The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-04
A sALARIED MAN
BY SARAH WHITING.

cTleO lmpulSlvely. I'D rather halt
starve with Elsie than feast without
her"
How about whole starvinR?"
Louise, his cousin. asked provoking.
ly. Sure it may not come to that?"
Which means. being interpreted.
you hate Elsie Denton" Jack retorted,
his mouth settling doggedly.
Louise looked at him reproachfully.
Il deserve that for the folly of think
ing you would not misunderstand me-"
she said. Il have nothing against
your sweetheart except that I have
nothing for her. Like all the Denton
girls. she has been brought up with an
eye single to Misunderstanding rather
than notwithstanding"
Good afternoon! won't stay to
hear her slanderously dissected!"
Jack burst out. mot even by the
woman to whom I owe my education.
Don't be uneasy-I'l pay you every
dollar. Elsie will help me. She is
already planning how we shall save
and thrive"
"You owe me no money, but think
courtesy is due the blood-our blood"
she interrupted. You have been like
my brother-my dear younger brother
for whom l had such hopes" she
went on, steadily. BE halfway SEN
sible, Jack-for the hoods sake. Wait
until you have your profession. at
least"
Il shall get it, never fear" Jack
said holly, but not at your expense.
I'm deep enough in your debt al
ready"
Let that pass, please" Louise said.
her eyes growing steely. Tell me
exactly what your plans are"
I'm going into Blaney's office to
study" he replied defiantly.
With this, Jack rushed away to
Elsie. Sore and bruised from the con-
flict with his cousin, he sought COM
fort and reinsurance. 1t hurt him to
ind her on the verge of tears, sur
veying his ring with petulant frown.
1t had been his mothers engagement
ring and was set with small dia-
mond of fine luster. He priced 1t so
dearly he had thought she must do
likewise.
May Cutter ran in to show me her
ring Elsie said petulantly. Such a
beauty-a blue-white solitaire. She
says it cost a thousand-and Job
Means is going to give her string of
pearls when they marry. 1t made me
so ashamed | hid my ring-hand first
but she saw it. So had to tell her
l was wearing this just until you had
time to run up to the city and get me
real ring set in special design"
What an unprincipled little fib-
ber!" Jack said Ecr.ly gitth yet an
uhaccountable sinking Of the heart.
Don't you think, Jack, it would be
better II you got me the real ring? l
know your cousin has a charge &C.
count at Letfield's."
But Id starve before added any
thing to 1t, Jack burst out
At this she tossed her head, saying
with a pout. why. she's bound to
give us handsome present-for her
own credits sake! Just do as / say,
and tell her that settles it. simply
won't let May Cutter put 1t all over
me as she does"
Let me tell you few things" Jack
said, paling to the lips. As briefly and
as badly as possible he told her of his
cousins attitude, Of his own hopes,
plans, even fears II know it's going
to be hard-an awful pull, grille" he
wound up; "but-we1l face 1t to-
gether. Isn't that better than being
apart?"
Elsie was sobbing. She had never
dreamed of a situation like this Her
plan had been to marry and 20
straight home TO the Manners house,
the handsomest In town. Jack was
the heir presumptive-he had grown
up there. Miss Louise was 80 fond
OF him she could never do without
him.
You say she'll do something for us ?
How much do you suppose? We could
manage fairly on $4,000 a year besides
what you make" she ventured doubt.
fully.
Jack laughed contemptuously. II
suppose she will furnish the kitchen
for US and give us half a dozen tea
spoons" he said. But $4,000 a year,
Why, | couldn't bring myself to take
II If she offered it. owe her too much
already"
You are wickedly foolish" Elsie
sobbed And unkind, too If you had
told me in time shouldn't be in this !
awful hole. OF course | can't marry
you as things are. | have no taste or
talent for starvation. Suppose we
wait year or two. Maybe | can
bring her around. If that turns out to |
be impossible; well, we shall see. / |
simply can't stay here forever. Mother |
has three other girls younger than | |
am. remember; and father will never
be anything but salaried man"
Suppose I'm never anything but
that?" Jack asked abruptly, something
logged creeping into his face.
Elsie flushed and returned sharply: |
III you are going to let yourself be
the sooner | get rid of this
trumpery the better"
With that she dropped the ring at
his feet. He picked it up and left her
without word
He thought his heart was broken.
Time healed it and his fortunes
nended. He did not marry for ten
1ears.
Elinor More, the girl of his mature