The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-22
TUE one Re LOVED
oy MARY Il. WHEREBY

. taA, handsome young man came
down the pretty park path and sat
down on the rustic bench beside her,
engaging in casual. friendly converse
ton.
The poor fellow" was Ernest Har.
per. He looked grave and troubled, but
1t seemed as though the presence of
the CHEEKY little woman beside him
made him momentarily forget his anxi
cites
How sorry feel for him!" breathed
Rose as they parted How unworthy is
she Of the love of a man like him."
If Rose only knew" soliloquized
Ernest as he went on his way. "Ah.
me! life is sad enigma"
Here were the facts in the case:
Ernest Harper was engaged to the sis
ter of his dearest friend, Lora Moody
And Rose Darrell knew that Lora did
not love him, was fiippant flirt and
would bring him pain and disappoint.
ment In the years to come.
How she had found this out was her
own treasured secret
Ernest was surprised to be aroused
from his morning slumber by the an
nouncement of a servant that Mr..
Moody, Lora's father. was in the parlor
below and would he please dress and
come down at once?"
When Ernest Joined his early visitor
he found Mr.. Moody pacing the room
up and down in state of great agita-
ton.
Ernest" he spoke in an unsteady
tone, I've got some bad news for
YOU
Ned" began Ernest
mo. Lora."
"She is ILL.,"
"Worse!" groaned the unhappy faith.
er. Ernest, boy, be brave! We deplore
1t all, and you have been the man all
through, but drive her from your
thoughts. She is unworthy Of YOU
You mean-?"
"She eloped last night with Lieuten-
ant TrescOmbe."
1t was severe shock to the astound
ed fiance, but less from personal grief
than pity for the chum and his fam
lily. upon whom this hard blow had
been brought In q measure he was re-
lieved.
III Lora loved him" he said. quietly.
she will be happy with him."
But you-you? We feel 80 for
you!"
Don't think of me. MIR. Moody" re.
turned Ernest. Il only wish them Joy
and contentment."
"You are q noble fellow!" declared
Mr.. Moody.
"Free!" Ernest Harper whispered to
himself as later that morning he once
again strolled in the little park. think
ing over the acute change in affairs
that had come about. Was he think
ing. too. Of Rose? II so, that account
ed for new brightness in his face az
he made her out at little distance.
| She greeted him with q warm hand
clasp, her face showing deep womanly
sympathy.
Il am so sorry" she said in a sub
dued tone.
He sat down beside her with a deer
sigh. 1t seemed as though strange
restfulness came over him. He knew
what was in her mind-friendly pity
genuine interest. She was rather
surprised at the calm, grave manner
in which he took his trouble. Rose
drifted the conversation into genera
channels. She manifested an interest
in his work. She spoke of book he
had written and he was gratified tt
discern that she was familiar with al
its details and especially appreciated
the parts Of It which he himself priced
At the end of q week the Moody fam
lily heard from the truant daughter
She was married and was visiting with
the family Of her husband He was al
empty-headed fellow. but had wealth
and lively social connections, and
while glad Of his escape from marry
ing a woman he did not love. Ernes
really believed that Lora would b.
happy in her new environment.
Ernest decided to leave the village
, He went to bid farewell to the girl h.
cherished as true friend. They were
seated in tie garden when a little
brother Of Rose came running up t.
her.
II found the locket. sister," he cried
excitedly. On the croquet lawn" ant
he handed to Rose an article at which
Ernest stared strangely.
/ H. hol LOT In,
ing. where did that come FROM"
Rose turned scarlet, she evaded his
glance. She was terribly flustered.
THAT is. Lora-"
Cast 1t aside-yes. ! know that.
said Ernest, but"
Rose suddenly recovered her com
posure.
Shall I tell you the TRUTH she
asked frankly. We'll. then. felt very
sorry for your sake"
And sister has worn 1t ever since
till she lost it, broke in the little
brother. land she cried when she
did"
| SSH" faltered Rose. but the truth
was out, and Ernest Harper read her
tell-tale face Alright.
Ernest covered the trembling hand
of the young girl at his side with his
own. He gazed earnestly into her
eyes.
Rose" he said, could 1t be possible
that you also kept that rejected me
mento for my sake?"
Her dear. sweet face bent lower out
of sight She could not reply. But her
hand did not leave the gentle caress oil
J his own and Ernest Harper knew mat
he rad found Perfect bI.ls al .sst