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

But you have got to marry them to
cure them, and if they refuse to be
married?"
That's the point" said the old lady
reflectively. How are you going to
make them?"
And you think there's no chance
for me?'
81 think" said the old lady, that
May Durfree cares for you as much as
she is capable of caring for anybody.
But she doesn't love you. She couldn't
love-now. What in the world did you
do to her, Jack, before you went
away? Broke her hearth"
If had thought that" he answered.
II would have married her, money or
no money"
Its the safest way" said the old
lady.
In spite Of the old lady's warning
Jack tried his luck again. He declared
his love- Little Miss Durfree stopped
him promptly.
"Now, Mr.. McCallum, if we are to
remain friends" she said. you must
realize that this cannot be. Won't you
try? You know, am fond of you, as
, a friend"
Jack told her it was impossible. He
stayed away a whole week. At the end
of that period, meeting her in the
street, he fancied that she looked a
| little worried.
Il was expecting you to call last
] night" she said, and the pout made
little Miss Durfree look uncommonly
pretty Jack McCallum was more
madly in love with her than ever.
Il meant to come he answered
penitently, but l had an engagement.
had promised to call on the Du.
points"
20, those girls!' SAID little Miss
Durfree acidly. Il hope you enjoyed
your visit, Mr.. McCallum.'
With every nerve urging him tc
shout that he hadn't, that he hated
them, Jack managed, by superhumar
effort, to maintain silence. He ha6
scored his point, he had piqued little
Miss Durfree.
You're clever" said the old lady
patting him on the shoulder. "Bu
you won't win out that way, my deal
boy. There's only one chance for you
and even then it's hundred to one
against. And if you lose you'll be thu
ridicule of the town
I'll take it, said Jack decisively.
Il don't know" said the old lady
Il shall have to ask the minister wha
he thinks of it. If he agrees that 1t II
a possible plan I'll tell you.
Before the old lady told him Jacl
had resumed his visits to Miss Dun
free. His infatuation was evident. H
had lost all that he had scored tina
day in the street. Miss Durfree live
in terror of the proposal that cam
again at last.
May, if you'll be my wife you sha
live on in this house and I'll only com
on Sundays" said Jack. You sha
sweep and cook and dust and Sc,
and"
20 dear!" sighed May Durfre'
Won't you ever be sensible and III
, derstand, Mr.. McCallum
He took his hat and stamped out {
the house But ON the next day tn
old lady told him that the minister ha
indorsed her scheme.
I'VE must get her out of her hous
for the day. she said. How can it
arranged
Tell her about the new cookin
demonstration downtown" said JAG
bitterly
THE very thing" said the old lad,
III get her to go with me and brin
her here for lunch and keep her Il
four in the afternoon, If have to loo
her in this room"
And she did it. II little MISS Du
4 free became vaguely uneasy about HI
home as the old lady chatted ava
she concealed it as long as possibl
The old lady was so insistent. ST
showed her one thing after anothe
until at length four o'clock came, an
the suspense was over.
c And now. my dear, I've kept you ,
q long that | shall just walk over wit
you in atonement," said the old lady
{. 1t seemed queer sort of atom
y ment to little Miss Durfree, but she a
cepted the old ladys company. But
q the door the old lady showed no sigl
Q OF going away, and Miss Durfree hi
g to ask her in The old lady walked
I with her-into a transformed liviI
room.
For, where the piano had been, W;
u an improvised altar, at which the mi
e lister stood, and in front Of him WI
Jack, and on little Miss Durfree's 9th
Ie side was Jacks chum, Kenneth Ora
u who had known all about the affa
Il but of whom no mention has had
"a be made before.
10 wilt thou have this woman for 4
N welded wife," the minister demaade
Il will" said Jack.
o. wilt thou have this man to be q
n welded husband the minister
manded.
Little Miss Durfree stared at him
l il she were nypnotized Perhaps I
re scene, long dormant in her brain as
e. vision unreaIzed, suddenly stirred h
10 memories Perhaps IT was Jack at b
IS side. recalling her love Of old. Ho
~ ever that may be. the whispered
. frmative melted Miss Durfrees hea
ne Five minutes later she and her b
band sat alone together.
IS Its all like a dream" she VII