The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-16

again. AT least I couldn't possibly
uii AFTER We were married-and hem
lever esk me again till after rye ex-
piained. and so-and So"
the duhy head sank down to the
arm OF the chair and she sobbed.
Weeks passed and the youth and
the girl passed each other with
aVerted looks or frankly belligerent
s.ares. Once, notably on an evening
VI the fragrant. glamour-filled variety,
the heart Of the youth softened and
ne started out through the moonlit
enchantment toward the porch and
tne wicker chairs. But as he neared
the familiar environment there came
soaring through him the memory of
MS innocent remark and the strange
look and vivid blush that had greeted
IT. His resolution turned to gall with
In him. He drifted aimlessly down a
side avenue, whence he wandered to
the outskirts to sit on a lone rock and
curse fate.
Gradually he began to meet the
maiden and Bennett going about to-
gether. Presently he met her at a
oance. Though she kept far from his
vicinity, and Ter silvery mirth seemed
/ oftenest mingled with BENEFITS bray
ing laughter, he imagined with a
thrill of rising hope that her vivacity
was not quite so genuine, her eyes
not quite SO sparkling bright nor her
beauty so radiantly undimmed as in
the days of his uninterrupted devo-
ton.
Nevertheless rumors began to reach
him that the girl and Bennett were en-.
gagged
There came an October evening
chill and gray. The blood-red rays
OF the setting sun struggled through
banks of stormy cloud, across wind
swept reaches of dead leaves and ur
on wide, vine-hung porch, where
two wicker chairs were drawn stiffiy
apart. In one sat girl, SHINY plair
as to long ulster and jaunty cap, dis
concertingly distant of mien. In the
other sat youth, mournful, Swallowed
of eye, of an ensemble which accorded
cheerlessly with the girl, the night
and the general atmosphere OF ruiz
and decay
Il brought You that autumn foil
age" he was saying bleakly, mot be
cause I thought you would care 70
it, or value it as from one-tim
hut ,hp1 ~
death of our-er-"
Thank YOU" she murmured at
sently
, He leaned back heavily, and tn
wind moaned in dirge-like cadenc
through the deepening gloom.
, 1T was good of you to let ME Sc
you. for the last goodby"
81 had nothing else to do" she al
! mitted with faint regret. "Mr. Bel
nett is out of town."
The youths eyes burned with
dull fury. The fiery rim of the erin
son sun shot an angry gieam at the
feet. Suddenly he leaned FORWARD
cheerless decision in his air.
it, of course" he chanted wearil
Il don't expect you to. But I'm goin
to do it again-just to round the thin
. out and-er-because I'm accustome
TO doing it, and | miss it. Here it l
l love you. I have always loved 20
am going to love you to the bitt'
end. Will you marry me?"
Yes" said the maid.
The sun shot down precipitatel
wrathfully. The youth sat petrifie
immobile. his mouth still partly ope
The girl looked back at him with lev
eyes
81 said you looked silliest doing
q" in the moonlight" she tainted. "Y'
), don't"
why did you blush?" he ask
tendcrly
Annoyance spread over the face
i. the maiden.
20 Il refuse to discuss it," she said
Az Again the mystery, unsolved! +
one fateful moment the heart of t
y youth grew cold with doubt a
Du things threatened to go wrong aga
ne for evermore. Then an illumini
~ thought leaped in. She was going
le' marry him. What mattered 1t?
TO- II have it," he announced ext
e. antly. you were blushing over
ne thought of being silly enough to blu
over Bennett"
i'd Exactly" she murmured with j
es full pride. How clever, dear!
he Then peace and darkness fell.