The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-21
4 SLY MANS WDOIk6
BY GEORGE MUNsoN.

tCopyrlght, 1910. by W. q. Chapman.)
Nobody had believed in William
Merritt. He had been a dreamy, inn
aginative boy and had lost half
dozen positions in his native village.
An orphan, brought up by a distant
relative who used him badly, he had
shaken the dust off mis- feet and gone
to the metropolis to earn livelihood.
Ten years later, man of thirty
two. he was national character. His
bridge across the Potomac was consid-
,red triumph of American engineer
ing. The tunnel which he had driven
across the Kill van Kull had been
made the model for all such undertake
ings in America and Europe.
With all his success and wealth he
was still desperately lonely. His sue
cess had been the result of native
genius and application. To his per
sonality the shy man owed nothing.
And there had come to him long
ing to show himself before those who
had jeered him and win their esteem.
lie did net long for any personal
triumph over them.
He thought Of Nettie Haines, the lit
tie girl who had lived across the
street from him. They had been child
hood sweethearts. and he had told her
that one day he would marry her.
doubtless she was married now and
had long ago forgotten him. He
thought Of Saunders, who had dis
missed him from the grocery store;
Boyce, the undertaken. for whom he
had worked during one long week. and
he went back.
He registered at the only hotel the
village boasted and made himself
known to FiaXman, the proprietor. The
man shook hands with him coldly
enough
Glad to see you back again, Mr..
Merritt" he said MIR. Boyce? o. yes,
he's fiourishing. Saunders does the
same old business"
Merritt had been too shy to ask for
Nettie. He made his way up the street
to Boyce's place. The man did not
recognize him at first.
well, I'm glad to see you" he said,
when his visitor had explained his
purpose in calling
Saunders greeting was still more
frosty. lie rccollected Merritt and
was glad he vas doing SO well. As
Merritt turned to leave, with sense
Of establishment in his heart, he saw
a young woman bending industrious.
iy over a heap of bills in Saunders
shop. 1t was Nettie, his old sweet
heart.
lmpulaively he strobe up to her.
Why. Ncttie-Niiss Eaincs!" he ex-
claimed.
She recognized him and her face
grew red. How do you do, Mr.. Mer-
rift" she said dcmurely.
Shy as he was, Merritt managed to
get into conversation with her. I'm
der the watchful glanccs of Saunders
he succeeded in stammering out re
quest to visit her that evening
1T used to be WILL" he said, when
We'll, Will, them" she returned,
laughing. Il do hope you have had
good luck"
He looked at her in amazement
Had she not heard of him? He was
not vain man, but it seemed Incredi-
BILE, when all the newspapers and
magazines had been full of his sue.
cess.
Eyes, have done pretty WE'LL" he
answered slowly.
Il am SO glad to hear it, answered
the girl you have no idea how hor-
rid people are. but | suppose
shouldn't be saying it,
He pressed her to tell him. you
remember how we used to tell each
other everything" he pleaded
Nettie colored slightly. WELL" she
continued, Mr.. Boyce said he sup
posed you had come back to try to get
a job in town, and were dressed up tc
make bluff And he said you'd never
get anything in his place, and NJ.
Saunders agreed that II was the same
as far as he was concerned. felt sc
Inundated. and | am so glad to learn
that it isn't so at ALL"
Merritt was thunderstruck So these
people had never heard of him at all
He had ascribed their GOODNESS to the
natural reserve of little community
instead of which he was, In their eyes
y IT.,
capable. And Nettie did not know
"Nettie," he said. taking her hand
do you remember that time we found
a dime in the road and split it in twf
and we divided it?"
Perfectly, Mr. Merritt" she replied
smiling.
And do you remember what / sale
to you them
NC, William. That part has escaped
nv memory altogether"
would you like me TO remind YOU"
The girls eyes. which had been
downcast, were suddenly raised to his
Il told you that that made us sweet
hearts, and that some day | should
marry YOU" said the man.
He saw that she was trembling, and
In that moment he knew that he had
always loved her, and that it was
providence which had kept him aloof
and uDcontaminated by the world, for
this end only And she did not know
anything of him, of his wealth.
will you marry me, dear?' ne
asked. 81 can support wife in com
fort" he continued whimsically
he drew her into his arms and
kissed her. "you see, | have always