The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-18
THE GREATER LOVE
BY cLARISSA MAcKIE.

Uncle Gregory waved his arms in a
I gesture of dismissal
Very well, Roy, marry the girl if
you wish to ruin your career. have
/ financed your art studies to the point
where all you need is a couple years
OF perfect freedom abroad, where you
can absorb the best there is in paint
ing and sculpture. Then, and then
only, will you be able to throw your
self into the work and produce. per-
/ haps, masterpiece-for, boy, you can
I, paint"
Roy Benton listened and knew that
! his uncle spoke the truth, but his
heart rebelled.
There was Eve Alison, to whom he
had been engaged for many months.
His acceptance of Uncle Gregory's
offer meant their marriage must be
postponed for two years He would
not let her decide, for women were
self-sacrificing. but she must be told
OF Uncle Gregory's ultimatum, so she
could understand why he was going
to give up his painting and return to
the profitable, though inglorious, bust
ness of commercial art-the illustrat-
ing Of high-class advertisements. He
could earn enough to support them in
comfort, and some day he might be
able to save enough to pay for his
trip abroad-with Eve, of course
when he would take time to paint the
great picture Silence" that had found
form in his fancy
Anyway, he would have Eve and
Eve Alison would make up for every
thing else, even for the abandonment
of a career Eve was poor, a self
supporting girl who was making her
lonely way in New York She had
been a bookkeeper in that great ad.
vertising company which was anxious
to secure more of Roy's work
Oh, there was absolutely no choice
in the matter! Roy shrugged his
shoulders and told Uncle Gregory just
how matters stood 'Tll marry her
now and 60 back to illustrating ad-
vertisements," he told the old man.
VERY well, Roy. marry her now and
you need never expect penny of my
money. I'll leave it all to the Puddi.
ford Orphan asylum won't take
your final decision now. Go and tell
the girl what I've said and let her
decide
Roy picked up his hat and left his
uncle without another word He was
n OF ciy ~ h2x
were to dine together at a quiet little
restaurant. His mind was entirely
clear as to what course he should fol-
low. He was in a rage with Uncle
Gregory. How dared the cynical old
man insinuate that Eve-whom he
had never seen and whose name he
did not even know-would refuse to
marry Roy II she found he was not
his uncles heir?
Eve, cool and fresh in her white
frock and smart little hat, looked
across the table at her big lover with
hazel eyes meltingly lovely. Her clear
olive skin was pink-tinted, and her
dark hair. delicately arched brows and
roseleaf lips made her look like an ex-
Quisitcly painted - 1nese miniature.
"Well?" she asked, when their
greetings were over.
''We will be married at once-next
week." he said, finality in his tone.
And. Eve, darling, l hope you won't
mind very much II ! 60 back to Den
bigh's."
u.iI
'Denbigh's?' she faltered. And give
up your career-give up 'Silence'?"
He nodded. And give up Uncle
Gregory's help, too. He thinks that
ought to travel for a couple Of years.
and l simply don't see 1t that way. A
wife and home look good to me.
darling. We will be just as happy in
our humble way. eh?"
All the lovely light died out of Ewes
| eyes and left them dark and brooding.
| Her face was white and wistful and
her little hands were tightly clinched
in her lap At last her pale lips spoke.
II think you are very foolish to an
tagonize your uncle, Roy-and-and-
I've been thinking for some time that
our engagement was a mistake-a bit
ter mistake-and-you will understand
f., some day Good-by."
f; She picked up her gloves and van.
ished from the table before he had
time to rise. His bewildered eyes saw
on the white cloth the little pearly en-
/ gagement ring which had plighted
their troth.
So Eve had only cared for Uncle
Gregorys money after all. The old
man had been right-of course, his
| years Of experience would endow him
with an understanding of women.
Roy groaned bitterly, put the ring
in his pocket, called for his check and
went back to Uncle Gregory.
On the deck Of the great liner which
was to bear Roy away, Uncle Greg
DRY uttered a last word Of advice
Seek the silences. my lad-in the
loneliness Of the Sahara, the temples
Of India, the great bronze Buddha al
Kamakura-and your picture. will
come to you!"
Roy smiled cynically. As IL he
could ever see any other picture save
that sudden. woebegone face of the
girl he loved! And he would not for
get tit would be his amulet against
the charms Of women the rest of his
life.
Mr. Gregory Benton's little nut
cracker face looked more irritatet
than usual as he spoke to the pro
prietor Of certain art store which
had handled several of Roy Benton'i
charming little studies Of peasan