The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-16
WRAPPED in |
PINK PAPER

- -
PINK PAPER
~ MARloN GORDON
(Cepyrisht. 1919. b. Assoeissed Literary Prssal
Helena Brooke dew to the tele-
phone.
"Yes?" she asked expectantly.
~Dear," said her lovers voice, I'm
sorry that cannot come tonight.
May ! come tomorrow evening In
stead?"
why not this EVENING"" pouted
Helena.
"Oh. becausei" he cried gayly. I'll
tell you another dime. It's secret
Just now"
Jack! Very Welcome tomor-
TOW evening II you have nothing bet
ter to DO" and decidedly out Of tenn
per Helena hung up the receiver. cut
ting OF Jack Henshaws words with
clicking sbruptness.
Up in her own pretty room Helena
locked the door and sank into a big
chair beside the window. It was bad
enough that Jack should have set
aside her special invitation for that
evening-it was her birthday and he
did not know it. Her mother had
asked Bridget to make birthday
cake, and 1t was to be brought In dur
ing the evening decorated with spun
sugar and candles.
Helena's married sister, Dorcas
Wade, and Frank Wade. her husband,
were coming over and Frank had
promised to bring his cello. Jack
Henshaw's violin occupied per-
manent place now on Helena's plano
and she had planned an impromptu
concert. This was all to be sur
prise to Jack.
Now Jack had spoiled 1t all by
begging OF from the invitation.
Helena felt positive that he was 60
ing of somewhere with that horrid
Ned Speedle, who had a little place
down on Long Island where he main
tanned kennels of which he might
we'll be proud, for they bore ma
tional reputation. Ned Speedle also
owned low, vicious-looking gray
racing automobile in which he was
won't to tear around the countryside.
Helena Brooke was positive that
Jack was going off on some mad ride
with Ned Speedle. Why he should
do this she could not understand. be-
cause Speedley was not at all to Jacks
,, taste; but he had spoken Of the wild
motorist several times lately and had
expressed a desire to visit the ken
nels at Dogwood.
The birthday evening was not en-.
tirely a successful occasion, although
! Helena herself was bright and gay.
Dorcas and Frank came and played
and sang. but Helena sat mutely
thoughtful while the music drifted
through the rooms.
Bridget's entrance with the cake
was . welcome intrusion, and after
they had eaten of the cake. the
| Wades went homo. and Helena was
free to seek her chamber and weep
into her pillow.
1t was not 20 much his not being
there. she told herself, It was the fact
he had deliberately put another
pleasure before the delight Of being
with her.
The next day she nourished bitter
resentment toward Jack Henshaw
until she believed that his indiffer-
ences had killed her love.
Late in the afternoon she rum.
mayed through her writing desk and
gathered all Of Jack Henshaw's pre-
cious letters into q pocket. One let
ter she kept out-that, In spite OF her
jealous anger. she decided to keep;
she could burn 1t after one more
perusal. Its tender words would
then reveal anew to her the perhdy
of man-and emphasize the fortunate
escape she had had from man who
preferred the dubious company Of
Ned Speedie to that Of the girl he
was engaged to!
SO Helena tied the letters In q
fresh sheet Of pink tissue paper. tied
the square package with q bit Ol
pink ribbon, and tucked the letter.
away In q drawer In her desk ready
to give to Jack Henshaw when hi
should come that night. She had al
ready written . brief note to hin
telling him TO bring her letters with
him when he came.
I Jack Hsnshaw obeyed her behes
to come ct eight O'Clock. and his frank
handsome face was puIsled when bill
eyes met the GOODNESS In hers.
4 what IL the matter, Nell?" h
asked bluntly.
Helena tried to be calm. but he
voice shook when abe spoke. +"
asked you to come last night-yo,
preferred to enjoy the company Of
How did you know that" de
manded Jack.
Il knew" returned Helena will
more assurance. II wanted you Il
come last night because 1t was m.
birthday and wanted you" sh'
was obliged to stop or betray he
weakness.
Your birthday was yesterday?
!. he stammered. "Why-I thought
! was today-and L"
Helena was not listening to him
} She was bracing herself to meet
tragic moment. "Jack-Mr. Her
shawl am sure we have made
, great mistake. / know l have, an,
? am sure that shall never be happ
with you-I-I-am sorry, but