The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-29
HIS UnSELFISH LOVE
BY VICTOR REpcLIFFE,

q Copyright. 1915. by w. g. Chapman.)
: WELL" faltered Cynthia, "as yo
+ have seen the Photograph"
Yes. of Richard Graydon-go OF
1 dear. pleaded Leila eagerly.
! We've are engaged"
: Leila sprang up with q wild shire
, OF JOY. She clasped her arms abou
7 Cynthia. her eyes dancing with SIT
cere appreciation of the announc,
ment.
oh. my dear, l am so delighted!
she said. Il was afraid you were GO
ing to fade away into a settled oil,
!; widow"
I have been one for two years, 70,
KNOW" intimated Cynthia, and Their,
was species Of anxious entreaty |,
her voice, "and, Leila-I was staryin,
for love! love! love!"
Her very Utmost soul burst tn,
leaden trammels Of years at this wild
! outburst. Cynthia fell to weeping III
the arms of her plying and loya
friend.
No woman was ever a truer wife, .
SAID Leila earnestly, your new hap
piness is your reward"
| IL seemed true. Four years pre.
vious. through the arts of a maneuyer.
ing mother Cynthia had given I'D her
girihood's fondest dreams and had
married Professor Russell, a wealthy
OLD scientist. There was no love in
the union. The professor was alb
sorbed in his work and was awav
travelling most Of the time, but he was
very proud of his beautiful wife. Cyn.
una was a faithful helpmeet and duty
made up for the lack Of affection.
Two years passed by when Cynthia
round herself a wealthy widow. Pro-
Iessor Russell had been making some
scientific explorations in Nicaragua
when a rebellion broke out. He and
MS valet, one Dorkins. were reported
killed in an ambush.
Cynthia felt that the freshness and
Joy OF life were past until she met
Richard Graydon. It had been a case
OF love at first sight. It seemed al n
the subdued affection of her depressed
nature budded all at once. There was
20 De quiet wedding and Cynthia and
Richard felt that the fullness of life
mad come to them at last.
Never were two persons more f,tlv
mated. Cynthia was in the prime Of
young womanhoOd, Richard was n
model of perfect manhood. Blissful
happiness and peace seemed insured
Tor those two ingenious beings when !
the unexpected came with the sudden.
ness of thunder crash.
A hasty agitated call came over the
telephone to Richard one day.
1T is Miss Lane" was spoken in
autterfng accents. please come to
ny home at once"
Richard found the friend of his
lancee In a distracted state. She was
BALE and trembling. She simply
landed him telegram. It was from
rehalca. Nicaragua. It was signed
'ames Russell and It ran:
Escaped after dreadful peril. Wire
ne five hundred dollars to return" Il
Then-then he is alive" hoarsely
ttered Richard, white to the lips,
Yes" replied Leila, and she pitied
ne strong man battling to show com.
osure. "oh. Mr.. Graydon! / have
ast come from Cynthia. She IL
rushed. she says she must see you"
do not dare!" spoke Richard. his
ands clenched to emphasize his
Erong resolution. Tell her. the true
aitnful wife, the good woman that
ne IS, that 1t is duty now-clear and 4
lmcient. Tell her have gone away
mot to forget. but to cherish" II
Then Richard Graydon became a
anderer He wondered II It was a
lex Of fate that his journeyings a
sar later brought him to the city OF u
enaica. He stood near its prison
BIOS gloomily regarding a file of
tackled convicts pass by. One only
the number was not native.
Who is that man?" Richard casual. '
asked the guard. 4
"Ah. that?" volunteered the volatile
dcial. 1T is Dorkins-he Of the Rus. !
II case. Both he and his master Z
ere supposed killed in the reyolu.
N, but this one escaped after rob +
ng his dead employer. Later he
ut false telegram to the wife of Z
ofessor Russell to secure money and 4
Is unmarked" T
Then Cynthia is free!" breathed I
chard. and that night a telegram :
" North bearing the siraple words: 4
nall l come to you?" Z
one day. two days-no reply. Had
nthia forgotten him? All. she
sht write! A week passed by. I
,hard gave up hope. ~
me afternoon a servant appeared ~
his room, where he sat lost in a
,dued reverie. -
A caller. below. Dir" the mental ad. -
ed him.
rs he entered tho parlor Of the m. n
hotel lady, vefled, arose to greet H
J. He advanced with inquiry in his III
8. IlA
he veil was thrust aside With AZ.
oed arms and beaming eyes Cyn.
Russell confruhted him.
You! You!" he gasped. and
sped at the arm Of a chair 20
10y himself. 1t was like some feet