The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-18

| speak to my old pal! VI course W.
| And now that | have seen you we are
going to have good, old-1ashioneu
| chat, but we can't stand here IN thls
| wet and talk. | am living with my
| married sister now and just cahie
downtown for few things to hang Oh
the kiddies' tree. Come on up anu
help us fix the things"
Jake thanked her, but remonstrat
7 ed that his attire was scarcely SUIT
, able for an evening call. Marie IN
sisted that his clothes made no dl1er.
| ence to her and that her sister "oulu
surely think the same. Anyway, no
| matter what her sister might tnlnk'
| jake was her friend, and that set
/ tied it.
They walked to Fourth avenue and
took the subway to Harlem, jake III
| sisting on spending ten cents OF MS
| precious quarter for the carfare' al
though Marie had tried to shove a
dime into his hand.
On the way up jake told his story
laying the blame on hard luck and the
state officials who had put racing on
the bum.
| Marie listened with quiet attention,
nodding her head here and there and
interfering a question now and then
as the ex-bookie seemed about to drlft
away from his story.
Jake was introduced to Maude and
John, her husband. They were either
too busy decorating a tiny Christmas
tree on a stand in the corner OF the
room or else they didn't care, for mel
Their evinced disapproval of jake
He was made to feel at home in
the little family circle, and entered
with keen enjoyment the work of trim
ming the tree and arranging the pres
ents for the two children fast asleep
in the next room.
The final arrangement completed,
Maude and her husband took last
peek at the sleeping kiddies and called
jake to see them.
AS the little group stood in the door
way jake noticed that John put his
arm about Maude's waist and that the
light in Maude's eyes shone with pc
ouliar brilliance as she Struggled
closer 1t was picture of domestic
love and felicity and it touched jake
deeply.
John and Maude having retired for
the night, jake and Marie were left
alone in the parlor.
Seated before the fireplace, where
the gas log was throwing forth
CHEEKY heat, jake asked Marie about
herself.
She had left the chorus and all her
former gay companions and was now
employed in millinery establishment.
whats the matter with the show
game?" asked jake. TOO fast for
you?"
yes, jake Somehow or other
| couldn't let myself drift like the
others had. and when came up here
to live with Maude and John and the
kids, well. they didn't think it was
the best thing for the kids to have
their aunt in the chorus Not that
they objected to the chorus part of
it, but then there are so many other
things that go with it. The gay COM
pany. the loose way of living and
things of that Sort
$50 you cut it out for the sake of
the kids?"
Eyes, for the kids and for my own
sake. I was becoming tired OF the
life, and the home life here seemed to
touch something in me and make me
want to live right. There is nothing
in that fast life, jake; the right way
is the only way. You may prosper for
a time on the wrong road. but sooner
or later you come to grief"
Yes, she was right. Jake knew. The
wrong way had dragged him down
Drink and loose companions had
brought him to his present level
For a long time he sat and gazed
at the fire. When next he spoke
there was tenderness in his voice
such as had never been there before
"Say. Marie" he said. do you think
you could help me get on the righ
track, the honest road? | want to try
: l see how happy you are and what 6
change it has made in you am go
ing to try"
Tenderly she put her hand on hi:
arm. II am glad that you will try
. You know | always liked you. Jake
. Somehow you were different from tn,
rest of the old crowd, for you wer,
y always a gentleman in your manner
You would never stand for the rea
rough stuff"
That's the kindest thing hav,
! heard for two years. said Jaki
i slowly, as he patted the small han,
that still lay on his arm.
/ Suddenly he stiffened in his chat
as thought seized him
Marie, he asked tenderly," is Their
any fellow, right now. that you thin
lot of? You know the way | mean.
u mo, Jake. not now" she answere
II slowly, as she understood why h
II asked. Then she added, but Their
D might be if"
IF he were right-living sort G
u fellow" broke in jake.
e "Yes.'
II The clock on the mantelpiece struc
e twelve.
Gee. it's Christmas morning.
"a sighed jake.
;, yes, Christmas" breathed Mari
d softly.
Could you-do you think. will 70
y wait until-well, until can get on tn
AZ right track
~ She nodded her head in silenc
jake put his arm around her wal,
II and drew her head to his shoulder