The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-13
SyLv|A'S TWO LETTERS
By DONALD ALLEN.

oVeri l cannot De true W uiy Soii 'NN
marry a man who believes me false.
l would rather go unloved to the
grave than be the slave Of jealous
man. And although confess that
can never love again-that l shall al
way love him-I shall not marry Rob-
ert Lorson. ! am sending back his
ring tonight. You need not finish your
pink chiffon. l shall not need any
bridesmaids Do come to visit
me and cheer your broken-hearted
Sylvia"
Sylvia wiped her eyes and wrote
another letter-a very short one:
Dear Mr.. Lorson-You understand
why am returning your ring.
Yours sincerely,
SYLVIA MOORE"
Madge Fenton read her letter with
wide-open eyes.
Robert Lorson read his with slowly
whitening face. With compressed
lips he laid it down and stared at it
for q long time.
The box containing the engagement
ring he tossed into a drawer of his
desk.
Sylvia" said her married sister one
day, what has become of Bob"
Really" said Sylvia indifferently
Il haven't the slightest idea"
Mrs. Jameson stared at her. What
has happened? You have quarreled?"
she asked quickly.
I'VE are no longer engaged" ex-
planned Sylvia. you see, Lisa, Bob
is terribly iealous-he was frightfully
angry because I talked so much to
that delightful Mr. Enright. the nov
elist. He was actually rude to me"
you were flirting" accused Lisa,
bluntly.
mot at all, fiared Sylvia, notify
Then you really meant all you
looked at Mr.. Enright?' asked the old
er woman slowly.
well" Sylvia's voice broke.
L
not bit surprised that Bob was
angry. But as long as you don't care
If the broken engagement is well
come relief to you, dearie, l am glad
for your sake" Lisa bent and kissed
her sister and walked toward the door
by the way. dear, had a glimpse
Of Bob this afternoon-he was having
tea at Berry's--with Madge Fenton."
She vanished.
"Madge Fenton!" Sylvia's voice
wavered into little sob. She was
her dearest friend, and Sylvia knew
that If there was one other girl in
the world who tancisd Bob Lorson
It was Madge Fenton: anu .ow
Madge, taking advantage of Sylvias
confidence, was making herself agree.
able to Bob.
A few days later, while scanning
the morning paper. Sylvia read a mar.
riage notice-Robert Lorson and
Madge Fenton had been married
quietly the day before and were sail
ing at once for a voyage around the
world.
Sylvia. with face afiame and heart
Of ice, laughed at her own reflection
In the mirror.
Liar! Coward! Cheat" she
tainted herself.
Robert Lorson came back to
America alone. His bride was rest
ing In an unknown grave In some Al
pine crevasse.
Long months afterward Sylvia met
him riding in the park. The scene
OF their meeting was a sheltered
bridlepath Both drew rein.
Then Robert poured out his heart to
her and asked her to marry him. He
had never ceased to love her. he con-
fessed. He did not attempt to excuse
his hasty marriage to Madge Fenton;
that explained itself.
You will not want to marry me
when l tell you all, Robert" said Syl-
via gravely. Then she told him about
the two letters she had sent.
"Of course l realized that you had
made mistake" he said eagerly. AS
soon as l read the opening line and
saw 1t was intended for Madge re-
folded 1t and sent 1t to her. I'll ad-
NIT l was tempted to read all of IT,"
And Madge exchanged letters with
your" asked Sylvia in a mufiled tone.
He nodded. "She asked me to meet
her at Berry's. We had tea together
and exchanged letters"
And SO you didn't read the letter
I wrote to Madge?"
Certainly not-how could II"
L want to tell you what l wrote to
her." went on Sylvia in a strained
voice, and because the letter was
written in fire on her memory she re-
peated it word for word.
If | had read it all, darling. I
would have come to you at once" he
said tenderly. II thought you didn't
care"
I am not worthy Of you." she said
brokenly. linked up those letters
Intentionally. I sent Sylvia's to you
because l was too proud to confess
myself In the wrong. but l wanted
you to know that loved you in spite
OF all did not appreciate that you
had higher code of honor-that YOU
would not read what was not intend
ed for you. have been punished for
my weakness. Bob-and l do not
blame you If you despair me-" she
sobbed.
His arms were about her.
Il want you more than ever Sv,.