The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-10
w|nMIMe PENALTY
BY JEAN GREY.

Elsie turned upon him, her dropped
hands clenching hard. IF you starved
for an ideal, disdaining to work I'M
worthily, l could love you, starve
with you joyously," she said, but
when you let weak pride and pure
vanity stand in the way"
II don't understand" Davis inter-
rupted, looking uncomfortable.
You do understand" Elsie retorted.
You think it beneath your dignity to
listen to reason. Graham wanted you
to rewrite an act. You put the play in
a drawer and have not looked at it
since. Because. forsooth, he's an ass
of the stage. l know it-everybody
does. But he has the instinct that
tells him what will get over. You
: lack it. Your way may be ever SO
much finer"
Thanks for them kind words" Da.
Wis tried to say with merry scorn, but
hurt and angry in spite Of himself.
Elsie went on pitilessly: 1T was
SO with your book-first half is ador-
able-fresh and witty and clean. Ev.
erybody says so-but you will lug in
dirt all through the last half. Need.
less dirt! Yes, you shall hear the
truth. If your soul wore dirty gar.
ment could understand your sticking
by it. 1t doesn't. You are clean -
your uncleanness is just affectation-
no matter how you prate about
| strength"
This grows monotonous." Davis
broke in, like the Mona Lisa smile
I'd rather be sworn at than have you
! SO perfectly reasonable Maybe
ought to let impotence do her per
! feet work Still it occurs to me you
/ are perhaps more acutely aware OF
my shortcomings from viewing them
through the lens of another mans
| projections"
only partly right" Elsie answered
I've felt this coming all along-but
until you brought in Maginn
wouldn't let myself say it-even to
/ myself. +"
$50 l fetched a stick to break my
/ own head. Well, it shall be bless
you, my children" Davis interrupted
superbly. 'Maginn. the little busy
bee, improves the shining hour. Nat
urally he hovers over all sweets"
"Maginn has just this to do with
It," she cried, her nails dug into her
palms. He's below you-worlds be-
meath youth every way except one
he does what he can and does it with
a sincerity of belief in himself that
quite redeems his conceit II you
tried only half so hard"
You forget. l am not a bankers
son." Davis cried. now thoroughly
angry. Don't waste more breath
my dear. understand. You are
tired of waiting, of hoping, Of believ
ing. Maginn, with his expectations
his sweetly solemn mind, tempts you
sadly. Take him and welcome
offer you my felicitation. and wish
you q very good evening"
las you will, but take this" Elsie
answered, slipping OF his ring, 9
mere thread of gold with q winkine
fire opal on top. Her hand trembled
Was 1t for this she had but half ar
hour earlier sent Maginn away with 9
NO SO kind it was irrevocable? She
! knew 1t was wicked, but she had beer
kind as a penance for hating pool
Maginn because of his humble per
fections. They we're bearing him &c
much farther and higher than Lynn
Davis better parts were ever likely
to carry him.
Aren't you truly q sybarite IL
love with luxury?" Davis asked
drawing pace nearer.
She shook her head, her breath
coming quick. Il don't mind lack
ing things-hardly a little bit" sh,
said. THE hard part is doing with
out because you must. II I wer,
only rich enough should let mysel
be really dowdy now and then"
rs that why you are suddenly g,
severe with me?" Davis asked, hi
eyes beginning to twinkle. She fun
up her head. saying bravely with
crimson flush, mol"
Then why. Maginn and his ne,
fections aside?" Davis demanded.
She turned on him, her eyes flash
ing. Let Maginn alone!" she said
Mention Of him is-insulting. M,
concern is-you. You only! Do 70,
think 1t does not hurt me to hay
you slothful, Indifferent, to see mel
unft to black your shoes going ahea,
of you in the race Of life? You ar
not great. but I do believe you hav
in you the makings of greatness.
thought love and trust would he'll
you to show it. Now l see nv mis-
take. You say you love me?"
1t may be delusion-but love t
hug It," Davis answered.
Then If you do-if you car
enough to think Of me as a wife. liz
ten! Put it to yourself thus: Here 1
prize worth winning. I'm going +
win 1t, though the job is a mans size
1t means hard work and putin
dragons to rout-dragons of shynes
and conceit-"
All, me! How highly some peopl
esteem themselves" Davis broke IL
Say, guardian angel. what will hag
pen. II / refuse?"
Worse things-much worse" Elsi
said promptly, coming very close an
looking up in his face For I shal
marry you and make you worl
whether or no"
In that CASE he cried. kissin