The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-23

tears. The lights before the opera
house were all blur. She was glad
to creep into the shelter of a taxicab,
and hide those traitor tears even
from his sight. Why hould he scold
her so? 1t seemed as if everybody
scolded her nowadays.
Give you a happy time" he re-
peated, through his set teeth. Marry
you off to the man with the best man
of his present holdings. Dick said
he heard his mother say she hoped
Grace would succeed in launching
you. Why, sweetheart. your father,
the blessed old colonel. would kick
the top off his casket this minute If
he knew about this"
They mean we'll. Carter" Leslie
said slowly. We're awfully poor.
You know that"
But, Lord Harry, so are we, dear.
What does that matter? Haven't
We got the dear old ruins that stand
for home. and all the splendid acres
that We love every foot of. Can't
we raise enough to eat at our own
tables, and feed the guest who hon
ors us by staying under the rooftree?
rather guess we can. Wouldn't
you rather marry ME, and come to
be mistress at White Chimneys, and
see me go to the legislature as my
father and grandfather did, and come
| back with the same sort of a name
took there? Wouldn't you, Leslie?"
The taxi had slipped across town
10 Madison avenue and up toward
the park. 1t looked dewy and mys.
FERROUS and alluring. Leslie could
have blessed the chauffeur when he
i turned into its shadowy roads after
long silence Someway, several
1 things had happened during that
silence. Carter had taken her in his
arms, white velvet cloak and all,
and had tried to kiss her. But she
was a shy sweetheart, and very eva
sive when it came to facing the real
issue. She hid her head resolutcly
on his shoulder, and merely said
very forcefully: "Carter!" Carter
ceased striving and was silent
thankful that she even permitted
his arm about her.
Then the taxi suddenly appeared
to stand on its hind legs. At least
that was Carriers description of II
later. 1t rammed into something
reared and toppled over on the grass
sward
Don't you dare give my name,
Leslie whispered as she found her
self safe and being lifted out in Car
ter's arms. The other car was badly
damaged So was the other chauf
feur. 1t was an empty car, speeding
south. Carter was very busy ex
planning things to the mounted pc
liceman while his chauffeur rightet
the taxi.
Whatever did you tell him." asket
Leslie. as he rejoined her, and the.
walked slowly over to the east en-
trance.
Il told him anything to keep from
being taken down to the night cour
with you, DEAR" he told her 81 ha,
W PiOlcCI you, YOU hHOW. IL bdlu III.
wife and l were here from Virginia
and leaving in the morning. hope
We would not be detained as wit
nesses. He said he would hold tn
chauffeur"
Your wife?" repeated Leslie slow
| y. How queer that sounds. Carter
What If 1t were true? What II 1t wer
all over and settled? wonder wha
Grace and mother would say"
What could they say. except tina
you had dared to choose your ow
husband. There's cab. Shall l ha
it,"
: 81 would rather walk. The park
the only natural thing I've seen g
far. love 1t tonight. Go on tall
ing"
VIII you marry me tonight, LIE
lie?" His arm was around her agail
They were in the heavy shadows {
the trees. Leslie lifted her face unit
her lips brushed his chin.
Not tonight, dear Tomorrow
And then we'll go back home, whel
we belong. We're not even make b
leve New Workers., Carter. Wei
pathfinders on a new road to hapI