The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-12
but the bitterness strengthened.

out the bitterness sIeu6tuenou.
Tho next morning he was in the
veranda reading the paper when there
came the trot, trot, Of horses hoOfs
on the bride path that wound up to
the foot of his steps.
He did not need to lift his eyes to
know that the early rider was Nancy
Durwent, for he knew the peculiar lit
tie clipping trot Of Pedro. her horse.
How altogether charming she
looked in her crisp. cool white habit.
Her golden hair was uncovered to the
sun and her dark blue eyes shone be-
hind q filmy veil of long, dark lashes.
Heavy white gauntlets covered her
slim hands.
Good morning. most inhospitable
Of men," she laughed at him.
Good morning, Miss Durwent." he
returned gravely. Il am honored by
your early morning call"
IT you-smiled it would sound
more sincere" she pouted.
Jack bowed, but he did not smile.
Thank you for the beautiful now.
ers," she went on gayly.
Il was relieved to be told there
were no serious consequences due to
my stupidity" he said.
Thank you, it was really nothing"
said Nancy. A wistful look came
into her face. The flowers were
from your own garden. l recognized
them
Jack shook his head. "Oh, no." he
said gently. He was looking past her
at the wilderness of roses. Il could
not bring you flowers from my gar
den-they are too precious"
Nancy whitened. TOO precious for
me?" she asked incredulously.
He nodded. The flowers l brought
to you came from the park florist. I
am glad you like them. He has .
superb collection"
But l would rather have had
yours-from your garden" she said
in . low tone.
Il am sorry," he returned. 81 can
not give my flowers to anyone now"
Why" she asked in a frightened
tone.
There is death in the house." he
said.
Death? Here? Oh. Jack, who is
itT' she cried.
Love died here yesterday" was
his answer.
She shrank visibly. "Lovs?" she
whispered.
YES" he said. Il built this house
for home. Love was to take up his
abode with me. l planted the gar
den for Love and l tended 1t. making
1t beautiful against the time when an.
other should come to share 1t with US.
And then l met her-Love and took
flowers to her-we believed that she
would come and share our cottage
here; but she scorned our garden and
our tiny house and she chose the
house OF Mammon! So last night
Love and fought It out. and Love
died."
"Jack-Jack!" Nancy uttered q
sObbing moan. You are breaking
my heart!"
"Impossible-Westherby has told
me-"
DON'T" she interrupted, and
touching Pedro with her riding crop,
she sped back along the bride path.
Jack watched her until she joined the
waiting groom and then the trees hid
her from his sight.
He leaned his head against q pillar
Of the house where Love lay dead and
closed his eyes. They were wet and
singing.
Jacks garden was bathed in moon.
light and the air was heavy with the
perfume OF roses. Jack sat on the
top step Of the cottage where Love
lay dead, and smoked his old pipe
disconsolately.
Tho gate latch clicked softly.
Jack lifted his head and looked
down the path. Someone dressed in
white was coming slowly toward him,
. rather dropping, sorrowful figure.
He sat frozen to silence.
She came nearer. nearer, and at
last knelt on the steps and held out
two slender arms.
He saw that the hands were ring
less. Weatherby's ring was gone.
Jack" whispered Nancy in
hrok ON LITTLE voico ssdont shut mn ou<
Of Loves cottage. have told them
all that cannot marry Mr.. Weather.
by-and father says need not. My
heart is breaking for you-and the
cottage-and the garden that was to
be ours-and for Love! Come home
with me-and tell them"
She was helpless now. but his arms
were about her.
Dearest" he whispered, Love il
here-Love is not dead after ALL"
Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-