The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-30

again and again. II It doesn't"-David
paused-"then III say goodby to you
little sooner. That's all"
Paula motioned him to a seat at her
side. Her eyes had taken on strange,
calculating CLINT which reminded
Bourne forcibly Of her father. When
she spoke her tone was calm and I'M
personal, like his.
III you succeed" she asked, do you
intend to ask me to marry your Da-
vid nodded dumbly. "Then," she went
on, II am naturally interested You
have heard my oft given name, The
girl who has everything she wants.'
to keep that name"
David was conscious Of keen thrill
Of disappointment II am merely hon.
est" the girl nodded, with smile to
remove the sting from her words.
49," she continued hastily, II ask Z
favor. VIII you let me give you a tip
before you make this plunge? mean"
she replied to his look Of amusement
Ito get information from my father
which I shall Immediately pass ON to
you" An inscrutable smile played
about the girls lips. "Old man Rich.
ards cannot fall" she quoted.
David stared, wondering that the
knowledge that she wished him to win
should be so unpleasantly overwhelmed
by the fact Of her shrewd plan. "A
balcony runs across one Ell Of the
exchange" she went on. "FaSher and l
shall be there. You must stand be-
meath. and at the psychological mo-
ment"- A flush Of excitement dyed
her cheeks; her eyes shone. II shall
drop red rose," she said. And l."
David answered slowly. shall stake
my all at the falling of that rose"
Paula held her hands out to him. If
you are honest in your wish for the
moon," she smiled, you must trust
me-"
Trust you will. Now tell me what
ID your tip. Am to sell short or
long? What is the security to be put
up or down? Is it to be manipulated
by pool or an individualT'
II don't know what you mean by all
this" replied Paula, though have
heard father talk about pools and
squeezing the shorts and all such un-
Ineligible things. l only know that
I asked him as a favor to me to tell
me where there was a chance to make
some money and how to proceed. He
has told me to sell M. o. P. What
that is don't know"
II do. Goodby." And he turned
to 60.
Impulsively she followed him to the
door. And. remember. II by chance
my signal should fair'-she paused
breathlessly-"well. I'm like my II.
ther." said Paula. I'm game I'll
marry you to atone"
Marry him. With q contradictory
sense Of Joy and pain David went
homeward through the night. When
at her hasty summons he stood again
In the pit" the hurrying messengers.
the darling, uncanny figures on tho
walls. seemed all part Of q dream.
Paula alone was real, Paula In tho
balcony with a crimson rose at her
breast. With fixed intensity he watch
ed her face. forgetting to return her
smile. A moments cessation In the
babel seemed like the sudden silence
preceding a storm; then swiftly. noise
lessly. q red rose fell at his feet. An
instant 1t lay crushed and fragrant.
David was calling wildly for messen-
ger. Blindly his pencil dew across the
paper. and here in the tiny folded
scrap were the tireless savings Of
years.
When he looked up again she was
gone Like one dazed. he rushed
through the streets. "Old man Rich
arde cannot fall" he repeated, and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS When ''tomor-
row" came he sat before his humble
desk in the great mans once. Be-
meath David's eyes were Tie dark cir
cles Of a sleepless night. About his
mouth were lines which had not
been there yesterday. Mechanically
he reached for the telephone; then the
blood surged to his face. EYES," he
answered, with dimculty, II recognize
your voice, Miss Richards, but I fear
that the engagement for this evening
must be Cancelled. You are aware, Of
course. that the signal failed. the sig
nal Of the rose." And Paula replied
evenly. Il would like to see you, Da.
vid, and shall expect you tonight at g."
There was bright happiness about
the girls greeting which, In face Of his
great disappointment. caused David's
heart to contract painfully.
The signal failed" he said duly.
do you suppose that your father sus-
pected your purpose and sought to
Illustrate it,"
Paula's eyes met his steadily. II de-
liberately acted against my fathers
advice" she told him. II gave you the
only signal which could be the right
signal, II you wanted me-"
With unexpected passion she threw
out her hands. do you think" she
cried, that I wanted you to be drunk
with the wine Of triumph. to win and
go on winning money until you BE-
came the hard thing that he has b.
GOMEZ Do you think that want to
live through the life that my mother
found too hard to bear? Do you think
that I could be satisfied forever with
mere things purchased for me BY a
love which had turned to a love Of
gainT" Her voice broke tremulocsly.
Il