The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-22

~oould d. indsedr' murmured Miss
Drake, ironically. I'm right glad II
can be. Miss Clare. I'm afraid NIL.
dred has been spoiled q good deal
since her poor dear mother died"
Miss Clsre's eyes showed tender,
courteous concern for the departed
one. She was all attention, all con-
sideration for the old lady who eyed
her with such frank disfavOr.
when 1 saw Mildred's father Tues
:: day"
He is here now" interrupted
Esme. happily. eagerly. He has but
just arrived. 1t was for that | was
absent. I had gone to the depot 10
meet him with the car"
HE IL here?" Miss Drake rose,
| troubled and ruined. tom, ] must
have Z few moments conversation
alone with Miss Clare. You 60 and
keep Lester busy till l call you.
Tow shrugged doubtful shoulders.
but obeyed. with look Of what he
would have called "bolstered up
courage" ut the demure, low voiced
girl waiting for the storm to break
ON her pretty head. 1t broke as soon
~ tho door closed after the tall. I'M
calmly Tom. Miss Drake s voice
fairly trembled with passion az she
made her final appeal.
II have no doubt 1t 10 only infatua-
tion." she said. men are like that
when they have q pretty girl around
them. But had no idea Lester would
think seriously Of marriage"
why should he not. MADAME"
asked Esme gently.
well, to speak plainly. 1t don't
seem fitting for him to marry. well.
you, don't you understand. child?"
In spite Of herself her tone did soften.
Esme looked very young. very much
alone a. she stood there listening.
Miss Drake remembered Tom had
said she was an orphan.
II understand" breathed Esme
softly. her eyes ashine with emo
ton. "He is wonderful, is he not?
Why should he even desire to marry
just merely-me"
"The Lord only knows" answered
Miss Drake devoutly. 1.-THE main
point is he does want to, and he
mustn't be let. That Is the real
treason why ! came from Washington.
II he won't see sense, then l thought
perhaps you would Now there's
Tom, nice, good-looking boy He'd
make q good husband for you, and
II don't mind saying I'd be willing to
settle little on you both If you mar
ried each other"
III married."
"Tom, say. If you'd promise tc
marry him, I'll settle a couple Of
thousand a year on you both"
And suddenly Esmes mirth broke
and she leaned back her charming
head and laughed. But she checked
herself as the door opened and Les.
ter himself entered, Tom behind him
well. Aunt Philippa. did you run
down to congratulate us?" he ex
claimed heartily, catching the thin
old figure in his arms and kissing the
faded bony cheek.
Congratulate who?" asked Miss
Drake grimly.
Lester turned quickly and drew
Esme into the family circle.
my BRIDE" he said proudly. 1--WE
were married the day after l saw you
in Washington.
There was a short, sharp internal
struggle IN Miss brakes mind. She
looked At Tom. knowing him to BE-
guilty Of foreknowledge Of the fact
She looked at Testers happy, tender
face. and last Of all at Esme herself
Esme whose eyes met hers with {
sort Of passionate entreaty for for
giveness.
"Ah, madam, what could dor
she .tmplored. "He wanted mo 81
very much for his wife,
And the ice melted in Aunt Philly'i
heart. She sighed and smiled.
well. child. can you blame him p
she asked. 1--WE done my level bes
to save him. but as long as he's beer
and gone and married you, any
how, well-you may call mo Aun
Philly." -