The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-17
An1oMETTE'S KNIGHT
BY KEITH KENYON.

/
lily down the green vistas of the old
rectory garden.
Hello, grille" called a tender
voice and Antoinette's dream fed as
her lowered glance encountered Bob
by Ortlepp's frank gray eyes. Think
ing of me?" he asked softly. as he
stepped under the window.
Antoinctte stared at him resentfully.
Bobby's plain face. rough tweeds
and villainous old pipe were rude
awakening from dreams of Sir Gala
had of romantic charm.
What's the NATTER" asked Bobby
quickly.
oh, nothing-only I'm tired OF
everything" sighed Antoinette.
Except me- added Bobby, rushing !
blindly to his fate
Antoinette was twisting her engage
ment ring around her slim finger. The
diamond flashed and almost dazzled
Bobby's quick glance.
Except me?" he repeated logged
ly.
At that moment the ring slipped
from Antoinette's finger, touched the
window sill and then bounded into the
bed of forset-me-nots.
oh" cried Antoinette, forced back
, into the disagreeable present.
| Bobby's face crimsoned and then
went gray as ashes.
He bent down and searched the for
get-me-nots for the lost. ring. At last
he found it and held 1t toward her
There was a queer expression in his
honest eyes.
Would you rather not wear 1t
again, Antoinette?"
Antoinette tilted back her head and
an imp of perversity whispered in her
ear.
'Really"-shc managed to assume
slightly bored eXpression-"really,
Bobby, l don't especially care"
Very WE'LL" cut in Bobby. turning
on his heels. Good afternoon"
He str,d, toward the hedged path,
passing the splashirg fountain. With
vicious motion of his hand he sent
the sparkling jewel into the air, to fall
and lie hidden in the water that filled
the deep basin.
MY ring!" gasped Antoinette, star
ing after Bobbys form as he tramred
down the path. He did not turn
around.
There goes twentieth century
knight" she laughed shakingly.
Fancy Sir Galahad going of In s,
pet like that!
"Bobby did rot stay long, dear,
oh served the rector as they sat down
at dinner. He was a mild-eyed. mild
, hammered man, and he quite ap-
proved of Bobby Ortlepp.
Mrs. Carey looked concerned.
u suppose he had to be at the hos
pital on time," she said.
Hospital" asked Antoinette, go
ing quite pale for NO apparent rea
l son.
: "Yes-he told you, dear, Of course.
"No-o-o," said Antoinette. H,
didn't stay long. Is he ill.,"
The rector shook his head. NO
child, but you know young Henry
| bldu, tue lOIcINhu III DoOOy iuS
tory. is at deaths door with anemia
As last resort, they are going t.
y. try TRANSMISSION Of blood. Bobby of
|. fered himself and was accepted. HI
: came in and told US and then sait
a he was looking for you. He wanted
y to tell you about it,
: He didn't say word" said An
T. tu- NM
q danger, father?"
Il hardly think SO, dear"
% rs It to be tonight?" asked An
!. toinette timidly.
a ut was to be at FIVE o'clock.
O must telephone the hospital and flint
" out the result" said her father. fin
y Thing his coffee.
a Eyes, father" she said mechanical
% ly, and then left the room abruptly
N
o Antoinette haunted the garde
1t paths that eveniIr. 1t seemed to he
h that TO matter which way she wen
a she saw Pobby's white. unhappy fac
Is as he left her in anger. 1t was al
Is 80 unnecessary, too, for she had brol
W en- her troth only in a moment q
d. caprice.
a. At last, standing disconsolate b.
1t side the fountain, 1t occurred to he
~ suddenly to make an attempt to r.
ID cover her ring. She groued Wild
n for the jewel until the sleeve Of he
C. white gown was drenched.
1t At that moment there seemed
lie her to be only one desirable thing !
lie the world to be accomplished-to r.
e, cover the ring and restore II to he
10 finger.
Is With this thought racing dizzil
ne through her head, it was small VOL
"a der that Antoinettc lost her balanc
~ and went plump into the wide basil
III "Girlie!" sounded a blessedly fami
IL lar voice, and then strong arr
r. grasped her scarcely submerged fcrl
hs and drew her from the basin. An
W Bobby's one serviceablo arm manage
VA to hold her tightly to his breast.
~ I've got it," she sobbed hysferica
;" ly, her check against his.
!" Got what, girlie?"
This" She held up her left han
and the moonlight fell on the spa
king stone Of her engagement rim
an Il was o fool. Antoinette," he viii