The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-30

she might love him in time. The
prospect of becoming his wife would
have dazzled most girls in her posi-.
ton. 1t would be madness to throw
away this matrimonial prize.
Let us find quiet spot where we
can talk" he pleaded presently. Il
have something particular to say to
you"
Lois gave frightened gasp. Clan
cling around, as if for protection, she
saw her cousin suddenly change color.
stare right ahead with tense express
sion, then wheel about and come
swiftly toward her.
I'm faint-ill! These rooms are
sitting" Virginia painted. please
take me home, Mr.. Vance. Lois, get
your wraps and come quickly"
But Lois suspicious had been
aroused by this sudden indisposition.
CHANGING curiously toward the upper
end of the long room she saw a tall.
distinguished-lookin man talking an
imatedly with their hostess. 1t was
Ward Winthrop!
One long-drawn, startled breath.
and the girls sweet lips came to-
gether In straight line A dozen
thronging emotions all at once re-
solved themselves into fixed deter
mination, Virginia put out detain-
ing hand, but she shook 1t or
II mean to know the TRUTH" she
said in resolute voice.
Have you no pride-no shame?"
Virginia cried angrily. After that
mans shabby treatment"
Ward Winthrop flushed, then
paled, when he saw her coming. His
eyes had been drawn to her face as
by magnet Something in her ex-
preston quickly changed his cold nod
of recognition into a cordial hand
clasp.
You, Lois? What surprise! I'm
delighted to see you again"
He looked at her wistfully, with
curious intentness. Mrs. Vandyke,
conscious of something unusual in the
situation, discreetly turned away. The
Lois could hear the pounding of her
own heart above the throb of the mu-
sic, the babble Of gay voices; but the
mans eager face swan mistily before
her eyes.
Lois, dear, what is it, he bent to
whisper. "Do you feel that you made
a mistake in not answering my letter
two years ago."
Your letter." she repeated. Il re-
ceived no letter from you"
81 wrote the morning I left Surry.
giving the address to which an answer
was to be sent. was called away
Unexpectedly. | hadn't time to come
and bid you goodby. l asked you in
that letter II you would marry me
when I won out l watched the mails
for many days, but no answer ever
came. OF course, l concluded you had
taken that way to let me know my
hopes were futile"
| A sudden brightness went over
Lois face like flood of spring sum
shine.
our lelleT HtNtI I'dCutu HlOs
Ward" she said softly. Il think un.
derstand why"
What would you have answered II
It had?" he interrupted eagerly That
Is what matters. can ask you to
| marry me with clear conscience.
For I have made good! Fame and
! fortune are mine | love you more
than ever Have any chance of win
ming what is of greater consequences
| to me than anything else in the whole
| world?"
Lois glanced back to where Gordon
Vance and Virginia were standing, and
SILVER went over her The next
| moment she was smiling happily into
| her lovers face. "Oh, Ward, you did
not come too soon," she said in a Sob
| bling whisper. Il was at the parting
of the ways | might have taken the
one that led forever away from you!'