The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-21

en- from whom she had fed stood
laughing before her. and Mrs. Gallo
way, never slow of speech, rallied her.
We'll! l see now why you were in
such hurry to get home! How many
beaux you got. any way? Don't blame
you for sneakin' off to meet a good
lookin' man like Robert jackson. but,
say, who's the good-lookin' other fellow
down the road apiece, who asked us
the way to your house? There he
goes now, up to your porch. We told
him you was comm. Who is he?"
Cynthia laughed, but a queer pre-.
sentiment gripped her.
Perhaps he wants to sell some
thing. or insure the house. or me-
or any one of thousand things. I'm
going to see." she said pleasantly.
She started past them when Mrs.
Galloway broke out in a new place
Guess one or two of us ought to 60
with yea stranger like that"
Anger and perplexity shone in
Cynthia's face as she turned to look
at the woman, but Robert Jackson
came to her rescue He took his
stand beside her.
Il think a man would be better
I'll go with her. and you need not go
to the trouble, Mrs. Galloway" His
firm. courteous tone was dismissal
that would have no denial.
Calling a good-by to the women
Cynthia and her escort came to the
gate. The little house was set far
back in green yard, and up near
the house the stranger. seeing her
approach. stood and waited. Some.
thing in his bearing disturbed, al.
most smothered her.
I'm afraid think-it's some one
I used to know" she faltered. There
was something in her face that sent
! both fear and hope to the heart OF
the man beside her. He stood in her
way moment.
Cynthia" he said. now is my
time to speak! If this is a man whom
you once thought you cared about-it
he has left you alone all these years
without the sternest of good reasons
don't allow yourself to think you
still love him, unless you really dc
now for what he is now An old
flame is not always as good to warm
your heart at as a new one. You're
sure of me. Cynthia. Now-shall
60 away. Or"
Her thought chung to him, but there
was that about Mark that had always
fascinated and held her. Now it left
her weak and trembling.
"You might come with me, Rob
ert." For the first time she had
unconsciously used his name.
Together they went to meet Marx
Carter He came toward her with q
smile, medium of height, Of good
bearing. the old half-insolent. conf
dent look on his handsome fair face
look that had better become Mark
the boy than Mark the man. He held
out his hand.
Cynthia" he said. uncovering his
head with its fair. heavy hair. 81
have come back. You knew I would
come back. didn't your"
"How-could - I know? You -
didn't write," she faltered the words
out in her excitement. unaware that
she was not introducing the two
men.
ut took me long time to make
good. I wouldn't come to woman
mpty-handed-and I haven't" There
was little swagger in his voice and
manner. "And-women are faithful
I knew that YOU"
"You knew" she said quietly
that you went away and left me-
caring for you. but not even really
engaged-you never asked me tc
marry you-and still you expected
me to wait-without even a word, to
spend my life waiting until YOU
He came closer, the old light in hi
face, triumph in his voice.
but you have waited!"
/ Cynthia's glance met the gaze oil
| Robert Jackson and found in him q
refuge.
81 have not" she said, for Robert
had come close and had taken heI
hand as lasting possession into his
Mark Carter looked at them silently
moment. 81 am going to marry
Robert Jackson"
"Well," answered Mark Carter, -
guess | deserved 1t all right. / guess
he's worth it-and l have learned tc
know men. Cynthia. Good-by." Ht
turned and walked away.
| Copyright, 1912. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)