The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-26
HIS UNSELFISH LOVE
BY VICTOR REpcLIFFE.

Copyright, 1915. by w. c. Chapman)
WELL" faltered Cynthia. 'as you
have seen the photograph"
Yes. of Richard Graydon-go on,
DEAR" pleaded Leila eagerly.
We've are engaged"
Leila sprang up with wild shrek
of Joy. She clasped her arms about
Cynthia, her eyes dancing with sim
cere appreciation of the announce
ment
"Oh, my dear, am so delighted"
she said. Il was afraid you were 60
ing to fade away into a settled old
widow"
Il have been one for two years, you
know" intimated Cynthia, and there
was a species of anxious entreaty in
her voice, land, Leila-I was starving
for love! love, love!"
Her very Utmost soul burst the
leaden trammels of years at this wild
outburst. Cynthia fell to weeping in
the arms of her plying and loyal
friend.
mo woman was ever a truer wife"
said Leila earnestly, your new hap
piness is your reward"
I It seemed true. Four years pre-
vious, through the arts of maneuver-
ing mother Cynthia had given up her
girlhood's fondest dreams and had
married Professor Russell, wealthy
old scientist. There was no love in
the union. The professor was alb
sorbed in his work and was away
travelling most of the time, but he was
very proud of his beautiful wife. Gym
thia was faithful helpmeet and duty
made up for the lack of affection
Two years passed by when Cynthia
found herself wealthy widow. Pro-
fessor Russell had been making some
scientific explorations in Nicaragua
when a rebellion broke out. He and
his valet, one Dorkins, were reported
killed in an ambush.
Cynthia felt that the freshness and
Joy Of life were past until she met
Richard Gray don. 1t had been a case
Of love at first sight. 1t seemed as II
the subdued affection of her depressed
nature budded all at once. There was
70 be quiet wedding and Cynthia AMI
Richard felt that the fullness Of life
had come to them at last.
Never were two persons more fifty
mated. Cynthia was in the prime Of
young womanhood. Richard was Il
model Of perfect manhood. Blissful
happiness and peace seemed insured
for those two ingenious beings wheB
the unexpected came with the sudden.
ness Of thunder crash.
A hasty agitated call came over the
telephone to Richard one day.
1T is Miss Lane" was spoken in
fluttering accents. please come to
my home at once"
Richard found the friend of his
fiancee in a distracted state. She was
pale and trembling She simply
handed him telegram. It was from
Tehalca. Nicaragua. 1t was signed
James Russell and It ran:
Escaped after dreadful peril. Wire
me five hundred dollars to return"
"Then-then he is alive" hoarsely
uttered Richard, white to the lips.
eyes" replied Leila, and she pitied
the strong man battling to show COM
posture. "Oh. Mr.. Graydon! l have
just come from Cynthia. She is
crushed, she says she must gee YOU"
Il do not dare!" spoke Richard, his
hands clenched to emphasize his
strong resolution. Tell her. the true
faithful wife, the good woman that
she IS, that 1t is duty now-clear and
sufficient. Tell her have gone away
not to forget, but to cherish"
Then Richard Graydon became a
wanderer. He wondered if it was a
trick of fate that his journeyings a
year later brought him to the city Of
Tehalca. He stood near its prison
fields gloomily regarding a file of
shackled convicts pass by. One only
Of the number was not a native.
"Who is that man." Richard casual.
ly asked the guard.
"Ah. that" volunteered the volatile
Official. 1t is Dorkins-he of the Rus.
sell case. Both he and his master
were supposed killed in the revolu.
ton, but this one escaped after rob-
bling his dead employer. Later he
sent false telegram to the wife of
Professor Russell to secure money and
was unmarked"
Then Cynthia is free!" breathed
Richard. and that night a telegram
few North bearing the simple words:
Shall I come to your
One day. two days-no reply. Had
Cynthia forgotten him? All, she
might write! A week passed by.
Richard gave up hope.
One afternoon a servant appeared
at his room, where he sat lost in a
subdued reverie.
"A caller, below. sir" the mental ad.
vised him.
As he entered the parlor OF the III
tie hotel a lady, veiled, arose to greet
him. He advanced with inquiry in his
face.
Richard"
The veil was thrust aside. With ex.
tended arms and beaming eyes Gym.
thia Russell confronted him.
You! You!" he gasped, and