the
pleasure of life in listening to your
beautiful singing had promised my
self that would be the last evening I
dared to worship the star at dis
lance, and now ] will 60"
DIR Merwin," said Evelyn softly
don't go away"
Copyright. 1912. by W. G. Chapman1
Chief Event.
A schoolmaster is telling a rather
funny story against himself. He be-
gins the story with the significant re-