The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-28
where REASON RULES
BY HOPE AINSLlE.

There's a girl up home, Betty Rod
erts. and we used to pc rather sweet
IN each other. We both went to the
same church and the academy, anu ,
suppose l did write letters to ner' anu
an on when l was seventeen Vi
around there. Mother likes her anu
she's always said I'd marry Betty.
Last wear l went after that concession
and met Mrs. Leonard. she loaneu
her collection of Chinese porceiains
tn the exhibit and give you my woro,
Uncle Ted, from the instant we iookeu
at each other ! didn't give a rap
whether I ever saw Betty or any otn-
er woman as long as lived.
Good locker, Jack? -
"She's lust divine" Jack spoke ier'
vently. reverently. She's been wid-
NV for four years; married at nineteen
to brute |
"Au eood-looking widows husbands
were brutes," murmured the "a'oi'
go on.
THAT'S all. ! told her loved her
and she was giving me at ieas.
chance until mother came out 10 FITS
co and oueered the whole thing. she
met Mrs. Leonard at Aunt Anna s. anu
told her l was an impressionapie poy,
a perfect slave to sympathy anu al
that rot. always used to being petted'
} etc. Finally showed her Bettys pic
tire as the little girl sweetheart back
, East waiting for me to get through
Nv travels You know the way she
can nut a thing over with that tone
of her voice and her eyes. Weil'
J didn't have a chance after she had
left. Dolores left for Santa baroara
: the next day.
"Humph," unused the major. mo"
abe comes here. Did she know you
> were with me at the Springs!
mo, sir. We haven't written. :.
"Well, I don't blame you, mlnd
Jackie. She wonderfully attractive
a woman. And you're twenty-slx, w.
Il know. old enough to toddle wltnou
~ the maternal apron strings. l shouie
saw. Lucia is a fine woman, gooo Bis
ter to me, but still-what's this bett!
- like?"
e. ooh she's all right" said Jacl
IN vaguely. -.
"There goes the widow" said tn
- major, suddenly leaning FORWARD
Cad, she can ride!"
~ Jack vaulted the veranda rail an
p- made for the mounting stone TO met
We the chestnut mare as she galloped U
nd the shore road. His voice was
husky when he spoke to Mrs. Leonar
ao slim and erect in her black habit, N
hair wind blown around her race III
no ewes dark and evasive as he leah'
y" toward her. :,
ion Don't 20 in yet" he begged as u
ain how took the bride. Il must spe'
to to YOU. You've avoided me ever SIN
I'd YOU found | was here. dolores
"Hush Jack. Someone will he
you, you foolish boy
It'll Don't cali me a boy" he swu
'or- back miserably. I'm not. Col
len, along the pine road just a little WI
No. You wouldn't speak to me hardly
for lunch. | know you were sorry e'
to see me here
"Oh, no, was not. 1t was pie
ant surprise, really 1t was, JACK.
al "A pleasant surprise. 1t made
the perfectiy mad to see you again
attic ."rhe train service to Santa /
ates bara is quite regular" she said
e. murely.
.,u "You wouldn't have seen me.
W. left without a word. You believed
u cry last thing mother told you al
{ oh me and Betty.
pub "Dd II"
mer- "You cared; didn't you? Even tho
YOU went away. Never nina bet'
ybite haven't thought of anyone IN
world nut you for the last six mon
Uncle Ted took me under his wing
'ami- on 49, couth hecause l we
The fit tor anything else"
wing She smiled, leaning forward al
crushed her hands IN his, ana gu
other softly undel her breath
ling, had not dreamt that love would
Alex Yet here he fingers many DAY.
sters; Don't 90 away from me again
Boil ,ores. / swear III follow you TINS
R;cb- to the ends OF the world
,lling, one iaueAo1'
'ilson, ..Oh Iocr lack why didn't yo
!. An low me then if you really cared.
S sis The major came leisurely to
Mrs them the late afternoon mail !
m G. hands.
:, "By George, Jack boy, here's
i''e''' Good afternoon, Mrs. Leonard.
above; 49, 49,. o,oned with Batcheller
= tne lips Saturday.
Miami u know Betty" said Dolores
I'VE are distant cousins ou
writes to me-
Yes? Writes to Jack. too
rinciple saw. Here's one with return
Cleanli- il, Mrs. Batcheller Phiilips'
, clean ineton, d. c., Hotel Grosvenor'
n,;nas the news to us, Jackie
-, Jack opened the letter with
pii i'u"'' and then smiled He handed II
mil ,ores. 1t was typIcaily Betty.
dren to
ar, Dear Jack: / know what ever
vain cav. md don't care. I've alwa'
work is Batty and "a nKe 10 % N's So we're
may be I'm lust as sick and tired as you
md as a forever being hurie t, a, Nv cousin,
in mind won ali kinds of luck Happily,
it sends
God will racks shoulders uncons
buoyant straightened. He turned resoi
the wear the major.
4 "a