The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-27

tears. The lights before the opera
house were all blur. She was glad
to creep into the shelter Of a taxicab,
and hide those traitor tears, even
from his sight. Why hould he scold
her so? 1t seemed as If everybody
scolded her nowadays.
Give you q happy time," he re-
peated. through his set teeth. Marry
you on to the man with the best map
of his present holdings. Dick said
he heard his mother say she hoped
Grace would succeed in launching
you. Why, sweetheart. your father,
the blessed old colonel, would kick
the top of his casket this minute If
he knew about this"
They mean well, Carter" Leslie
said slowly. Were awfully poor.
You know that"
But, Lord Harry, SO are we, dear.
What does that matter? Haven't
we got the dear old ruins that stand
for home, and all the splendid acres
that we love every foot of. Can't
we raise enough to eat at our own
tables. and feed the guest who hon
ors us by staying under the rooftree?
rather guess We can. Wouldn't
you rather marry me, and come to
be mistress at White Chimneys, and
see me go to the legislature as my
father and grandfather did, and come
back with the same sort of a name I
took there? Wouldn't you. Leslie?"
! The taxi had slipped across town
to Madison avenue and up toward
the park. 1t looked dewy and mys-
terious and alluring. Leslie could
have blessed the chauffeur when he
turned into its shadowy roads after
a long silence. Someway, several
things had happened during that
silence. Carter had taken her in his
arms, white velvet cloak and all.
and had tried to kiss her. But she
was a shy sweetheart, and very eva
sive when it came to facing the real
issue. She hid her head resolutely
on his shoulder, and merely said
very forcefully: "Carter!" Carter
ceased striving and was silent
thankful that she even permitted
his arm about her.
Then the taxi suddenly appeared
to stand on it's hind legs. At least
that was Carriers description Of II
later. 1t rammed into something
reared and toppled over on the grass
sward
Don't you dare give my name,
Leslie whispered as she found her
self safe and being lifted out in Car
ters arms. The other car was badly
damaged. So was the other chauf
feur. 1t was an empty car, speeding
sodth. Carter was very busy ex
planning things to the mounted pc
liceman. while his chauffeur rightet
the taxi.
whatever did you tell him?" aske,
Leslie. as he rejoined her, and the,
walked slowly over to the east en-
trance.
Il told him anything to keep from
being taken down to the night cour
with you, dear" he told her. IL hat
to protect you. you. know. 1t said m.
wife and I were here from Virginia
and leaving In the morning | hopet
We would not be detained as wit
nesses He said he would hold tn,
chauffeur"
Your wife," repeated Leslie slow
ly "How queer that sounds, Carter
What If it were true? What If 1t wer,
all over and settled? | wonder wha
Grace and mother would say"
What could they say, except tina
you had dared to choose your owl
husband. There's cab. Shall hal
it?"
Il would rather walk. The park,
the only natural thing I've seen 81
far / love 1t tonight Go on talk
ing"
viii you marry me tonight, Les
lie?" His arm was around her again
They were in the heavy shadows O
the trees. Leslie lifted her face unit
her lips brushed his chin.
Not tonight, dear Tomorrow
And then we'll go back home, where
we belong. We're not even make be
lieve New Workers.. Carter. We're
pathfinders on a new road to happi